Relationships Between Insulin Resistance, Acyl Ghrelin, Deacyl Ghrelin and Ghrelin O-Acyltransferase in Middle Aged Men

Des-acyl ghrelin (DAG) is acylated by ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), and thus, converted to acyl ghrelin (AG). Little is known of the relationships between plasma ghrelin levels and GOAT levels on metabolic status and glucose homeostasis. To test the hypothesis that patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) have higher plasma AG and GOAT levels, but lower total ghrelin (TG) and DAG levels than normal healthy controls, and to determine the relationships between insulin resistance and plasma AG, DAG, and GOAT levels.