Association between des-acyl ghrelin at fasting and predictive index of muscle derangement, metabolic markers and eating disorders: a cross-sectional study in overweight and obese adults

ABSTRACT

Background: This study aimed to analyse the impact of des-acyl and acyl ghrelin (AG) on a wide range of muscular and metabolic markers and in order to discover the possible relationships and interactions of des-acylated ghrelin (DAG) on eating disorders.

Materials & Methods: A total of 88 subjects (64 women and 24 men, with a mean age of 43 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.20 ± 3.27 kg/m²) were enrolled in the cross-sectional study.

Results: The findings showed that for each unit of increase of free fat mass index (FFMI), levels of DAG decreased by −41.11 pg/mL (p < 0.05). Moreover, similar associations with DAG were found for insulin (β = −30.67; p < 0.001), leptin (β = −0.64; p < 0.05), body weight (β = −14.36; p < 0.001), and free fat mass (FFM) (β = −30.67; p < 0.001). In addition, associations were found between DAG and resting energy expenditure (REE) (β = −0.84; p = 0.05) and the binge eating scale (BES) in which a unit increase of the BES score Q3 (depression) correlated with a decrease of DAG levels (β = −9.98; p = 0.08). Further, a unit increase of AG/DAG ratio correspond with an increase in body weight (β = 12.20; p < 0.05), BMI (β = 4.70; p < 0.05) and fat mass (β = 7.30; p < 0.05). However, the AG/DAG ratio was not associated with FFMI (β = 2.61; p = 0.165) and FFML/BMI (β = −0,064; p = 0.625).

Conclusion: This study suggests that higher levels of DAG at fasting are indices of poor muscle mass, insulin resistance and depression.

KEYWORDS:

• Ghrelin
• des-acyl ghrelin
• muscle
• leptin
• muscle atrophy
• body composition
• satiety
• energy expenditure

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simone Perna

Simone Perna is Assistant Professor at University of Bahrain.

Daniele Spadaccini

Daniele Spadaccini is resident at ASP Santa Margherita.

Clara Gasparri

Clara Gasparri is resident student at University of Pavia.

Gabriella Peroni

Gabriella Peroni is clinical dietitian.

Vittoria Infantino

Vittoria Infantino is Ph.D student at University of Pavia.

Giancarlo Iannello

Giancarlo Iannello is general manager at ASP Santa Margherita.

Antonella Riva

Antonella Riva are scientific researcher and manager of Indena Spa.

Giovanna Petrangolini

Giovanna Petrangolini are scientific researcher and manager of Indena Spa.

Tariq A. Alalwan

Tariq A. Alalwan is assistant professor at University of Bahrain.

Salwa Al-Thawadi

Salwa Al-Thawadi is Associate Professor at University of Bahrain.

Mariangela Rondanelli

Mariangela Rondanelli is Associate professor at University of pavia.