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The effect of estrogens on plasma ghrelin concentrations in women
K Dafopoulos1, N Chalvatzas, G Kosmas
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Thessalia, Larissa, Greece.
Background:
Data regarding the possible effects of estrogen on ghrelin secretion in humans are limited and contradictory.
Aim:
To investigate the effect of estradiol (E2) on ghrelin levels in normal pre- and post-menopausal women.
Subjects And Methods:
A total of 21 women divided into 3 groups, i.e.13 normally cycling women (no.=7, group 1 and no.=6, group 2) and 8 post-menopausal women (group 3). Women of group 1 received increasing doses of E2 through skin patches from cycle days 3 to 5. Women of group 2, underwent total abdominal hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH+BSO) on cycle day 3. Women of group 3 received po increasing doses of E2 valerate for 15 days. Acylated ghrelin and E2 were measured in all blood samples.
Results:
In group 1, plasma ghrelin levels did not show any significant changes for the week following cycle day 3. In group 2, ghrelin levels were similar before and after TAH+BSO and remained stable during the first 7 post-operative days. In group 3, no significant changes in plasma ghrelin levels were seen during the 15 days of E2 administration.
Conclusions:
The present study demonstrates for the first time that ghrelin values were not affected either by exogenous short-term estrogen administration to pre- and post-menopausal women or following ovariectomy in pre-menopausal women. It is suggested that ovarian hormones are not involved in the regulation of ghrelin secretion in women.
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