title: Effect of raised body fat on vitamin D, leptin and bone mass.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate leptin, vitamin D and bone mineral density levels in individuals with high fat mass, and to assess any correlation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and Aga Khan University, Karachi, from August 2012 to July 2014, and comprised healthy male volunteers between the ages of 18-60 years. Body fat percentage was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis and the participants were classified as: Group A (15-21.9); Group B (22-27.9); and Group C (>28). Bone mineral density was calculated by ultrasound bone densitometer (T-score between +1 and ?1 considered normal). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine the levels of vitamin D and leptin. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 132 male subjects participated in this study, with each of the 3 groups having 44(33.3%). Despite all groups having low Vitamin D, a marked decrease was observed in group C compared to groups A and B (p <0.018). Bone mineral density T-score was <-1; total calcium was within normal range in all three groups. Serum leptin was raised in Group C compared to group A and B (p=0.03). Body fat percentage was negatively associated with vitamin D (p=0.004; r = -0.351), while it was positively correlated with leptin (p =0.038; r = 0.256).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excess of body fat percentage led to decreased vitamin D and raised leptin. However, bone mineral density and calcium levels were within normal range, suggesting that other factors might have played a role in maintaining bone mass in obese individuals, such as leptin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syeda Sadia
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fatima
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farooq
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Maaida Asif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tauni
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D050154:Adiposity; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Obesity, Bone weight, Leptin, Vitamin D, Bioelectric impedance analysis, Bone mineral density.