Abstract
Circulating leptin concentrations are shown to be influenced not only by hormones, but also by body weight and energy balance. High altitude (HA) exposure induces a daily negative energy balance and stress hormone activation. The aim of our study was to evaluate leptin concentration during both acute and prolonged HA exposure and its correlations with some metabolic and hormonal parameters. Twelve males were studied during a stay at HA (15–20 days at 5,050 m). Blood samples for serum leptin, plasma insulin and 24-h urinary epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) were collected at sea level (SL), at the arrival at HA (A) and after 12–16 days (C) of stay. Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) were evaluated using the Lake Louise score and the results showed there was no relationship with leptin concentrations. During the stay, both body mass index and leptin levels significantly decreased in both groups [leptin from 1.88 (1.12) to 1.21 (1.04) ng/ml, P<0.008, in A; and to 1.06 (0.74) ng/ml, P<0.003, in C]. Acute HA exposure induced a clear-cut significant increase of NE (P<0.001 in A, P<0.003 in C) while E and insulin levels were unchanged in both phases. Moreover, a significant correlation between leptin and NE absolute values, and leptin and insulin variations was found (r 0.359, P<0.034 and r=0.560, P<0.007, respectively). Exposure to HA induces a decrease in fasting serum leptin concentrations in men. These changes are not linked to symptoms of AMS but to hormonal and energy balance variations, suggesting that leptin is involved in the endocrine and metabolic adaptations occurring during HA exposure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boden G, Chen X, Kolaczynski JW, Polansky M (1997) Effects of prolonged hyperinsulinemia on serum leptin in normal human subjects. J Clin Invest 100:1107–1113
Brooks GA, Butterfield GE, Wolfe RR, Groves BM, Mazzeo RS, Sutton JR, Wolfel EE, Reeves JT (1991) Increased dependence on blood glucose after acclimatization to 4,300 m. J Appl Physiol 70:919–927
Butterfield GE, Gates J, Fleming S, Brooks GA, Sutton JR, Reeves JT (1992) Increased energy intake minimizes weight loss in men at high altitude. J Appl Physiol 72:1741–1748
Cammisotto PG, Bukowiecki LJ (2002) Mechanisms of leptin secretion from white adipocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 283: C244–250
Considine RV, Sinha MK, Heiman ML, Kriaciunas A, Stephens TW, Nyce MR, Ohannesian JP, Marco CC, McKee LJ, Bauer TL, Caro JF (1996) Serum immunoreactive leptin concentrations in normal-weight and obese humans. N Engl J Med 334:292–295
Eriksson BM, Gustafsson S, Persson BA (1983) Determination of catecholamines in urine by ion-exchange liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. J Chromatogr 278:255–263
Fritsche A, Wahl HG, Metzinger E, Renn W, Kellerer M, Haring H, Stumvoll M (1998) Evidence for inhibition of leptin secretion by catecholamines in man. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 106:415–418
Kayser B (1992) Nutrition and high altitude exposure Int J Sports Med 13: S129–132
Kolaczynski JW, Considine RV, Ohannesian J, Marco C, Opentanova I, Nyce MR, Myint M, Caro JF (1996a) Responses of leptin to short-term fasting and refeeding in humans. Diabetes 45:1511–1515
Kolaczynski JW, Nyce MR, Considine RV, Boden G, Nolan JJ, Henry R, Mudaliar SR, Olefsky J, Caro JF (1996b) Acute and chronic effects of insulin on leptin production in humans: studies in vivo and in vitro. Diabetes 45:699–701
Kolaczynski JW, Ohannesian J, Considine RV, Marco C, Caro JF (1996c) Responses of leptin to short-term and prolonged overfeeding in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 81:4162–4165
Malmstrom R, Taskinen MR, Karonen SL, Yki-Jarvinen H (1996) Insulin increases plasma leptin concentrations in normal subjects and patients with NIDDM. Diabetologia 39:993–996
