title: Serum leptin concentrations in obese women with Down syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
abstract: We have evaluated serum leptin concentrations in two forms of genetic obesity. The subjects examined were eight women with Down syndrome and eight women with Prader-Willi syndrome. All patients were in the reproductive age range and were obese (body mass index > or = 27 kg/m2). Plasma leptin values, analyzed as a function of body mass index showed a statistically significant correlation in both Prader-Willi (r = 0.985; p < 0.001) and Down syndrome patients (r = 0.943; p < 0.001). Obese Down syndrome women exhibited significantly lower leptin values (10.8 +/- 1.1) as compared to patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (31 +/- 2.6; p < 0.01). The linear correlation between leptin and insulin in the two groups of patients was not statistically significant. The data suggested that obesity in Prader-Willi subjects could be caused by failure of leptin to reach its target in the brain, as a consequence of defects in the receptor or in postreceptor processing, whereas data on obese patients with Down syndrome could be due to a different pathogenetic origin.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OASI Institute for Research (IRCCS), Troina, Italy.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cento
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Proto
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Spada
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ragusa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reitano
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Napolitano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanzone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D020738:Leptin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone