RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GHRELIN AND OBESTATIN WITH SOME OF BODY COMPOSITION INDEXES IN 50-70 YEARS OLD ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES MEN

Background: Aging is associated with appetite decline, weight loss, reduced muscle mass and increased fat mass. Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides that effect appetite. The aim of this study is to investigate the amount of ghrelin, obestatin and some body composition indexes and their relationship in 50 -70 year old athletes and non-athletes men. Material and Methods: In this analytical study, thirty athletes and thirty non-athletes men aging 50-70 years old enrolled to this research. Amount of ghrelin, obestatin and some body composition indexes including weight, muscle mass, fat mass, body fat percent and body mass index were measured. Results: The result of this study showed that muscle mass significantly (P<0.01) and ghrelin insignificantly (P=0.16) were higher in athlete group. In addition, body fat percent was insignificantly lower in athletes group (P=0.13). There was negative relationship between ghrelin and obestatin with muscle mass and positive significant relationship between ghrelin and obestatin with body fat percent in non-athletes group. There was strong relation between ghrelin and obestatin in both groups. Conclusion: Regular participation in basketball training can increase muscle mass in 50-70 years old men. Exercise training can delay aging effects on body composition by increasing some anabolic hormones such as ghrelin and growth hormone and it can change relationship between ghrelin, obestatin and some body composition indexes.