Change of serum ghrelin concentration according to severity of hepatosteatosis

Background : Recently, ghrelin has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which insulin resistance relatively plays a pivotal role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change of serum ghrelin concentration according to severity of hepatosteatosis. Methods : Sixty five apparently normal male adults who underwent health screen examinations were classified into three groups, Group I: normal (27 subjects), Group II: mild (24 subjects) and Group III: moderate to severe fatty liver (14 subjects), according to ultrasonographic findings of liver. We analyzed the association between serum ghrelin concentration and severity of hepatosteatosis by ANOVA test. And the independent correlation between serum ghrelin concentration and insulin resistance related factors, HOMA (homeostatic model assessment), BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), HC (hip circumference), WHR (waist to hip circumference ratio) were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results : Serum ghrelin concentration tended to decrease according to severity of hepatosteatosis (Group I: 230.994.3, Group II: 195.2ｴ97.2, Group III: 164.3ﾜ71.4 pmol/L). But this was statistically insignificant (p=0.081). The independent correlation between serum ghrelin concentration and insulin resistance related factors were not observed. Conclusions : Our study did not prove the correlation between insulin resistance related factors and serum ghrelin concentration in NAFLD according to severity of hepatosteatosis. However, we found a tendency to decrease serum ghrelin concentration according to severity of hepatosteatosis. So, further studies are required for certification these correlations.