Mazzeo RS, Wolfel EE, Butterfield GE, Reeves JT (1994) Sympathetic response during 21 days at high altitude (4,300 m) as determined by urinary and arterial catecholamines. Metabolism 43:1226–1232
Mazzeo RS, Brooks GA, Butterfield GE, Podolin DA, Wolfel EE, Reeves JT (1995) Acclimatization to high altitude increase muscle sympathetic activity both at rest and during exercise. Am J Physiol 269:R201–207
Piccoli A, Piazza P, Noventa D, Pillon L, Zaccaria M (1996) A new method for monitoring high altitude by bioimpedance analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28:1517–1522
Pinkney JH, Coppack SW, Mohamed-Ali V (1998) Effect of isoprenaline on plasma leptin and lipolysis in humans. Clin Endocrinol 48:407–411
Ponchia A, Noventa D, Bertaglia M, Carretta R, Zaccaria M, Miraglia G, Pascotto P, Buja G (1994) Cardiovascular neural regulation during and after prolonged high altitude exposure. Eur Heart J 15:1463–1469
Roach RC (1993) The Lake Louise acute mountain sickness scoring system. In: Sutton JR, Coates G, Houston CS (eds) Hypoxia and molecular medicine. Queen City Printers, Burlington, Vt., pp 272–274
Rostrup M (1998) Catecholamines, hypoxia and high altitude. Acta Physiol Scand 162:389–399
Rowell LB, Johnson DG, Chase PB, Comess KA, Seals DR (1989) Hypoxemia raises muscle sympathetic activity but not norepinephrine in resting humans. J Appl Physiol 66:1736–1743
Sawhney RC, Malhotra AS, Singh T (1991) Glucoregulatory hormones in man at high altitude. Eur J Appl Physiol 62:286–291
Scriba D, Aprath-Husmann I, Blum WF, Hauner H (2000) Catecholamines suppress leptin release from in vitro differentiated subcutaneous human adipocytes in primary culture via beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors. Eur J Endocrinol 143:439–445
Simsch C, Lormes W, Petersen KG, Baur S, Liu Y, Hackney AC, Lehmann M, Steinacker JM (2002) Training intensity influences leptin and thyroid hormones in highly trained rowers. Int J Sports Med 23:422–427
Tschöp M, Strasburger CJ, Hartmann G, Biollaz J, Bartsch P (1998) Raised leptin concentrations at high altitude associated with loss of appetite. Lancet 352:1119–1120
Ward MP, Milledge JS, West JB (eds) (1995) High altitude medicine and physiology. Chapman & Hall Medical, London
Westerterp KR (2001) Energy and water balance at high altitude. News Physiol Sci 16:134–137
Westerterp KR, Kayser B, Wouters L, Le-Trong JL, Richalet JP (1994) Energy balance at high altitude of 6,542m. J Appl Physiol 77:862–866
Young PM, Rose MS, Sutton JR, Green HJ, Cymerman A, Houston CS (1989) Operation Everest II: plasma lipid and hormonal responses during a simulated ascent of Mt. Everest. J Appl Physiol 66:1430–1435
Zaccaria M, Ermolao A, Roi GS, Englaro P, Tegon G, Varnier M (2002) Leptin reduction after endurance races differing in duration and energy expenditure. Eur J Appl Physiol 87:108–111
Acknowledgements
This study was carried out within the framework of the Ev-K2-CNR “Scientific and Technological Research in Himalaya and Karakorum” project and in collaboration with the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) as foreseen by the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Nepal and the Government of the Republic of Italy. The research conducted was also made possible thanks to contributions from the Veneto Region (Italy), the Italian National Research Council, the National Institute for Scientific and Technological Mountain Research and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The experiments comply with the current laws of Italy and Nepal.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zaccaria, M., Ermolao, A., Bonvicini, P. et al. Decreased serum leptin levels during prolonged high altitude exposure. Eur J Appl Physiol 92, 249–253 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1070-0
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1070-0