Leptin and ghrelin in chronic kidney disease: their associations with protein-energy wasting

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