A longitudinal assessment of ghrelin and bone mineral density with advancing pubertal maturation in adolescent female athletes

Aim of the present study was to investigate changes in ghrelin and bone mineral density (BMD) during furhter biological maturation after onset of puberty in female adolescent swimmers. N. 17 swimmers were tested once a year during a two year study period, taking into account puberal stage. Fasting plasma ghrelin, leptin, estradiol, insuline-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and BMD of the total body, lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured. Results: Ghrelin did not chance during the further pubertal development after onset of puberty. No differences in leptin were also seen during the study period. Estradiol and IGF-! were increased during further pubertal development. Total and lumbar spine BMD increased along with further biological maturation. In contrast, further pubertal development has no effect on femoral neck BMD in adolscent female swimmers. Ghrelin was not related to measured BMD values after adjusting for pubertal status at any measurement time. Conclusions: Ghrelin concentration did not change with advancing age and pubertal stage after onset of puberty and had no direct influence on bone mineralization in adolescent female swimmers.