Abstract
Background: The utility of ghrelin as a biomarker may be different depending on gender. The aim of this study was to assess ghrelin levels in a population-based sample of adolescents, and to evaluate their association with obesity and obesity-related parameters depending on sex.
Methods: The studied population included 601 randomly selected 14-to 16-year-old children. Anthropometrical data were measured and body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio calculated. Body composition was assessed using an impedance body composition analyzer. Total serum ghrelin levels were determined using a multiplexed bead immunoassay. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA and insulin by RIA.
Results: Ghrelin levels were significantly higher in girls than in boys. Serum ghrelin concentrations were significantly lower (p<0.01) in obese than in normal weight (NW) girls, but showed no differences by weight category in boys. Ghrelin showed a significant negative relationship with waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio and fat mass (p<0.05) in both genders, and with weight and BMI (p<0.01) in girls, and insulin (p<0.01) and HOMA (p<0.05) in boys. Ghrelin also correlated negatively with leptin levels in girls (p<0.01).
Conclusions: Our study describes serum ghrelin levels in adolescents, showing a sexual dimorphism in ghrelin levels in these 14-to 16-year-old children, and a different association of ghrelin levels with obesity by gender that suggests a different appetite and energy expenditure control depending on sex at this age.
Dedicated to the late Prof. Manuel de Oya, as the warmest homage to his memory.
Acknowledgments
This article is dedicated to the late Prof. Manuel de Oya. Prof de Oya designed the Four Province Study and the ideas reflected in our work can be traced back to him. We thank Asha Jois for her revision of the original manuscript.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: This study was supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PI 11/00344, PI 14/00344) and Biobank grant FEDER RD09/0076/00101. The contract of Carmen Garcés is co-financed by the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria.
Employment or leadership: Lorena Ortega and Pilar Navarro are fellows of the Conchita Rábago Foundation.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
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