Overweight and obesity in type 1 diabetes is not associated with higher ghrelin concentrations

Background Several studies have demonstrated suppressed levels of acylated (AG) and unacylated ghrelin (UAG) in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the role of these hormones in type 1 diabetes has not been extensively studied. This study assessed the relationship between AG and UAG levels and body composition in patients with type 1 diabetes. Methods We selected eighteen patients with type 1 diabetes and divided them into two groups: non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) and overweight (BMI >= 25 kg/m(2)). Demographics, parameters of body composition and serum parameters including AG and UAG, were assessed. Results The patients with a BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) were older and had a longer duration of diabetes. AG and UAG levels were not significantly different between non-obese and overweight groups (mean AG non-obese +/- SD: 44.5 +/- 29.4 pg/ml and mean UAG non-obese 42.4 +/- 20.7 pg/ml vs mean AG overweight +/- SD: 46.1 +/- 29.6 pg/ml and mean UAG overweight 47.2 +/- 18.2 pg/ml). AG/UAG ratios did not discriminate between these groups. There was a positive association of insuline dose/kg bodyweight with BMI (r(2) = 0.45, p = 0.002). Conclusions Surprisingly, unlike non-diabetics and in T2D, we did not observe a difference in plasma levels of AG and UAG between normal weight and overweight adult type 1 diabetics. However, we did observe a positive correlation between BMI and insuline dose/kg bodyweight, suggesting that exogenous insulin is more important than the ghrelin system in the development of obesity in type 1 diabetes.

Automated summary

In patients with type 1 diabetes, there was no significant difference in plasma levels of AG and UAG between normal weight and overweight individuals. However, a positive correlation was observed between BMI and insulin dose/kg bodyweight, suggesting that exogenous insulin plays a more important role than the ghrelin system in the development of obesity in type 1 diabetes.