Determination of Ghrelin?s Role in the Pathogenesis of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Background: Ghrelin is a stomach-produced polypeptide hormone that stimulates hunger and secretion of growth hormone. Abnormalities in ghrelin secretion are well documented in obese patients, but explored little in patients with various forms of hypertension. Notably, ghrelin is indirectly involved in blood pressure regulation in pregnancy induced hypertension. Material and methods: The present study aimed to assess ghrelin concentration in venous blood of 19 nonpregnant (NP), 20 healthy pregnant (HP) and 20 hypertensive pregnant (PIH). It also included assessing blood ghrelin concentration of 21 obese hypertensive pregnant (OPIH) women before and one hour after eating. Ghrelin secretion was estimated 1-3 days before delivery. Results: All experimental groups of pregnant women (HP, PIH, and OPIH) showed significantly reduced ghrelin plasma level as compared with NP (812 ± 83, 716 ± 66, and 717 ± 52 vs 1057 ± 74, respectively). We found no significant ghrelin reduction after eating in obese hypertensive pregnant women. The blood ghrelin concentration in pregnant women negatively correlated with mean arterial pressure. In spite of the differences in ghrelin concentration in women, whom a decrease in ghrelin concentration after a standard meal was observed compared to women, who didn’t reduce of ghrelin secretion no differences were found in mean arterial pressure. Conclusion: The relationship between arterial hypertension and ghrelin secretion disorders during hypertensive pregnancy is uncertain and requires further examination.