Change of Plasma Ghrelin Level in Acute Pancreatitis

Background: Ghrelin is a new endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and it has many effects, including stimulating appetite, lipid metabolism and gastric motility. We investigated the change of plasma ghrelin concentration in patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods: Blood samples were collected twice from each patient with acute pancreatitis. The first sample was obtained at the time of diagnosis (before therapy) and the second the day before the patient was dismissed from the hospital (after recovery). Plasma ghrelin levels were measured with an RIA assay kit and were analyzed with clinical and biochemical parameters. Results: Ghrelin concentration increased from 221. 75 ± 109. 69 to 293. 38 ± 156. 06 pg/ml when the patients recovered, which had statistical significance. At the same time, the glucose level decreased, but it had no statistical significance. The body mass index (BMI) of the patients did not change either. Conclusions: When the patients with acute pancreatitis recovered, the plasma ghrelin concentration increased significantly. The mechanism of the change in ghrelin level needs further study.