GHRELIN ACTIVATION BY INGESTION OF MEDIUM-CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES IN HEALTHY ADULTS: A PILOT TRIAL

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of dietary supplementation of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and its effects on ghrelin activation in healthy adults. Methods: The present study examined two protocols with six healthy volunteers: 1) 12-hour profiles of the plasma levels of acylated and desacyl ghrelin without MCT ingestion, and 2) changes in serum ghrelin levels after oral ingestion of 45 g/day of MCTs for 1 week. Results: At baseline, serum acylated and desacyl ghrelin levels were 18.2±10.3 and 77.1±23.4 fmol/mL, respectively. The ratio of acylated/desacyl ghrelin was 19%. There were no significant differences in the 12-hour profiles of acylated and desacyl ghrelin. Significant increases were observed in all sampling times of serum acylated ghrelin after 1-week MCTs ingestion. The ratio of acylated/desacyl ghrelin increased to 37.7%. Conclusions: Oral ingestion of MCTs increased serum acylated ghrelin levels in healthy adults, suggesting that MCTs administration stimulates food intake.