Serum leptin and weight loss in severely obese patients undergoing biliopancreatic diversion.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of body fat and food intake on serum leptin concentration.

DESIGN

Longitudinal study of a group of obese patients prior to and at, long term follow-up, after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), when body weight was steadily reduced and food consumption was similar to or greater than preoperatively.

RESULTS

In obese patients, very high serum leptin concentrations were found. Following the operation, with the body weight stable and normalized, a sharp fall of serum leptin concentration had occurred, with values returned to normal range.

CONCLUSION

The changes in serum leptin concentration observed in the long term after weight loss are substantially accounted for by the loss of body fat and appear unrelated to the reduction of oral food intake.