Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations Are Negatively Correlated With Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

• Published in: The American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 348; no. 5; pp. 382 - 386
• Main Authors: Ma, Xiaojun, PhD, Zhao, Yanyan, MD, Wang, Qingzhu, MD, Wu, Lina, MD, Wang, Zhimin, PhD, Ma, Xiaokun, MD, Ren, Gaofei, MD, Zhang, Yinghui, MD, Li, Zhizhen, PhD, Qin, Guijun, PhD, Lu, Jieli, PhD, Bi, Yufang, MD, Ning, Guang, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2014; Copyright by the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Albuminuria - diagnosis; Albuminuria - urine; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers - urine; Creatinine - urine; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - urine; Fasting - blood; Fasting - urine; Female; Ghrelin; Ghrelin - blood; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Obestatin; UACR; Diabetes; UACR; Ghrelin; Obestatin
• ISSN: 0002-9629; 1538-2990
• DOI: 10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000297

Abstract Background Aging is associated with a decrease in appetite, energy intake and glucose tolerance. Experimental studies have suggested that ghrelin and obestatin play a role in glucose homeostasis and in the regulation of energy metabolism. However, few studies have been performed on the role of ghrelin and obestatin in middle-aged and old adults. Methods In the present study, we investigated the plasma concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin in middle-aged (41-64 years) and old (65-76 years) subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (NDD) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). We also characterized the relationship among plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels and glucose/lipid metabolism. The fasting plasma ghrelin and obestatin concentrations were analyzed using enzyme immunoassay method. Results Plasma obestatin concentrations in diabetic subjects were significantly lower than those in NGT subjects. Plasma ghrelin were negatively associated with fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, plasma obestatin level was correlated negatively with systolic blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that UACR was a significantly independent predictor of fasting plasma ghrelin levels. Conclusions Collectively, ghrelin and obestatin levels may be markers reflecting glucose and lipid conditions in NDD. The lower ghrelin levels may be a potential indicator for renal dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.