Effect of chronic kidney disease on circulating ghrelin concentrations

Summary Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the presence of kidney damage, or a progressive loss of kidney function. Several studies showed that the elevated level of ghrelin in CKD patients is associated with the poor nutritional status. As ghrelin is involved in food intake and meal appreciation the present study is aimed to assess the relationship between total plasma ghrelin levels and CKD in patients on hemodialysis. Forty nine CKD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for more than 6 months at Sri Ramachandra Medical centre and 18 healthy subjects were included in the present study. Serum levels of total ghrelin were measured by Ghrelin human enzyme immunometric assay kit. Serum albumin, haemoglobin and creatinine were measured using standard laboratory methods. Anthropometric variables and dietary intake was measured for assessment of nutritional status. The serum creatinine and ghrelin were higher in CKD group. The ghrelin levels were found to be higher in CKD patients with hypertension and diabetes as main aetiology. Ghrelin levels showed positive correlation with serum creatinine in CKD patients. The present data suggest that the plasma total ghrelin was elevated in CKD patients on hemodialysis. Further studies are warranted to clarify the correlation between ghrelin and