Ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, leptin and PYY-3 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the serum levels of gut and adipocyte-derived metabolic hormones that control appetite, adipocity, weight gain and energy hemostasis, namely total ghrelin (TG), acylated ghrelin (AG), leptin and PYY-3 in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

METHODS

Plasma samples of 86 women in their first trimester pregnancies with HG (n = 30), morning sickness of pregnancy (MSP) (n = 34) and control (n = 22) groups were obtained. Serum levels of TG, AG, leptin and PYY-3 were compared between the groups, and the correlations with severity of symptoms using modified PUQE (Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis) scoring, BMI, E2, hCG and TSH were calculated.

RESULTS

Levels of TG, AG, PYY-3 and the TG/leptin ratio were significantly higher in HG group compared to MSP and the control groups (p ≤ 0.017). AG/TG ratio was significantly lower in the HG group compared to both MSP and control groups (p ≤ 0.017). There were either weak or no significant statistical correlations between the gut and adipose-related hormones and the modified PUQE scores, BMI, E2, hCG and TSH.

CONCLUSION

Gut-derived metabolic hormones ghrelin, AG and PYY-3 may be involved in the HG pathophysiology.