Metabolic and Auditory Implications of Fasting in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Insights from Leptin and Ghrelin Profiles

Courtney Rynder; Patrick Fan Sharpe; Julieann Coombes; Ray Mahoney

doi:10.22475/jca.v1i1.30

Authors

Courtney Rynder College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia 2 Flinders Health
Patrick Fan Sharpe Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia
Julieann Coombes The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, New South Wales, Australia
Ray Mahoney Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisations, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22475/jca.v1i1.30

Keywords:

Diabetes Mellitus, Fasting, Leptin, Ghrelin, hearing loss, metabolic regulation

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with systemic metabolic disturbances that may contribute to auditory dysfunction, potentially mediated by appetite-regulating hormones such as leptin and ghrelin. This study aimed to examine the association between fasting status, serum leptin and ghrelin levels, and the risk of hearing loss in adults with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 86 participants, categorized into fasting (n=46) and non-fasting (n=40) groups. Serum leptin and ghrelin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) following overnight fasting, while hearing function was assessed using pure-tone audiometry at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, with hearing loss defined as a mean threshold >25 dB. The results showed that fasting participants had significantly lower leptin and ghrelin levels compared to non-fasting individuals (p<0.05). Although mean hearing thresholds were slightly lower in the fasting group, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, the prevalence of hearing loss was significantly lower among fasting participants (21.7%) compared to non-fasting participants (37.5%, p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that higher leptin levels were associated with an increased risk of hearing loss, while fasting status showed a protective effect. In conclusion, fasting is associated with favorable hormonal profiles and a reduced risk of hearing loss in adults with T2DM, suggesting its potential role in supporting auditory health through metabolic regulation.

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