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A Variation in the Ghrelin Gene Increases Weight and Decreases Insulin Secretion in Tall, Obese Children
Ghrelin is a recently recognized gut-brain peptide originally derived from the gastric mucosa. It stimulates growth hormone release, increases appetite and facilitates fat storage, and may interact with glucose metabolism. We studied the ghrelin gene in a group of 70 tall and obese children (mean ag...
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Published in: | The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2002-08, Vol.87 (8), p.4005-4008 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Ghrelin is a recently recognized gut-brain peptide originally
derived from the gastric mucosa. It stimulates growth hormone release,
increases appetite and facilitates fat storage, and may interact with
glucose metabolism. We studied the ghrelin gene in a group of 70 tall
and obese children (mean age 9.4 year, Z body mass index [BMI] and Z
height >3 and/or BMI percentile >99%). We found 10 single nucleotide
polymorphisms. One common polymorphism of the ghrelin gene, which
corresponds to an amino acid change in the tail of the prepro-ghrelin
molecule, was significantly associated with children with a higher BMI
(P = 0.001), and with lower insulin secretion during the first part of
an oral glucose tolerance test (P = 0.05) although no difference in
glucose levels was noted. This might suggest increased insulin
sensitivity, although this is not supported by the lack of difference
in fasting and 2 hour insulin levels; alternatively, this may be
indicative of impaired first phase insulin secretion. These data
suggest that variations in the ghrelin gene contribute to obesity in
children and may modulate glucose-induced insulin secretion. |
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ISSN: | 0021-972X 1945-7197 |
DOI: | 10.1210/jcem.87.8.8881 |