Helicobacter pylori Infection is Associated with Reduced Circulating Ghrelin Levels Independent of Body Mass Index

• Published in: Helicobacter (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2005-10, Vol.10 (5), p.373-378
• Main Authors: Shiotani, Akiko, Miyanishi, Teruo, Uedo, Noriya, Iishi, Hiroyasu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Body Mass Index; Case-Control Studies; Female; Ghrelin; H. pylori; Helicobacter Infections - epidemiology; Helicobacter Infections - microbiology; Helicobacter Infections - physiopathology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - pathogenicity; Humans; LDL-cholesterol; leptin; Leptin - blood; Male; obesity; pepsinogen; Pepsinogen A - blood; Peptide Hormones - blood; Prevalence
• ISSN: 1083-4389; 1523-5378
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2005.00343.x

ABSTRACT Background.  Ghrelin stimulates growth hormone and has orexigenic and adipogenic effects. Plasma ghrelin levels are reduced in obesity and possibly in Helicobacter pylori infection. Aim.  To investigate whether there was a relation between H. pylori infection, body mass index (BMI) and serum ghrelin or leptin levels. Methods.  University students undergoing an annual health check‐up were invited to participate. H. pylori status was based on the presence of specific IgG H. pylori antibodies in urine. Fasting serum ghrelin, leptin levels, and pepsinogen I and II levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Results.  Eight hundred and one students volunteered. There was no significant difference in the height and BMI between those with and without H. pylori infection. The population of ghrelin study consisted of 132 (66 H. pylori‐positive and 66 H. pylori‐negative) students matched for age, sex, and BMI. The ghrelin level in the H. pylori‐positive group was significantly lower (median 55 pmol/l) compared to the H. pylori‐negative group (103 pmol/l) (p