The endocrine response to acute ghrelin administration is blunted in patients with anorexia nervosa, a ghrelin hypersecretory state

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2004.02011.x
• Publication Date: 2004-12-21T23:11:30Z
• Authors: F. Broglio; L. Gianotti; S. Destefanis; S. Fassino; G. Abbate Daga; V. Mondelli; F. Lanfranco; C. Gottero; C. Gauna; L. Hofland; A. J. Van der Lely; E. Ghigo
• Keywords: Orexigenic; Anorexia nervosa; Secretagogue

Summary objective Ghrelin, a gastric‐derived natural ligand of the GH secretagogue (GHS)‐receptor (GHS‐R), strongly stimulates secretion but also possesses other neuroendocrine actions, food intake and modulates endocrine pancreas energy homeostasis. Ghrelin is negatively modulated by intake. Similarly, glucose insulin probably exert an inhibitory effect on ghrelin secretion. Fasting levels are reduced in obesity, elevated anorexia nervosa restored weight recovery. The chronic elevation circulating suggested hypothesis alteration sensitivity to orexigenic action this condition. aim study was define actions patients with nervosa. design We enrolled nine women restricter type [AN; age (mean ± SEM) 24·2 1·8 years; body mass index (BMI) 14·7 0·4 kg/m 2 ] seven normal young their early follicular phase as control group (NW; 30·6 3·1 BMI 20·3 0·5 ). measurements In all subjects we studied GH, PRL, ACTH, cortisol, responses acute administration (1·0 µg/kg i.v. bolus). response GHRH bolus) basal IGF‐I were evaluated subjects. results Basal morning AN (643·6 21·3 ng/l 10·4 µg/l, respectively) higher ( P < 0·05) than NW (233·5 14·2 0·7 respectively). However, (145·3 10·9 µg/l) lower (325·4 12·6 µg/l). that NW, NW. induced similar increases ACTH cortisol levels. followed significant increase not AN. conclusions This demonstrates nervosa, clinical condition hypersecretion, shows specific reduction ghrelin, despite hyper‐responsiveness administration. impaired agrees previous evidence blunted synthetic secretagogues could reflect desensitization GHS receptor pathological state.