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Ghrelin and motilin levels in hyperemesis gravidarum

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 22 March 2013

Abstract

Purpose

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secratogogue receptor, and its receptors are found in the reproductive organs and placenta. Motilin is produced from the endocrine cells of the duodeno jejunal mucosa and considered to be a regulator of interdigestive migrating contractions. Aim of this study is to investigate ghrelin and motilin levels in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Methods

A total of 56 patients with singleton pregnancies in the first trimester were recruited in the study, 39 with hyperemezis gravidarum and 17 normal pregnant women. Patients with medical complications and body mass index <18 or >25 were excluded. Fasting plasma ghrelin and motilin concentrations were measured. Fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, creatinin, estradiol, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, and thyroid function tests were also investigated.

Results

Ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients with hyperemesis group than the normal pregnant women (p = 0.025). Serum estradiol levels were also higher in the hyperemesis group (p = 0.001). No significant difference was observed in plasma motilin levels between the two groups. In correlation analyses, maternal ghrelin was positively correlated with estradiol (r = 0.29, p = 0.029) in the whole cohort.

Conclusion

There are a few studies about the course of circulating ghrelin levels during human pregnancy. Ghrelin administration increases food intake through central mechanisms but its effects on appetite in relation to human pregnancy is unknown. The increased levels of ghrelin in hyperemesis gravidarum might be a compensatory mechanism to restore the energy metabolism of the pregnant women.

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Conflict of interest

Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayla Sargın Oruç, Ismail Mert, Ebru Aslan, Belgin Polat & Nuri Danışman

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Mujde Akturk

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Umran Buyukkagnıcı

  4. 1438.Sok. No 5/7, Çukurambar, Çankaya, 06520, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayla Sargın Oruç

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  1. Ayla Sargın Oruç
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Correspondence to Ayla Sargın Oruç.

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Oruç, A.S., Mert, I., Akturk, M. et al. Ghrelin and motilin levels in hyperemesis gravidarum. Arch Gynecol Obstet 287, 1087–1092 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2705-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2705-8

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