Plasma ghrelin levels in males with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

It has recently been shown that ghrelin is a pleitropic modulator with effects on diverse biological functions, such as energy homeostasis and reproduction. In this study, ghrelin levels and its relationship between metabolic and biochemical parameters were investigated in male subjects with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). Patients in the study were composed of 33 men with IHH, and controls were composed of 36 healthy age-matched men. The patients' group had significantly higher waist/hip ratio (WHR), and lower testis volume, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimuling hormone (FSH) and total testosterone (TT) levels when compared with controls. Plasma total ghrelin levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls (96.4 +/- 29.1 ng/ml vs. 146.1 +/- 28.9 ng/ml, P < 0.001, respectively). No correlation of ghrelin was found with body mass index, waist/hip ratio, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index, testis volume, LH, FSH and TT levels in both patients and controls. The present study showed that ghrelin levels were significantly lower in men with IHH than in controls. However, further studies are needed to better understand the relationships between ghrelin, and metabolic and reproductive systems.