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Objective Atrophic gastritis may affect circulating ghrelin levels and, indirectly, body mass index. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between atrophic gastritis, focusing on autoimmune atrophic gastritis and advanced stages of atrophic gastritis, serum ghrelin levels and BMI. Methods Sixty-three patients, of whom 18 had autoimmune atrophic gastritis, 27 non-autoimmune antrum and corpus atrophic gastritis, and 18 non-atrophic gastritis or antrum-limited atrophic gastritis (control group) were assessed. All participants underwent endoscopy with multiple gastric biopsies. Atrophic gastritis was diagnosed by histology, classified according to the Updated Sydney System and staged by the Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) Classification. Total serum ghrelin, body weight and height were measured. Results Compared with control patients (144.6 ± 111 pg/ml), mean serum level of total ghrelin was higher in patients with autoimmune atrophic gastritis (226.08 ± 243.03 pg/ml, P = 0.65) and lower in those with both antrum and corpus atrophic gastritis (74.51 ± 37.38 pg/ml, P = 0.12), although differences were not statistically significant. Serum ghrelin decreased in patients with advanced OLGA stages of atrophic gastritis. In non-obese patients BMI was significantly lower in those with both antrum and corpus atrophic gastritis than in control patients (23.1 ± 1.8 vs. 24.5 ± 1.6, P = 0.01), also after adjustment for age and sex (P = 0.02); BMI was positively correlated with serum total ghrelin (r = 0.51, P < 0.001). Conclusion Advanced stages of atrophic gastritis, but not autoimmune atrophic gastritis, seem to be associated with lower serum levels of ghrelin and lower BMI. In non-obese patients, BMI was positively correlated with total serum ghrelin.

Objective:In the postmenopausal period, most women suffer vasomotor symptoms (VMS). It is well-known that VMS can worsen the quality of life. Diet seems to play a relevant role in the development of VMS, but the effect of diet on VMS is mainly limited to observational studies, and analyses of nutritional supplements. The aim of this study was thus to determine the efficacy of a lactoovo- vegetarian (LOVe) diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids vs. a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in EVO (extra-virgin olive oil) in reducing VMS frequency in postmenopausal women.Methods:A two-arms (lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet with EVO vs. lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in omega-3) randomized-controlled trial with a follow-up period of 16 weeks. We considered as primary outcome the change in the Kupperman index (follow-up vs. baseline evaluation, reported as delta, D) and in its subscales. Secondary outcomes included changes in common anthropometric and biohumoral measurements.Results:Among 54 women randomly assigned to a study group, 40 (mean age 55.1±5.4 years) completed the study and complied with their assigned diet. Women randomized to the omega-3 group (n=18) showed significant improvements, compared to the EVO group (n=22), in Kupperman index (Δ=-11.4±9.8 vs. -5.9±8.2; p=0.045), hot flashes (Δ=-3.3±3.4 vs. -1.3±2.6; p=0.04), and a marginally significant improvement in nervousness (Δ=-1.7±1.7 vs. -0.8±1.5; p=0.07). No significant differences were observed for the secondary outcomes. No relevant side effects were reported.Conclusion:After 16 weeks, a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in omega-3 reduced VMS frequency in postmenopausal women more than the lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet rich in EVO.