Decreased plasma leptin concentrations in tuberculosis patients are associated with wasting and inflammation.
Tuberculosis patients often suffer from severe weight loss, which is considered to be immunosuppressive and a major determinant of severity and outcome of disease. Because leptin is involved in weight regulation and cellular immunity, its possible role in tuberculosis-associated wasting was investigated. In an urban clinic in Indonesia, plasma leptin concentrations, indicators of adipocyte mass, appetite, C-reactive protein (CRP), tuberculin reactivity, and cytokine response were measured in tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. Plasma leptin concentrations were lower in patients than in controls (615 vs. 2,550 ng/liter; P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that body fat mass and inflammation were two independent factors determining plasma leptin concentrations; there was a positive correlation between fat and leptin, whereas, unexpectedly, leptin was inversely associated with CRP and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. Concentrations of both CRP and leptin were independently associated with loss of appetite. Our results do not support the concept that weight loss in tuberculosis is caused by enhanced production of leptin. Rather, loss of body fat leads to low plasma leptin concentrations, and prolonged inflammation may further suppress leptin production. Because leptin is important for cell-mediated immunity, low leptin production during active tuberculosis may contribute to increased disease severity, especially in cachectic patients.
van Crevel
Reinout
R
Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Nijmegen, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Karyadi
Elvina
E
Netea
Mihai G
MG
Verhoef
Hans
H
Nelwan
Ronald H H
RH
West
Clive E
CE
van der Meer
Jos W M
JW
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001066:Appetite; D001835:Body Weight; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012016:Reference Values; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D020738:Leptin