title: Acute cold exposure decreases plasma leptin in women.
abstract: We investigated whether cold exposure affects circulating leptin in humans. Five women (age, 32+/-4 years; body mass index, 23.1+/-1.7 kg/m2) participated in two separate trials. Subjects sat at room temperature ([RT] 24.8 degrees+/-0.3 degrees C) or in the cold (6.3 degrees+/-0.5 degrees C) for 90 minutes. During RT exposure, plasma leptin and norepinephrine were unchanged over time. Cold exposure significantly decreased plasma leptin by 14%, 17%, and 22% at 30, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively (temperature x time interaction, P < .04). Plasma norepinephrine increased by 400% to 500% (P < .001) and plasma glycerol increased by 110% over baseline during cold exposure (temperature effect, P < .005). We conclude that circulating leptin decreases during cold exposure, probably as a result of activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Mittleman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D005990:Glycerol; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine