Obesity, whole blood serotonin and sex differences in healthy volunteers.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a growing problem throughout Europe, where the rate has more than doubled over the past 20 years. Reduced circulating serotonin may contribute to the development of obesity. This study aimed to explore associations between whole blood (WB) serotonin concentrations and anthropometric measures.


METHODS
Healthy adult volunteers (N = 68) gave whole blood samples for measurement of WB serotonin, and underwent BMI waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) assessment as well as DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scans for anthropometric parameters. Student's t-tests determined differences in WB serotonin and anthropometric measures between sexes. Partial Pearson's correlations were carried out on anthropometric measures and WB serotonin.


RESULTS
For the whole sample, WB serotonin was significantly negatively correlated with BMI, WC, WHR as well as android, gynoid and total % body fat. Analysis by sex showed significant negative correlations between WB serotonin and android, gynoid as well as total fat in males, but not in females.


CONCLUSIONS
This dichotomy between the sexes implies that there may be sex differences in the way that serotonin interplays with the development of obesity and body fat distribution.
Northern Ireland Centre for Food & Health NICHE, Carshalton, UK.
Stephanie
S
Hodge
Brendan P
BP
Bunting
Edwin
E
Carr
J J
JJ
Strain
Barbara J
BJ
Stewart-Knox
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D012701:Serotonin