Background & aims. The gastric hormones ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin have been found to be altered in patients treated with antiepileptic drugs. However, it is unknown if these hormones could be modified by other antiepileptic treatments, such as the ketogenic diet. Especially, a reduction in ghrelin levels could be relevant in view of the growth retardation observed under ketogenic diet treatment. For this reason we aimed to determine the changes in ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels in children affected by refractory epilepsy and treated with the ketogenic diet up to 90 days. Methods. Both peptides were measured by immunoassays in plasma obtained from 16 children. Results. Ghrelin plasma levels were progressively reduced by the ketogenic diet, reaching a minimum corresponding to 42% of basal levels after 90 days of ketogenic diet (P < 0.05, Duncan's test). Des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels were similarly affected, reaching minimal levels at 30 days (65% of basal levels), and maintaining a significant reduction until 90 days after the onset of ketogenic diet (P < 0.01 for both time intervals). No significant changes in growth were observed during the monitored period of ketogenic diet administration. Conclusions. Ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin are downregulated by the ketogenic diet in children affected by refractory epilepsy. Although no significant changes in growth were observed during the short time period of our investigation, the reduction in ghrelin availability may explain the reported growth retardation found in children treated with the ketogenic diet in the long-term.

Decreased ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels in patients affected by pharmacoresistant epilepsy and maintained on the ketogenic diet / Marchio', Maddalena; Roli, Laura; Giordano, Carmela; Trenti, Tommaso; Guerra, Azzurra; Biagini, Giuseppe. - In: CLINICAL NUTRITION. - ISSN 0261-5614. - (2019), pp. 954-957. [10.1016/j.clnu.2018.03.009]

Decreased ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels in patients affected by pharmacoresistant epilepsy and maintained on the ketogenic diet

MARCHIO', MADDALENA
Investigation
;
Giordano, Carmela
Data Curation
;
Biagini, Giuseppe
Writing – Review & Editing
2019

Abstract

Background & aims. The gastric hormones ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin have been found to be altered in patients treated with antiepileptic drugs. However, it is unknown if these hormones could be modified by other antiepileptic treatments, such as the ketogenic diet. Especially, a reduction in ghrelin levels could be relevant in view of the growth retardation observed under ketogenic diet treatment. For this reason we aimed to determine the changes in ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels in children affected by refractory epilepsy and treated with the ketogenic diet up to 90 days. Methods. Both peptides were measured by immunoassays in plasma obtained from 16 children. Results. Ghrelin plasma levels were progressively reduced by the ketogenic diet, reaching a minimum corresponding to 42% of basal levels after 90 days of ketogenic diet (P < 0.05, Duncan's test). Des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels were similarly affected, reaching minimal levels at 30 days (65% of basal levels), and maintaining a significant reduction until 90 days after the onset of ketogenic diet (P < 0.01 for both time intervals). No significant changes in growth were observed during the monitored period of ketogenic diet administration. Conclusions. Ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin are downregulated by the ketogenic diet in children affected by refractory epilepsy. Although no significant changes in growth were observed during the short time period of our investigation, the reduction in ghrelin availability may explain the reported growth retardation found in children treated with the ketogenic diet in the long-term.
2019
23-mar-2018
954
957
Decreased ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin plasma levels in patients affected by pharmacoresistant epilepsy and maintained on the ketogenic diet / Marchio', Maddalena; Roli, Laura; Giordano, Carmela; Trenti, Tommaso; Guerra, Azzurra; Biagini, Giuseppe. - In: CLINICAL NUTRITION. - ISSN 0261-5614. - (2019), pp. 954-957. [10.1016/j.clnu.2018.03.009]
Marchio', Maddalena; Roli, Laura; Giordano, Carmela; Trenti, Tommaso; Guerra, Azzurra; Biagini, Giuseppe
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1157930
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