Evaluation of ghrelin and leptin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggest an important role for ghrelin and leptin in pathogenesis ofinflammatory respiratory diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate ghrelin andleptin levels in the circulation that might be associated with the development of obstruction.METHODS: Stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (n = 119) and matchedhealthy controls (n = 27) were recruited. The COPD patients were classified into four groups (A, B,C, and D) according to the Revised Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines.RESULTS: Compared to controls, significantly decreased leptin and ghrelin levels were observedin all COPD patient groups. Plasma ghrelin concentration was higher in Group A (P < 0.001),Group B (P < 0.001), and Group C (P < 0.05) when compared with the Group D. Plasmaleptin concentration was significantly decreased in Group D patients when compared withGroup A (P < 0.001) and Group B (P < 0.001). Ghrelin levels were positively correlated with forcedexpiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (r = 0.822; P < 0.001), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 0.431;P < 0.01), and leptin (r = 0.808; P < 0.001) in Group D. Leptin showed positive correlation withFEV1 (r = 0.856; P < 0.001) and FEV1/FVC (r = 0.376; P < 0.05) in Group D. FEV1 was positivelycorrelated with ghrelin levels (r = 0.639; P < 0.001) and leptin levels (r = 0.602; P < 0.001) in Group C.CONCLUSION: The data of the present study showed that the serum ghrelin and leptin levels arelower in patients with COPD. Since ghrelin and leptin correlate with FEV1 in severe group of patients,they seem to be a potential biomarker candidate of prognosis in COPD. Decreased ghrelin and leptinlevels might be associated with the development of obstruction.