[Relationship between leptin and insulin blood levels in obese and lean Chilean women].
BACKGROUND
Leptin, a product of ob gene and insulin blood levels, are proportional to the amount of adipose tissue. Insulin could have an independent regulatory effect on leptin secretion.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between serum leptin and plasma insulin levels in obese and lean Chilean women.


METHODS
One hundred forty five women, aged 20 to 60 years old, were studied. Weight, height, waist and hip circumference, fasting blood glucose, insulin and leptin levels were measured. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment. The relationship between different variables was determined using multiple linear regression, variance analysis and non parametric correlation.


RESULTS
Leptin serum concentrations were positively correlated with body mass index, insulin plasma levels and degree of insulin resistance. The association of leptin with insulin was independent of body mass index and persisted after adjustments by body fat distribution and age.


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin and insulin resistance are associated to high blood leptin levels and this association is independent of the degree of adiposity and body fat distribution.
Albala
C
C
Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile. calbala@abello.dic.uchile.cl
Pérez
F
F
Santos
J L
JL
Yáñez
M
M
Arroyo
P
P
Díaz
J
J
Díaz
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin