title: Relationship between serum leptin and insulin resistance among obese Nigerian women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptin is a hormone produced directly from adipocytes and has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which is characterized by insulin resistance (IR). Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity in sub-Saharan Africa, serum leptin can be explored as a predictive risk factor for T2DM. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum leptin and IR among obese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of obese, adult Nigerian females. Participants with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 and nondiabetic were recruited as subjects. Fasting serum leptin, insulin, and plasma glucose were determined. IR was calculated using the formula: Homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) = (glucose × insulin)/22.5. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty obese females with mean ± standard deviation BMI 39.1 ± 7.2 kg/m2 and serum leptin level 48.4 ± 24.4 ng/ml participated in study. Prevalence of hyperleptinemia was 92.5% (confidence interval: 87.3-97.7%). The relationship between leptin and HOMA-IR among the subjects was: BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2: n = 27, r = 0.18, P = 0.42; BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2: n = 24, r = 0.36, P = 0.11; BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2: n = 29, r = 0.52, P = 0.004*; and after controlling for BMI (n = 29, r = 0.46, P = 0.014*). Multiple linear regression showed that leptin did not predict for IR (P = 0.837).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with IR, which was significant among the Class III (morbid) obesity class. However, leptin was not a predictive factor for IR in obese Nigerian women.
authors: Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
authors: Ifeyinwa
authors: I
authors: Osegbe
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Okpara
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Azinge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; C515448:LEPR protein, human; D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin