Obesity is an epidemic that is striking people at younger ages than ever before. Obesity is associated with changes in the secretory patterns of several hormones including ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), and insulin, which have not been examined in the adolescent age group. Ghrelin, a primarily gastric hormone, increases appetite and is a GH secretagogue. This study will compare the alteration in secretion of ghrelin and GH in overweight and normal weight adolescent girls through frequent blood sampling and GH stimulation testing with growth hormone releasing hormone and arginine. The relationship between these hormones and insulin resistance, measured by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and body composition, measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, will be investigated. This study will also determine the postprandial ghrelin response to test meals that vary by the type of predominant macronutrient, which may predict the degree of hunger and amount of intake at a subsequent meal. Understanding obesity-related changes in ghrelin and GH and their relationship to body composition, insulin resistance, and appetite will help in the development of strategies to reduce complications of obesity. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DK072816-02
Application #
7103522
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F06 (20))
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2005-08-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2006-08-01
Budget End
2006-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$4,612
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
Misra, Madhusmita; Tsai, Patrika M; Mendes, Nara et al. (2009) Increased carbohydrate induced ghrelin secretion in obese vs. normal-weight adolescent girls. Obesity (Silver Spring) 17:1689-95
Russell, M; Bredella, M; Tsai, P et al. (2009) Relative growth hormone deficiency and cortisol excess are associated with increased cardiovascular risk markers in obese adolescent girls. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 94:2864-71
Misra, Madhusmita; Bredella, Miriam A; Tsai, Patrika et al. (2008) Lower growth hormone and higher cortisol are associated with greater visceral adiposity, intramyocellular lipids, and insulin resistance in overweight girls. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 295:E385-92