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.
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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.