A preprandial and postprandial plasma levels of ghrelin hormone in lean, overweight and obese Saudi females

Ghrelin is a novel gastrointestinal peptide hormone isolated from human and rat stomach. Ghrelin administration stimulates growth hormone secretion but also causes weight gain by increasing food intake and reducing fat utilization in rodents. This study aims to determine the plasma level of ghrelin under basal condition and in response to a standard meal and to elucidate the relationship between this peptide and anthropometric measures. Body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements were calculated and plasma ghrelin concentrations were determined in 122 obese, overweight and lean Saudi females before and an hour after breakfast. Fasting ghrelin was significantly higher in lean than in obese and overweight subjects and fall after eating in the lean group. There was slight insignificant reduction in circulating ghrelin of the obese and overweight groups. Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with BMI in obese, overweight and lean subjects. Obese subjects do not exhibit the decline in plasma ghrelin seen after a meal in the lean; the lack of suppression following a meal in obese subjects could lead to increased food consumption and suggest that ghrelin may be involved in the pathphysiology of obesity.