Study of the Molecular Basis in the Pathophysiology of Food Intake and Growth in Children
Study of the Molecular Basis in the Pathophysiology of Food Intake and Growth in Children
Obesity, now a global epidemic, is a leading cause of illness and mortality in the developed
 world. To better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie weight disorders,
 increasing attention is being paid to central regulatory elements in energy homeostasis,
 including food intake and energy expenditure. The human hormone ghrelin is secreted as a
 preprohormone (preproghrelin), from which two hormones with antagonistic effects are derived:
 ghrelin, which has orexigenic effects and obestatin, which has anorexigenic effects.
 Ghrelin's actions are mediated by GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Ghrelin synthesis occurs
 predominantly in epithelial cells of the fundus of the stomach. . As the ligand for GHSR,
 ghrelin stimulates secretion of GH. In both rodents and humans, ghrelin regulates hunger
 though its action on hypothalamic feeding centers. Other effects of ghrelin include
 stimulating gastric emptying, positive effects on cardiovascular function, increasing
 intestinal peristalsis, and positive exocrine and paracrine pancreatic secretion. Despite its
 important physiological role, its precise regulatory mechanisms remain ambiguous. Thus, it
 has been suggested that mutations in ghrelin and its receptor will present clinically with
 obesity, eating disorders or growth disturbances. To date, only four different mutations have
 been reported in GHSR and no mutations have been found in the ghrelin gene.

 Working hypothesis and aims: We hypothesize that mutations in ghrelin or in its receptor,
 GHSR, affect appetite regulation and cause growth and eating disorders.
Background: Obesity, now a global epidemic, is a leading cause of illness and mortality in
 the developed world. To better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie
 weight disorders, increasing attention is being paid to central regulatory elements in energy
 homeostasis, including food intake and energy expenditure. The human hormone ghrelin is
 secreted as a preprohormone (preproghrelin), from which two hormones with antagonistic
 effects are derived: ghrelin, which has orexigenic effects and obestatin, which has
 anorexigenic effects. Ghrelin's actions are mediated by GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR).
 Ghrelin synthesis occurs predominantly in epithelial cells of the fundus of the stomach. . As
 the ligand for GHSR, ghrelin stimulates secretion of GH. In both rodents and humans, ghrelin
 regulates hunger though its action on hypothalamic feeding centers. Other effects of ghrelin
 include stimulating gastric emptying, positive effects on cardiovascular function, increasing
 intestinal peristalsis, and positive exocrine and paracrine pancreatic secretion. Despite its
 important physiological role, its precise regulatory mechanisms remain ambiguous. Thus, it
 has been suggested that mutations in ghrelin and its receptor will present clinically with
 obesity, eating disorders or growth disturbances. To date, only four different mutations have
 been reported in GHSR and no mutations have been found in the ghrelin gene.

 Working hypothesis and aims: We hypothesize that mutations in ghrelin or in its receptor,
 GHSR, affect appetite regulation and cause growth and eating disorders.

 Methods: A total of 250 children followed in the pediatric endocrine department at Ha'Emek
 Medical Center will be divided into four groups: 50 children with GH deficiency, 50 obese
 children, 50 children with failure to thrive (FTT),and 50 children with idiopathic short
 stature (ISS). In addition, 50 children without growth or weight disorders will be included
 as a control group.

 Genomic DNA will be isolated from the peripheral blood by standard methods. The corresponding
 intron-exon boundaries of the ghrelin and GHSR genes will be analyzed by direct sequencing
 using an ABI Prism 3100 DNA Analyzer.

 Expected results: We anticipate that mutations in ghrelin or its receptor will affect growth
 and appetite regulation.

 Importance: The findings of this study will expand our understanding of ghrelin's role in
 growth and appetite regulation.

 Probable implications for medicine: The development of more specific therapeutic modalities
 for the treatment of short stature and obesity in children may become possible.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Group1: Children with GH deficiency diagnosed by 2 provocative tests with peak GH less
 than 10 ng/ml.

 -  Group 2:Children with height less than the 3rd centile without any etiology

 -  Group 3:children with failure to thrive until the age of 3 years.

 -  Group 4: children with obesity defined by BMI above the 90th centile for age and sex.

 -  Group 5: children with no endocrine diseases and without obesity or short stature.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Children with known pediatric or endocrine diseases.