International Journal of Endocrinology
Volume 2014, Article ID 575671, 4 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/575671
Acute One-Cigarette Smoking Decreases Ghrelin Hormone in Saliva: A Pilot Study
1College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Dammam, Al-Khobar 31441, Saudi Arabia
2College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 21423, Saudi Arabia
Received 26 December 2013; Accepted 17 March 2014; Published 7 April 2014
Academic Editor: Robert D. Murray
Copyright © 2014 Yahia A. Kaabi and Mohiealdeen A. Khalifa. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is commonly associated with weight loss and mechanisms for these weight changes are still elusive. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that works in a neuroendocrine fashion to stimulate hunger and the desire for food intake. Ghrelin is also secreted in saliva, probably to enhance food taste. In the current study, we tested the direct impact of acute cigarette smoking on total ghrelin found in saliva. Methods. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 30 healthy nonsmoker male volunteers before and after one-cigarette smoke. Total ghrelin in serum and saliva was measured by ELISA based method. Results. Data showed a statistically significant reduction in salivary ghrelin after smoking . In serum, total ghrelin levels were not affected before and after smoking . Additionally, positive correlation was observed between serum and salivary ghrelin before smoking and ; however, this correlation was lost after smoking and . Conclusion. Acute one-cigarette smoking can negatively affect ghrelin levels in saliva that might contribute to the dull food taste in smokers.