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Thyroid hormones affect plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels
J Kosowicz1, A Baumann-Antczak, M Ruchała
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. endosk2@umed.poznan.pl
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|December 18, 2010
Summary
Thyroid hormones significantly impact ghrelin and obestatin levels. Hypothyroidism increases these hormones, while thyrotoxicosis decreases them, affecting the ghrelin/obestatin ratio.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolism
- Hormone Research
Background:
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolic processes.
- Ghrelin and obestatin are peptide hormones involved in appetite and energy balance.
- The relationship between thyroid status and ghrelin/obestatin levels requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of thyroid hormone excess (thyrotoxicosis) and deficiency (hypothyroidism) on plasma total ghrelin (Gh) and obestatin (Ob) concentrations.
- To compare ghrelin and obestatin levels in patients with altered thyroid function to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was employed to quantify plasma total ghrelin and obestatin levels.
- The study included 24 patients with thyrotoxicosis, 25 hypothyroid patients (post-thyroidectomy for cancer), and 17 control subjects.
Main Results:
- Plasma ghrelin and obestatin concentrations were significantly elevated in hypothyroid patients compared to controls.
- Conversely, both ghrelin and obestatin levels were found to be decreased in thyrotoxic patients relative to controls.
- The ghrelin/obestatin ratio was higher in hypothyroidism than in both control subjects and thyrotoxic patients.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid function status markedly influences circulating ghrelin and obestatin levels.
- Thyroid hormone deficiency is associated with increased ghrelin and obestatin, whereas thyroid hormone excess is linked to decreased levels of both hormones.
- These findings highlight a significant interaction between thyroid hormones and the ghrelin-obestatin system, potentially impacting metabolic regulation.
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