The acute effect of a noontime meal on the serum levels of cortisol and DHEA in lean and obese women.
Lean [n = 11, body mass index (BMI) < 22.5] and obese (n = 13, BMI > 31.5) women consumed a noontime meal while serum levels of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured. Before the meal the obese had lower levels of serum cortisol compared to the leans. Within 20-40 min of consuming the meal the levels of cortisol rose in both groups; those of the obese rose by a greater increment and in the first postprandial hour there were no differences between lean and obese. After the meal-induced peak, the obese again had lower cortisol values. DHEA levels rose with the meal in both groups but the difference over baseline was only significant for the obese. These results show that the lean and obese respond differently to the physiologic stimulus of a meal. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that obesity is influenced by differences in adrenal function that are demonstrable during stimulation with a meal.
Svec
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Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA. fsvec@lsumc.edu
Shawar
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D019518:Postprandial Period
D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone