title: Increased adiposity and altered adipocyte function in female survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated without cranial radiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Excess adiposity is a complication of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and is commonly attributed to cranial radiation (CRT) administration. Hyperleptinaemia also occurs during ALL treatment, but there are no data on long-term alterations to adipocytokines following treatment without CRT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four survivors (50% female) and 51 controls (59% female) were recruited. Body composition assessment was by BMI, air displacement plethysmography (BODPOD), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and skinfold thickness (SFT). Fasting blood samples were analysed for adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BMI standard deviation score (0.71 vs. 0.04, p < 0.05) and fat percentage measured by BIA (29.8% vs. 24.6%, p = 0.01) and SFT (31.7% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.007) were greater in female survivors compared with controls. Adiposity was similar in male survivors and controls. Absolute leptin (17.8 vs. 7.8 ng/ml, p = 0.01) and fat-adjusted leptin concentrations (p < 0.05) were higher in female survivors compared to controls. Female survivors were less insulin sensitive than controls (p = 0.02). These findings were not observed in males. There were no differences in the other adipocytokines between survivors and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term unfavourable alterations to body composition and adipocyte function are observed in female, but not male, survivors of ALL treatment without CRT.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Oncology and Paediatric Endocrinology, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willows
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D052438:Adipocytes, White / Q000378:metabolism; D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin