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Open Access 01-05-2020 | Obesity | Original Article

Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with insulinoma and expression of ghrelin and its receptor in insulinomas

Authors: Hai-Yan Wu, Nai-Shi Li, Yu-Li Song, Chun-Mei Bai, Qiang Wang, Yu-Pei Zhao, Yu Xiao, Shuang Yu, Ming Li, Yuan-Jia Chen

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

Background

Insulinoma is a subtype of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Many patients with insulinoma are obese due to frequent food intake. Ghrelin is associated with obesity and blood levels of insulin. It is not clear if plasma levels of ghrelin in insulinoma patients correlate with hyperinsulinemia and obesity. Expression of ghrelin and its receptor has not been well demonstrated in insulinoma.

Objective

To study if plasma levels of ghrelin is associated with obesity and hyperinsulinemia or hyperproinsulinemia in patients with insulinoma, and to detect the expression of ghrelin and its receptor in insulinoma.

Methods

Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin, insulin, and proinsulin were measured in 37 patients with insulinoma and 25 controls by ELISA. Expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R1A was examined in 20 insulinoma and paired pancreatic specimens by immunostaining. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with insulinoma were significantly lower than that in the controls (median 15 pg/ml vs. 19 pg/ml, respectively, P = 0.016). The reduced plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients were significantly correlated with obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperproinsulinemia (P = 0.029 and P = 0.028, respectively). Expression of ghrelin and its receptor GHS-R1A was shown in the majority of insulinoma specimens. The expression of GHS-R1A was positively correlated with ghrelin expression in insulinoma (P = 0.014).

Conclusions

Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin decreased in patients with insulinoma, probably due to the hyperinsulinemia and obesity in the patients. Expression of both ghrelin and its receptor is common in insulinoma.

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Title: Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with insulinoma and expression of ghrelin and its receptor in insulinomas
Authors: Hai-Yan Wu
Nai-Shi Li
Yu-Li Song
Chun-Mei Bai
Qiang Wang
Yu-Pei Zhao
Yu Xiao
Shuang Yu
Ming Li
Yuan-Jia Chen
Publication date: 01-05-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Insulins
Insulinoma
Insulinoma
Insulins
Published in: Endocrine / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-020-02233-4

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Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with insulinoma and expression of ghrelin and its receptor in insulinomas

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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