Serum leptin levels are associated with tamoxifen-induced hepatic steatosis.
OBJECTIVE
Tamoxifen, used in breast cancer treatment, may induce hepatic steatosis. It has been suggested that leptin, which has a relationship with body fat stores, may be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis. In this study, we compared serum leptin levels in tamoxifen-treated patients with and without hepatic steatosis.


METHODS
Thirty-four women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen were included in the study. Serum samples were obtained from the patients before and 3 months after tamoxifen therapy.


RESULTS
Increased hepatic steatosis was detected in 15 of 34 (44%) patients after 3 months of tamoxifen therapy. Serum leptin levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients with increased hepatic steatosis (37.3 +/- 17.7 to 50.5 +/- 22.4 ng/ml, p = 0.023) compared to (48.2 +/- 20.2 to 42.6 +/- 14.9 ng/ml, p > 0.05) after tamoxifen treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Leptin may play a role in tamoxifen-induced hepatic steatosis. The exact mechanism involved should be investigated in further studies.
Günel
Nazan
N
Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. nazangun@hotmail.com
Coşkun
Uğur
U
Toruner
Fusun Balos
FB
Sancak
Banu
B
Yilmaz
Erdal
E
Cengiz
Omer
O
Elbeg
Sehri
S
Uner
Aytug
A
Ozkan
Secil
S
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D020738:Leptin; D014280:Triglycerides; D013629:Tamoxifen; D002784:Cholesterol