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Submaximal doses of ghrelin do not inhibit gonadotrophin levels but stimulate prolactin secretion in postmenopausal women
Author(s) -
Messini Christina I.,
Malandri Maria,
Anifandis George,
Dafopoulos Konstantinos,
Georgoulias Panagiotis,
Sveronis Georgios,
Garas Antonios,
Daponte Alexandros,
Messinis Ioannis E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/cen.13349
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , prolactin , ghrelin , luteinizing hormone , follicle stimulating hormone , follicular phase , hormone
Summary Objective An inhibitory effect of ghrelin on gonadotrophin secretion has been reported in normally menstruating women possibly modulated by endogenous oestrogen. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ghrelin on gonadotrophin and prolactin ( PRL ) secretion in oestrogen‐deprived postmenopausal women. Design Prospective intervention study. Patients and Measurements Ten healthy postmenopausal volunteer women were studied during two 15‐days periods of oestrogen treatment (A and B) a month apart. Four experiments (Exp) were performed in total, two on day 1 (Exp 1A and Exp 1B) and two on day 15 (Exp 15A and Exp 15B) of the two periods. The women received in Exp 1A and in Exp 15A two iv injections of ghrelin (0.15 μg/kg at time 0 minute and 0.30 μg/kg at time 90 minutes) and in Exp1B and in Exp 15B normal saline (2 mL), respectively. Blood samples were taken at −15, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes. Results After oestrogen treatment, late follicular phase serum oestradiol levels were attained on day 15 of periods A and B. Ghrelin administration did not affect serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and luteinizing hormone ( LH ), whereas it increased significantly those of growth hormone ( GH ) and PRL . In Exp 15A, serum PRL increment in response to ghrelin (area under the curve, net increment) was significantly greater than in Exp 1A ( P <.05). Conclusions This study demonstrates for the first time that in oestrogen‐deprived postmenopausal women, ghrelin administration affects neither FSH nor LH levels but stimulates PRL secretion, that is amplified by exogenous oestrogen administration.