Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2011; 17(15): 1971-1975
Published online Apr 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i15.1971
Assay of ghrelin concentration in infant formulas and breast milk
Francesco Savino, Elisa Petrucci, Maria Maddalena Lupica, Giuliana Eva Nanni, Roberto Oggero
Francesco Savino, Elisa Petrucci, Maria Maddalena Lupica, Giuliana Eva Nanni, Roberto Oggero, Department of Pediatrics, “Regina Margherita” Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94-10126, Turin, Italy
Author contributions: Savino F and Oggero R designed the research; Petrucci E, Lupica MM and Nanni GE performed the research; Petrucci E and Nanni GE analyzed the data; Savino F, Petrucci E and Lupica MM wrote the paper.
Supported by a MIUR Grant for Project of Research (ex 60%-2008) Italy
Correspondence to: Francesco Savino, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, “Regina Margherita” Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94-10126, Turin, Italy. francesco.savino@unito.it
Telephone: +39-11-3135257 Fax: +39-11-677082
Received: August 9, 2010
Revised: November 12, 2010
Accepted: November 19, 2010
Published online: April 21, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To test if total ghrelin is present in infant formulas.

METHODS: Using a radioimmunoassay, we measured total ghrelin concentrations in 19 samples of commercial infant formulas and in 20 samples of human milk. We also determined ghrelin concentration in the serum of infants and lactating mothers.

RESULTS: Ghrelin concentrations were significantly higher in artificial milk (2007.1 ± 1725.36 pg/mL) than in human milk (828.17 ± 323.32 pg/mL) (P = 0.005). The mean ghrelin concentration in infant serum (n = 56) was 1115.86 ± 42.89 pg/mL, and was significantly higher (P = 0.023) in formula-fed infants (1247.93 ± 328.07 pg/mL) than in breast-fed infants (1045.7 ± 263.38 pg/mL). The mean serum ghrelin concentration (mean ± SD) in lactating mothers (n = 20) was 1319.18 ± 140.18 pg/mL.

CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that total ghrelin is present in infant formulas. This finding raises diverse questions regarding the uptake, absorption and metabolic effects of this hormone.

Keywords: Breast feeding; Ghrelin; Human milk; Infants; Infant formulas