Role of Ghrelin in Postmenopausal obesity

Objectives: Obesity is considered a worldwide important health problem with continuously increasing prevalence, particularly among postmenopausal women. Weight gain is one of the major concerns of menopause. Understanding the contributing factors to postmenopausal obesity helps to reduce its incidence and thus its associated health complications. The present study aimed to review the role of ghrelin in mediating postmenopausal obesity. Methods: A literature review was done to understand the possible association between ghrelin levels and obesity in postmenopausal women. Results: It was found that the lack of estrogen during menopause increases the serum ghrelin level. In addition, the results revealed that ghrelin stimulates appetite, changes food preference, and causes an accumulation of visceral fat resulting in weight gain. On the other hand, ghrelin was found to have many protective effects as an anti-inflammatory and a neuroprotective agent. Conclusions: In general, the ghrelin hormone is a double-edged sword as it mediates the increase of body weight in postmenopausal women. More importantly, it plays a considerable role in protecting postmenopausal women from cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The selective blockage of appetite-stimulating and metabolic effects of ghrelin may be of a potential prophylactic or therapeutic effect for postmenopausal overweight and obesity.