Correlation of serum leptin levels with anthropometric and metabolic parameters and biochemical liver function in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine serum leptin levels and investigate their correlations with anthropometric and metabolic parameters and biochemical liver function in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and their potential clinical implications.


METHODS
Forty-two chronic HCV-infected patients without anti-viral treatment were enrolled in this study, 30 patients had chronic hepatitis C, 10 had cirrhosis, and 2 had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA. The biochemical liver function and serum lipids were determined at the same time. The height and body weight of patients and controls were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and body fat were calculated simultaneously. The correlations of serum leptin levels with anthropometric and metabolic parameters and biochemical liver function were assessed statistically.


RESULTS
The mean of serum leptin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C, HCV-associated cirrhosis, HCV-associated HCC and control groups was (6.13+/-3.94), (5.25+/-4.21), (4.17+/-0.28), and (3.59+/-3.44) ng/mL, respectively. The serum leptin level in patients with chronic hepatitis C was significantly higher than that in controls. The serum leptin levels between cirrhotic patients and controls and between male and female cirrhotic patients had no significant difference. Serum leptin levels were positively-correlated with body fat, BMI, and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) in patients with chronic HCV infection. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were closely-correlated with BMI in patients with chronic hepatitis C.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV infection interferes with fat and lipid metabolism in patients with chronic HCV infection and leptin may play a role in hepatosteatosis.
Liu
Zheng-Wen
ZW
Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China. zhengwenl@sohu.com
Zhang
Ni
N
Han
Qun-Ying
QY
Zeng
Jun-Tao
JT
Chu
Yong-Lie
YL
Qiu
Jian-Ming
JM
Wang
Ya-Wen
YW
Ma
Lie-Ting
LT
Wang
Xiao-Qin
XQ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D020738:Leptin