Background & Aims: Ghrelin is appetite hormone that has several functions. In recent years the role of ghrelin in bone mass density has been noticed by some investigators. According to the importance of bone mass density in elderly age and importance of physical activity in improving bone mass, this study aimed to investigate the amount of ghrelin and bone mass density and their relationship in athletes and non-athletes.

Materials & Methods: Thirty male athletes and thirty non-athletes who were 50-70 years old took part in this research. Bone mass density of femur and lumbar vertebras were measured by DXA and ghrelin was analyzed by ELISA method. The data were analyzed through independent t-test and Pearson correlation.

Results: The result of this study showed that femur and lumbar bone mass density and their T-score were significantly higher in athlete group (P<0.01). There was no significant relationship between ghrelin and femur and lumbar bone mass density.

Conclusion: Ghrelin may be associated with bone turnover, but there is no evidence for an association with BMD in athletes and non-athletes in men 50-70 years old

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 27(5): 426 ISSN: 1027-3727