Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026
07:37
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Operation in Rats
Published on: June 11, 2012
[Lowered ghrelin levels in acromegaly—normalization after treatment]
Jarosław Kozakowski1, Michał Rabijewski, Wojciech Zgliczyński
1Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Department of Endocrinology, Bielański Hospital, Warsaw, Poland.
Endokrynologia Polska
|July 6, 2006
Summary
Serum ghrelin levels are decreased in acromegaly patients and increase after successful surgery but decrease with pharmacotherapy. These findings offer insights into ghrelin
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
- Oncology
Background:
- Ghrelin, a hormone regulating GH secretion and appetite, has a poorly understood secretion pattern in acromegaly.
- Acromegaly, characterized by excess growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), presents unique metabolic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of surgical and pharmacological treatments for acromegaly on serum ghrelin levels.
- To compare ghrelin levels in acromegaly patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Studied 28 acromegaly patients (divided into surgical and pharmacological treatment groups) and a control group of healthy subjects.
- Measured fasting serum levels of ghrelin, GH, IGF-1, insulin, glucose, and calculated HOMA index before and after treatment.
- Assessed body weight and BMI in all groups.
Main Results:
- Acromegaly patients exhibited lower serum ghrelin levels compared to healthy controls.
- Successful surgical treatment led to an increase in serum ghrelin levels.
- Pharmacological treatment (somatostatin analogs) resulted in decreased serum ghrelin levels, despite normalization of GH and IGF-1.
- Negative correlations were observed between ghrelin levels and insulin/HOMA index in acromegaly patients.
Conclusions:
- Serum ghrelin levels are decreased in acromegaly, potentially due to negative feedback mechanisms and GH-induced hyperinsulinemia.
- Ghrelin levels respond differently to surgical versus pharmacological interventions in acromegaly.
- Findings suggest a complex interplay between ghrelin, GH, insulin, and metabolic status in acromegaly.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
01:24Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
01:23Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a significant...
01:15Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
01:27Major Hormones and Their Functions
Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
01:19Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...