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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2014; 122(09): 540-543
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1376965
Article
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

High Ghrelin Levels in Post-treatment Euthyroid Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: a Case-control Preliminary Study

N. Malandrino
1   Institute of Internal Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Outpatient Unit, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
A. Miceli
2   Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano (MI), Italy
,
L. Leggio
3   Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Center for Alcohol and Addiction ­Studies, ­Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, ­Providence, Rhode Island, USA
,
G. Mingrone
1   Institute of Internal Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Outpatient Unit, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
E. Capristo
1   Institute of Internal Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Outpatient Unit, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 23 March 2014
first decision 03 May 2014

accepted 06 May 2014

Publication Date:
11 June 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Rationale: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a chronic inflammatory condition often associated with changes in appetite and body composition. Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide involved in the regulation of appetite and food intake. A possible role of ghrelin in mediating inflammation has been suggested. A few contrasting published data are available on the relationship between thyroid status and circulating ghrelin in patients affected by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The aim of the present case-control study was to provide additional evidence on the relationship between thyroid status and plasma ghrelin levels in post-treatment euthyroid female patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, compared to healthy controls.

Methods: 25 women [age 46.6±10.6 years; Body Mass Index 26.3±3.8 kg/m²] affected by overt hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis were studied after thyroid hormones and body weight were already normalized for at least 2 months following L-thyroxine replacement. 25 healthy women (age 40.2±6.4 years; Body Mass Index 26.2±4.0 kg/m²) served as the control group. Blood levels of thyroid hormones, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies and ghrelin were determined. Fat mass, fat-free mass and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also assessed.

Results: Circulating ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients vs. control subjects (p<0.001). No differences were found in metabolic parameters (body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) between groups.

Conclusion: The present study provides additional evidence of hyperghrelinemia status in post-treatment euthyroid patients affected by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Key words

ghrelin - thyroid hormones - Hashimoto’s thyroiditis - inflammation - metabolism
 

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