title: [Relationship between plasma level of leptin and the expression of leptin receptor in human adrenal tissues and tumors].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the mRNA, protein expression of long leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) in human adrenal tissues and tumors and observe the plasma level of leptin in primary aldosteronism (PA), cortisol-secreting tumors (CS) and pheochromocytomas (PHEO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Total RNA and protein were extracted from 6 normal human adrenal glands, 10 CS, 20 PHEO; and 14 aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) (RNA), 10 APA (protein); plasma samples were drawn from 20 controls, 15 PHEO, 29 PA and 11 CS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mRNA and protein of Ob-Rb were widely expressed in human adrenal glands and tumors. The mRNA (0.32±0.12) and protein (1.31±0.26) expressions of Ob-Rb were higher in normal human adrenal cortex (C) than all other tissues (P<0.05) while the mRNA expression of Ob-Rb in APA (0.15±0.10) was higher than CS (0.05±0.02) (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Ob-Rb in APA was positively correlated with plasma supine aldosterone level (r=0.670, P=0.024). The mRNA expression of Ob-Rb in CS was positively correlated with 24-hour urinary free cortisol level (r=0.870, P=0.005). The plasma level of leptin was higher in CS than in non-CS groups (P=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ob-Rb is widely expressed in adrenal tissues and tumors. There is a differential expression in various tissues. Further studies are warranted to understand the relationship between leptin and adrenal gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zheng-pei
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Han-zhong
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: An-li
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Ai-ling
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Man
authors.forename: Cai-xia
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin