Fasting and postprandial total ghrelin remain unchanged after short-term energy restriction

Adaptations that promote positive energy balance appear in response to dietary restriction. The aim of this study was to determine whether fasting and postprandial total ghrelin increase in response to short-term energy restriction. Fifteen adult male subjects were subjected to a 4-d energy restricted diet (-800 kcal/d). Body weight and composition, resting energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, fasting and postprandial appetite scores, and fasting and postprandial serum leptin and total ghrelin were determined before and after dietary intervention. Despite the fact that fat mass remained unchanged after the 4 d, fasting (-36%; P