Alteration of ghrelin/obestatin ratio in adolescence with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Ghrelin, an endoggenous for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, has been shown to participate in the regulation of energy homeostasis and pituitary hormone secretion. Obestatin, encoded by the same gene as ghrelin, is described as a physiological opponent of ghrelin. Ghrelin and obestatin are altered in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by insulin resistance and pituitary hormone secretion disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate ghrelin/obestatin imbalance in relation to insulin resistance and pituitary hormone in adolescence with PCOS. This restrospective case-control study included 33 adolescence with PCOS and 38 control adolescence. Ghrelin and obestatin concentrations in serum were determined by RIA, and the serum fasting glucose and Insulin were determined by the glucose oxidase color method and INS-EASIA. The serum LH and FSH were measured by highly specific hemi-luminescence immunoassays. We found that the serum ghrelin levels and ghrelin/obestatin ratio were significant lower in PCOS group than in control group, and the serum obestatin levels were significant higher in PCOS group than in control group. The ghrelin/obestatin ratios were negatively correlation with LH/FSH ratio and insulin resistant index in PCOS group. The findings of this study suggest that ghrelin/obestatin imbalance may play a role in pathogenesis of adolescent PCOS.