Leptin concentrations in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients with anorexia nervosa assessed by in vivo microdialysis.
OBJECTIVE
The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin is involved in energy metabolism and body weight regulation. Plasma leptin concentrations are significantly reduced in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and with severe malnutrition. Whether reduced plasma leptin is reflected by its decreased production by the adipose tissue is unknown.


METHODS
In the present study we measured leptin concentrations locally in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of 9 female AN patients and 11 healthy controls by in vivo microdialysis.


RESULTS
Adipose tissue free leptin levels were not different in patients with AN compared to controls (2.59+/-1.99 vs 2.36+/-0.25 ng/ml, P>0.05). Plasma leptin soluble receptor (sOb-R) levels were significantly higher in patients with AN than in healthy subjects (58.05+/-38.69 vs 12.79+/-5.08 U/ml, P<0.01). The area of adipocyte in AN was considerably smaller than in the controls (183+/-104.01 microm2 compared to 2145.8+/-1003.41).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that decreased plasma leptin levels in patients with AN are not directly related to dialysate leptin levels in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Dostálová
Ivana
I
Institute of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Narodni 8, Z116 94, Prague 1, Czech Republic.
Kopský
Vojtech
V
Dusková
Jaroslava
J
Papezová
Hana
H
Pacák
Karel
K
Nedvídková
Jara
J
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D017551:Microdialysis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D054411:Receptors, Leptin
C515448:LEPR protein, human; D020738:Leptin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin