This study evaluated differences in serum concentrations of ghrelin among individuals with varying nutritional status following a standardized meal. A total of 80 adults were enrolled and stratified by BMI. Fasting and postprandial ghrelin levels were assessed at multiple time points. Additionally, dietary habits, physical activity, body composition, and resting energy expenditure were evaluated to explore their association with hormonal responses.
Study Objectives 1\. The primary objectives was to evaluate differences in serum concentrations of ghrelin among patients with varying nutritional status following consumption of standarized meal (cross-over design). Secondary Objectives 1. To compare fasting serum concentrations of ghrelin across nutritional status groups. 2. To assess postprandial changes (60, 120, 1880, and 240 minutes) in ghrelin depending on nutritional status. 3. To compare fasting versus postpradial ghrelin levels. Methods Study Population: A total of 80 adults (aged 40-60 years) were enrolled and stratified by BMI into the following groups: Normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) Overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) Obesity class I (BMI 30.0-34.9) Obesity class II and III (BMI ≥ 35.0) Exclusion criteria included: carbohydrate metabolism disorders, endocrine disorders, renal and/or hepatic failure, gastrointestinal diseases, history of gastroenterological and bariatric surgery, pharmacological treatment or other preparations whose effect on metabolic and hormonal changes is documented or unknown, pregnancy, lactation and other diseases that may affect the obtained results. Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life: Validated questionnaires (including QEB, IPAQ, WHOQOL-BREF, AND TFEQ-R18) were used. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls collected over 3 days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day). Nutritional Status Assessment: Anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, waist and hip circumference) were obtained, and BMI, WHR, WHtR, and RFM were calculated. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Biochemical Measurements: Fasting blood samples were collected to assess: glucose, insulin, lipid profile, CRP, ALT, AST, uric acid, creatinine, and ghrelin. After ingestion of a standarized isocaloric meal (Nutridrink Standard), additional blood samples were collected at 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. Resting energy Expenditure: REE was measured using indirect calorimetry (Q-NRG+, COSMED). Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using Statistica 13.3 (StatSoft).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
Participants consumed 187.5 mL of the oral nutritional supplement Nutridrink Protein during the study procedure.
Medical University of Bialystok
Bialystok, Poland, Poland
Postprandial serum ghrelin concentration
Change in serum ghrelin concentration (pg/mL) over 4 hours following standardized meal intake in participants with different nutritional status. Measurements will be assessed at predefined time points postprandially.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Hemoglobin concentration
Hemoglobin level (g/dL) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
White blood cell count
WBC count (×10⁹/μL) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Platelet count
Platelet count (×10⁹/μL) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Fasting glucose concentration
Glucose level (mg/dL) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Fasting insulin concentration
Insulin level (µIU/mL) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Total cholesterol concentration
Total cholesterol (mg/dl) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
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C-reactive protein concentration
CRP level (mg/L) measured in fasting blood samples.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Alanine aminotransferase activity
ALT level (U/L) measured in serum.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Aspartate aminotransferase activity
AST level (U/L) measured in serum.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Serum uric acid concentration
Uric acid level (mg/dL).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Serum creatinine concentration
Creatinine level (μmol/l).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Total fat mass measured by DEXA
Total fat mass (kg) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Body fat percentage measured by DEXA
Total body fat percentage (%) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Lean body mass measured by DEXA
Lean body mass (kg) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Visceral adipose tissue measured by DEXA
Visceral adipose tissue mass (cm³) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Subcutaneous adipose tissue measured by DEXA
Subcutaneous adipose tissue mass (cm³) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Android fat percentage measured by DEXA
Android fat percentage (%) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Gynoid fat percentage measured by DEXA
Gynoid fat percentage (%) assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Dietary habits score (QEB questionnaire)
Score from standardized Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour (QEB).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating scores (TFEQ-R18)
Scores for each subscale of Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (range 0-100; higher score indicates greater expression of trait).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Hunger and satiety ratings
Visual analogue scale or standardized scale (0-10)
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Physical activity level (IPAQ score)
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score expressed in MET-minutes/week. Higher values indicate higher physical activity level.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Quality of life score (WHOQOL-BREF)
WHOQOL-BREF scores for physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Scores range 0-100; higher score indicates better quality of life.
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).
Resting energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry
REE measured in kcal/day using indirect calorimetry (Q-NRG+, COSMED).
Time frame: 24 months (analyzes were performed throughout the study period).