Increased leptin concentrations correlate with increased concentrations of inflammatory markers in morbidly obese individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether an increase of plasma leptin concentrations, as observed in the case of increased body weight, is associated with an inflammatory state.


METHODS
Sixty-three healthy subjects with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 20 to 61 kg/m2.


METHODS
Plasma concentrations of leptin, the inflammatory parameter soluble TNF-alpha receptors (TNFR55 and TNFR75), the acute phase proteins lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and the anti-inflammatory soluble Interleukin-1 decoy receptor (sIL-1RII) were measured.


RESULTS
As expected, BMI correlated significantly with leptin (r=0.823, P<0.001), but also with all acute phase proteins, both soluble TNF receptors and PAI concentrations. After correction for BMI and sex, no significant correlation between leptin and the acute phase proteins was seen. Interestingly, however, leptin strongly correlated with both TNF receptors (r=0.523, P<0.001 for TNFR55 and r=0.438, P<0.001 for TNFR75).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the development of a pro-inflammatory state with increasing body weight. The BMI independent relationship between leptin and both soluble TNF-receptors is consistent with a regulatory role for leptin in the inflammatory state in morbidly obese subjects.
van Dielen
F M
FM
Department of General Surgery, University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
van't Veer
C
C
Schols
A M
AM
Soeters
P B
PB
Buurman
W A
WA
Greve
J W
JW
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C515448:LEPR protein, human; D020738:Leptin; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha