title: Leptin, fat mass, and bone mineral density in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women.
abstract: The purpose was to examine relationships between age, fat mass, and bone mineral density (BMD) with resting leptin levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Young (aged 18-30 yr, n=30) and estrogen-deficient postmenopausal (aged 55-75 yr, n=43) women were recruited. Total body and segmental fat mass and bone-free lean body mass (BFLBM) and total body, lumbar spine, and proximal femur BMD were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum-resting, fasted leptin levels were measured by Immunoradiometric Assay (IRMA), and leptin-to-fat mass ratios were calculated. Young and older women had similar amounts of BFLBM, but older women had greater (p<0.05) amounts of fat mass and 35% higher leptin levels. Age differences in leptin concentrations were no longer significant after controlling for fat mass. Older women had significantly (p<0.05) lower hip BMD values. Age was negatively related (r=-0.29, p<0.05) to leptin:trunk fat ratio. Increases in fat mass, not menopause per se, contributes to higher leptin levels in older women. Relationships between leptin and BMD may be age dependent.
authors: Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
authors: Vanessa D
authors: VD
authors: Sherk
authors: Stephanie P
authors: SP
authors: Malone
authors: Michael G
authors: MG
authors: Bemben
authors: Allen W
authors: AW
authors: Knehans
authors: Ian J
authors: IJ
authors: Palmer
authors: Debra A
authors: DA
authors: Bemben