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Surgery Today
Published in: Surgery Today 3/2016

01-03-2016 | Original Article

Impact of synthetic ghrelin administration for patients with severe body weight reduction more than 1 year after gastrectomy: a phase II clinical trial

Authors: Shuji Takiguchi, Yasuhiro Miyazaki, Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Yukinori Kurokawa, Makoto Yamasaki, Kiyokazu Nakajima, Hiroshi Miyata, Hiroshi Hosoda, Kenji Kangawa, Masaki Mori, Yuichiro Doki

Published in: Surgery Today | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Ghrelin is mainly secreted from the stomach and plays a role in appetite, weight gain, and the promotion of a positive energy balance. The levels of ghrelin decrease immediately after gastrectomy. We herein investigated the effect of the administration of synthetic ghrelin to treat postoperative severe weight loss in a prospective, one-arm clinical trial to develop new strategies for weight gain.

Methods

Ten patients (four distal gastrectomy and six total gastrectomy) received ghrelin treatment. Eligibility criteria included patients who underwent gastrectomy more than 1 year previously and 15 % body weight loss from the preoperative weight or a body mass index under 19. Synthetic human ghrelin (3 μg/kg) was administered to the patients twice a day for 1 week. Oral intake of calories, appetite [evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS)], and body weight before and during administration of ghrelin were compared.

Results

There was a significant difference in the oral food intake before and during treatment (before treatment: 1236 ± 409 kcal vs. during treatment: 1398 ± 365 kcal, p = 0.039), and the VAS for appetite significantly improved with each day of ghrelin administration (p < 0.05). Significant amounts of body weight were gained (39.5 ± 6.8 vs. 40.1 ± 6.9, p = 0.037).

Conclusions

The administration of synthetic ghrelin improved the food intake and was effective for treating appetite loss and body weight loss. Synthetic ghrelin may be a promising new therapy for severe body weight loss following gastrectomy.
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Metadata
Title
Impact of synthetic ghrelin administration for patients with severe body weight reduction more than 1 year after gastrectomy: a phase II clinical trial
Authors
Shuji Takiguchi
Yasuhiro Miyazaki
Tsuyoshi Takahashi
Yukinori Kurokawa
Makoto Yamasaki
Kiyokazu Nakajima
Hiroshi Miyata
Hiroshi Hosoda
Kenji Kangawa
Masaki Mori
Yuichiro Doki
Publication date
01-03-2016
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Surgery Today / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-1291
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-015-1187-2

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