Meal energy content is related to features of meal-related ghrelin profiles across a typical day of eating in non-obese premenopausal women

Some features of the meal-related profile of ghrelin correspond to acute energy intake, suggesting a role in short-term energy homeostasis. Yet, no studies have examined this relationship across a typical day of eating when effects of time of day and or cumulative energy intake may also exist. Aim of study: To examine the relation between ghrelin and acute energy intake by quantifying changes in ghrelin over 24 hours in response to three typical meals and a snack occurring throughout the day. Methods: Fourteen non-obese women consumed three meals and a snack at specific times; total ghrelin was measured repeatedly over 24 hours. Results: Significant correlations existed between: 1) meal calories and the post-meal trough (r = -0.36; p < 0.05), and 2) the sum of breakfast and lunch calories and subsequent dinner rise (r = -0.45; p < 0.02) and 3) the sum of breakfast and lunch calories and dinner peak (r = -0.54; p < 0.003). Thus, as energy intake increased across the day, pre-meal rises of subsequent meals were reduced. Conclusion: Meal-related profiles of ghrelin are not only associated with the energy content of specific meals, but also with the accumulated calories prior to a subsequent meal, suggesting a role in the modulation of acute energy homeostasis.