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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112(3): 123-126
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-817819
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Ghrelin/Leptin-Imbalance in Patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

M. Breidert1 , T. F. Zimmermann2 , R. Schneider2 , G. Ehninger2 , G. Brabant3
  • 1Internal Medicine, District Hospital Kehl, Germany
  • 2Medical Department I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Germany
  • 3Department of Clinical Endocrinology, Medical School Hannover, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 28, 2003 First decision: May 23, 2003

Accepted: August 25, 2003

Publication Date:
30 March 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Background

The recently discovered peptide hormone ghrelin mainly produced in gastric oxyntic cells may act as a counterpart to leptin in the regulation of food intake and fat utilization. Leptin, involved in the stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines and catabolic energy balance, is elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis. In the present study, we evaluated serum ghrelin and bound leptin levels in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in relation to C-peptide and glucose concentration.

Methods

In 22 female patients with PBC (Child-Pugh stage A) and in 36 female controls we measured serum ghrelin, bound leptin, and C-peptide levels using specific immunoassays.

Results

In comparison to controls serum bound leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with PBC (p < 0.01) whereas serum ghrelin levels were decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In parallel, C-peptide concentrations were increased (p < 0.01) with no significant change in circulating glucose levels.

Conclusion

Our data confirm in PBC patients that serum bound leptin levels are increased and clearly show a parallel decrease in serum ghrelin concentrations acting as a physiological counterpart to leptin. Furthermore, we suggest that these changes are linked to the insulin resistance observed in our patients.

Key words

Ghrelin - leptin - chronic liver disease

References

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Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Matthias Breidert

Internal Medicine · District Hospital Kehl/Rhein

Kanzmattstraße 2

77694 Kehl

Germany

Phone: + 497851873151

Fax: + 49 78 51 87 32 39

Email: breidert@kreiskrankenhaus-kehl.de