New Insights on the Relationship between Leptin, Ghrelin, and Leptin/Ghrelin Ratio Enforced by Body Mass Index in Obesity and Diabetes

Abstract

Currently, adipose tissue is considered an endocrine organ, however, there are still many questions regarding the roles of adipokines—leptin and ghrelin being two adipokines. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between the adipokines and their ratio with obesity and diabetes. Methods: Sixty patients (mean age 61.88 ± 10.08) were evaluated. Cardiovascular risk factors, leptin, ghrelin, and insulin resistance score values were assessed. The patients were classified according to their body mass index (BMI) as normal weight, overweight, and obese. Results: 20% normal weight, 51.7% overweight, 28.3% obese, and 23.3% diabetic. Obese patients had higher leptin values (in obese 34,360 pg/mL vs. overweight 18,000 pg/mL vs. normal weight 14,350 pg/mL, p = 0.0049) and leptin/ghrelin ratio (1055 ± 641 vs. 771.36 ± 921 vs. 370.7 ± 257, p = 0.0228). Stratifying the analyses according to the presence of obesity and patients’ gender, differences were found for leptin (p = 0.0020 in women, p = 0.0055 in men) and leptin/ghrelin ratio (p = 0.048 in women, p = 0.004 in men). Mean leptin/BMI and leptin/ghrelin/BMI ratios were significantly higher, and the ghrelin/BMI ratio was significantly lower in obese and diabetic patients. In conclusion, obesity and diabetes are associated with changes not only in the total amount but also in the level of adipokines/kg/m2. Changes appear even in overweight subjects, offering a basis for early intervention in diabetic and obese patients.

Partial MCT1 invalidation protects against diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the associated brain dysfunction

“…Liver histology confirmed the presence of hepatic steatosis (Figure 1D-E) only in MCT1 +/+ HFDHF/HG mice, which was accompanied by an increase in total brain lipids (supplementary table 1), plasma cytokines (supplementary figure 2D-H), obesityrelated endocrine abnormalities (increase in leptin and insulin, decrease in glucagonlike peptide-1 [GLP-1]) compared to MCT1 +/+ NC controls (supplementary figure 2A-C), recapitulating features observed in obese patients 19 . As previously established, MCT1 +/-HFDHF/HG mice were resistant to hepatic steatosis development 16 17 , systemic inflammation and hormonal abnormalities (Figure 1D-E the centre zone (n=10, 41±5 s, p=0.005) compared to MCT1 +/+ NC controls (n=10, 93±12 s; Figure 2C-D).…”

Association of Gastric Myoelectrical Activity With Ghrelin, Gastrin, and Irisin in Adults With Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity

“…Generally, some studies reported that the ghrelin level was lower in obese patients than that in lean individuals depending on the BMI ( Makris et al, 2017 ) without considering metabolic phenotypes. However, some opinions stated that ghrelin levels were insignificantly different among normal-weighted, overweighed, and obese individuals ( Sitar-Tˇaut et al, 2021 ). These previous reports depend on BMI only in group comparison without considering metabolic phenotypes.…”

Variations of Ghrelin and Obestatin Hormones During the Menstrual Cycle of Women of Different BMIs

“… 35 , 36 However, there is no consensus in the literature in this regard, a recent study showed no significant differences in ghrelin serum concentration between obese and normal-weight people. 37 , 38 …”

“…35,36 However, there is no consensus in the literature in this regard, a recent study showed no significant differences in ghrelin serum concentration between obese and normal-weight people. 37,38 Obestatin, a peptide hormone secreted mainly by the gastric cells, is one of the appetite-regulating hormones. In contrast to ghrelin, which triggers increased dietary intake, obestatin decreases food consumption and body weight through an anorectic effect.…”