Appetite loss may be induced by lower serum ghrelin and higher serum leptin concentrations in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

Background

Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) typically develop appetite loss. However, the mechanisms regulating appetite are not understood. Ghrelin and leptin, both of which signal nutritional status and energy storage levels to the hypothalamus, are essential elements of the appetite system. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between appetite and ghrelin and leptin concentrations in patients with SAH.

Methods

Blood plasma or serum profiles and appetite status were measured in 19 patients with SAH who underwent aneurysmal clipping within 48 hours of SAH onset. Appetite status was measured using dietary oral calorie intake. All outcome variables were measured at an early (day 3) and late (day 8) time point after SAH onset (day 0).

Results

Of the 19 patients studied, 6 (31.6%) showed lower dietary oral calorie intake at the late time point than at the early time point. In these patients with appetite loss, plasma hemoglobin (P < 0.02), albumin (P < 0.01), glucose (P < 0.01), plasma insulin (P < 0.04), and serum ghrelin (P < 0.03) concentrations were lower at the late time point than at the early time point. Serum leptin was higher at the late time point than at the early time point (P < 0.02).

Conclusion

In SAH patients, appetite loss may be induced by lower serum ghrelin and higher serum leptin concentrations resulting from high plasma glucose and insulin levels due to a catecholamine surge following SAH.