The Relationship between Serum Ghrelin with Beta-Cell Function Index and Insulin Resistance in People with Type 2 Diabetes

Background and purpose: Considerable attention has recently been paid to the role of ghrelin hormone in the metabolism of carbohydrate. Beta-cell dysfunction is also considered to be an important factor in the prevalence of diabetes. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between serum ghrelin with beta-cell function and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and methods: Forty six male adults with type 2 diabetes and a body mass index of greater than 29 were recruited in this study through convenience sampling. To measure the participants’ serum insulin, ghrelin, and glucose level, their blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast. The relationship between serum ghrelin with beta-cell function index, insulin resistance, insulin, and glucose were determined through multiple regression analyses. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that beta-cell function (P= 0.003) and fasting glucose level (P= 0.005) were positively correlated with serum ghrelin level, while serum insulin level was negatively correlated with ghrelin level (P= 0.011). Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between serum ghrelin levels and insulin resistance (P= 0.083). Conclusion: The findings support the role of ghrelin in blood glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients which is mostly due to the effect of ghrelin on beta-cell function.