Acute regulation of plasma leptin by isoprenaline in lean and obese fasted subjects.
OBJECTIVE
In human obesity, there is some evidence for impaired adrenergic sensitivity with respect to catecholamine-induced lipolysis. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline has been shown to suppress plasma leptin levels in lean humans in vivo. We hypothesized that a reduced adrenergic sensitivity in obese humans would result in impaired suppression of leptin secretion.


METHODS
Eight obese [Ob, body mass index (BMI) = 33.3 kg/m2] and seven lean (Ln, BMI = 21.8 kg/m2) men were studied after an overnight fast. Intravenous isoprenaline infusion was initiated at a rate of 8 ng/kg/min, titrated up to 24 ng/kg/min over 30 min and continued at this rate for a further 120 min with continuous electrocardiogram monitoring.


RESULTS
Baseline fasting plasma leptin was higher in obese compared with lean subjects (Ob 12.2 +/- 1.8, Ln 2.6 +/- 0.6 ng/ml, p < 0.05 unpaired t-test). Baseline fasting glycerol as a measure of lipolysis was similar in both groups (Ob 62.9 +/- 7.6, Ln 42.4 +/- 8.9 micromol/l) and increased from baseline to 150 min by equivalent amounts (Ob +66.9%, Ln +81.2%, p = NS). Plasma leptin decreased from baseline to 150 min with similar relative changes in both groups (Ob -29.2%, Ln -27.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Obese subjects show a similar lipolytic and leptin response to acute isoprenaline infusion compared with lean subjects. Impaired beta-adrenergic-induced inhibition of leptin secretion does not appear to contribute to hyperleptinaemia in obese human subjects.
Baynes
K C R
KC
Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, GKT School of Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.
Nicholas
M D
MD
Shojaee-Moradie
F
F
Umpleby
A M
AM
Giannoulis
M G
MG
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005990:Glycerol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013851:Thinness / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D020738:Leptin; D007545:Isoproterenol; D005990:Glycerol