Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with functional dyspepsia

AIM:To investigate the relationship between plasma acylated ghrelin levels and the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia.METHODS:Twenty-two female patients with functional dyspepsia and twelve healthy volunteers were recruited for the study.The functional dyspepsia patients were each diagnosed based on the Rome Ⅲ criteria.Eligible patients completed a questionnaire concerning the severity of 10 symptoms.Plasma acylated ghrelin levels before and after a meal were determined in the study participants using a commercial human acylated enzyme immunoassay kit;electrogastrograms were performed for 50 min before and after a standardized 10-min meal containing 265 kcal.RESULTS:There were no significant differences in plasma acylated ghrelin levels between healthy volunteers and patients with functional dyspepsia.However,in patients with functional dyspepsia,there was a negative correlation between fasting plasma acylated ghrelin levels and the sum score of epigastric pain(r =-0.427,P = 0.047) and a positive correlation between the postprandial/fasting plasma acylated ghrelin ratio and the sum score of early satiety(r = 0.428,P =0.047).Additionally,there was a negative correlation between fasting acylated ghrelin plasma levels and fasting normogastria(%)(r =-0.522,P = 0.013).Interestingly,two functional dyspepsia patients showed paradoxically elevated plasma acylated ghrelin levels after the meal.CONCLUSION:Abnormal plasma acylated ghrelin levels before or after a meal may be related to several of the dyspeptic symptoms seen in patients with functional dyspepsia.