[Serum leptin levels and soluble leptin receptors in female patients with anorexia nervosa].

BACKGROUND

Leptin action in peripheral tissues is enabled by an interaction with specific transmembrane receptors. Several of leptin receptor isoforms were identified, including soluble leptin receptor isoform structurally identical to extracellular domain of the the long leptin receptor isoform. The soluble receptor isoform is released to the circulation and acts probably as leptin-binding factor. The aim of our study was to measure serum concentrations of the soluble leptin receptor in patients with anorexia nervosa and in the control group of healthy women. Relationships of soluble leptin receptor levels to body mass index (BMI), body fat content, serum leptin, TNF-alpha and insulin levels were also studied.

METHOD AND RESULTS

16 patients with anorexia nervosa and 16 age-matched lean healthy women were included into the study. All of the subjects were measured and weighed, the body fat content was estimated from the skinfold thickness measurement. The blood for the determination of leptin, soluble leptin receptor and other hormonal parameters was obtained from all subjects after the overnight fasting. BMI, body fat content, serum leptin and insulin levels in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly lower than in the control group (BMI: 14.98 +/- 2.32 vs. 22.21 +/- 2.48, p < 0.01, % fat content: 16.43 +/- 4.56 vs. 27.19 +/- 4.59, p < 0.01, leptin: 1.37 +/- 1.85 ng.ml-1 vs. 7.19 +/- 3.49 ng.ml-1, p < 0.01, insulin: 12.97 +/- 2.89 mU.l-1 vs. 17.09 +/- 5.57 mU.l-1, p < 0.05). Serum soluble leptin receptor levels in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly higher compared the to control group (24.67 +/- 8.3 U.ml-1 vs. 15.71 +/- 2.79 U.ml-1, p < 0.01). No significant differences in serum TNF-alpha levels between the groups studied were found. Serum leptin levels in both groups correlated positively with BMI and body fat content. Serum soluble leptin receptor levels in both groups correlated negatively with BMI only. No statistically significant relationships between serum soluble leptin receptor levels and the rest of parameters studied were found in any of the groups studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum soluble leptin receptors levels in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly higher in comparison with the healthy subjects. Except of the negative correlation between serum soluble leptin receptor levels and BMI no statistically significant relationships between serum soluble leptin receptor and the rest of parameters studied were found.