부산대학교 도서관

Background: This study aimed to evaluate plasma concentrations of leptin and total ghrelin in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and assess their roles in protein-energy wasting (PEW).Methods: This study consisted of three different CKD populations [CKD group (20 patients with non-dialysis CKD), dialysis group (39 patients on dialysis), and kidney transplant (KTx) group (35 KTx recipients)] and control group (18 healthy children). Plasma leptin and total ghrelin levels were measured. Multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis was used for the assessment of fat and lean mass. PEW was defined using criteria including body mass, muscle mass, growth, serum albumin level, and protein intake.Results: While plasma leptin levels did not differ among the study groups, total ghrelin levels were significantly higher in the dialysis group (P < 0.001). Seven dialysis patients (18%) and one CKD patient (5%) but none of the KTx recipients met the criteria of PEW. Dialysis patients with PEW had lower plasma leptin levels compared to their counterparts (P = 0.018); however, total ghrelin levels did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.10). Low leptin level in dialysis patients was independently associated with lower fat mass index (P < 0.001) and lower height-specific SD scores of BMI (P = 0.019).Conclusions: PEW is prevalent in dialysis patients. Low levels of leptin seem to be associated with PEW. Our result suggests that low leptin levels may be a consequence rather than a cause of PEW. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate this complex relationship between leptin and PEW in pediatric dialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]