Effect of ghrelin on bone mass density: The InChianti study
Abstract
Introduction Ghrelin is a stomach secreted hormone, believed to play an important role in energy balance and in food intake. Experimental studies have shown a positive effect of ghrelin on bone metabolism, but both in vivo and clinical findings have been contradictory. We aimed to investigate the effect of ghrelin on volumetric BMD in a large cohort of elderly subjects. Methods We have studied 401 women (mean age 75.1 years, range 65–94) and 306 men (mean age 73.9 years, range 65–94) from the InChianti study, which included measurements of BMD using quantitative CT of the tibia and of body composition using bio impedancemetry. Serum ghrelin was measured using ELISA. We excluded participants with diabetes, hyperthyroidism, using hormone replacement or glucocorticoid therapy. We evaluated the correlation of ghrelin with total, trabecular, and cortical BMD using Pearson's coefficient, and linear regression models to estimate the association between ghrelin and BMD controlling for potential confounders. Results In women, after correction for potential confounders, ghrelin was associated with trabecular BMD (β = 7.08, P<0.02), but not with total or cortical BMD. In men, adjusted multivariable models showed a nearly significant association between serum ghrelin and trabecular BMD (β = 4.99, P = 0.069) and no association with either cortical or total BMD. Conclusions Serum ghrelin is positively correlated with trabecular BMD in a cohort of elderly healthy Italian women. The fact…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 401 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Erratum to: The National Osteoporosis Foundation’s position statement on peak bone mass development and lifestyle factors: a systematic review and implementation recommendations
- Association between obesity and risk of fracture, bone mineral density and bone quality in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Dietary Patterns in Relation to Low Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Association of obesity with bone mineral density and osteoporosis in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Falls, fractures, and areal bone mineral density in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
- Exercise training and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies with emphasis on potential moderators
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.