Open AccessGhrelin and obestatin plasma levels and ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide gene polymorphisms in small for gestational age infants
Author(s) -
Shulian Zhang,
Guanpeng Zhai,
Jinping Zhang,
JianGuo Zhou,
Chao Chen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/0300060514533525
Subject(s) - obestatin , ghrelin , medicine , gestational age , small for gestational age , endocrinology , cohort , single nucleotide polymorphism , pregnancy , genotype , hormone , gene , biology , genetics
Objectives To investigate plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels, and ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide gene polymorphisms, in sequentially enrolled small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Methods Neonates were sequentially enrolled into this study and were then subdivided into different groups, according to different study aims and availability of study materials. Consequently, plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured in term SGA, term appropriate for gestational age (AGA), term large for gestational age (LGA), preterm SGA and preterm AGA neonates. Levels of both peptides were also measured in AGA infants of different gestational ages, and in term AGA neonates at different days following birth. Three ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Arg51Gln, Leu72Met, and Gln90Leu, were measured in neonates. Results The study involved a total cohort of 581neonates. Out of 150 neonates (30 term AGA, 30 term SGA, 30 term LGA, 30 preterm AGA, and 30 preterm SGA), plasma obestatin levels were significantly higher in term SGA versus term LGA neonates (0.21 ± 0.02 ng/ml versus 0.17 ± 0.01 ng/ml, respectively). Out of a wider cohort, there were no significant differences in genotypes and allele frequencies of Arg51Gln, Leu72Met, and Gln90Leu SNPs between term SGA and AGA neonates, or between preterm SGA and AGA neonates. Conclusions Ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide polymorphisms were not found to be associated with SGA status in neonates; however, ghrelin and obestatin levels may be involved in growth and development. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between ghrelin, obestatin and prenatal development.