Role of Serum Ghrelin and Ghrelin Gene Polymorphism (rs34911341) in Psoriatic Arthritis

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

1 Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

2 Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

3 Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The novel ghrelin hormone plays a crucial role in many inflammatory diseases. Also, the ghrelin gene has been associated with the susceptibility of several autoimmune disorders. Objective: This research aimed to study the role of ghrelin level in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to assess the association of ghrelin gene polymorphism rs34911341 with the susceptibility to PsA. Methodology: A case-control study was conducted on 63 PsA patients and 63 healthy controls. Patients were assessed for PsA activity, serum ghrelin was measured by ELISA, and the ghrelin gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs34911341 was detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: A significant higher level of ghrelin (P<0.001) was found among the case group. There was a significant negative correlation between ghrelin level and DAPSA (r=-0.697, P<0.001). ROC curve analysis of ghrelin performance showed that at a cut-off value of ≥30.4, serum ghrelin was 82.8% sensitive and 94.1% specific for detection of low PsA activity. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the ghrelin gene SNP rs34911341 (𝑃>0.05). The ghrelin gene was not related to the PsA disease activity. However, the gene SNP rs34911341 was significantly related to both BMI (P=0.028) and triglyceride levels (P= 0.005). Conclusion: The ghrelin hormone has a significant role in PsA and could be a biomarker for predicting low disease activity. Ghrelin gene polymorphism SNP rs34911341 has no association with PsA; however, it could be associated with obesity and metabolic changes in PsA.

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