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Horm Metab Res 2010; 42(8): 585-589
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253422
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Leptin, Soluble Leptin Receptors, Free Leptin Index, and Their Relationship with Insulin Resistance and BMI: High Normal BMI is the Threshold for Serum Leptin Increase in Humans

M. Owecki1 , E. Nikisch2 , A. Miczke3 , D. Pupek-Musialik3 , J. Sowiński1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
  • 2Department of Informatics and Statistics, University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
  • 3Department of Internal Diseases, Metabolic Disturbances and Hypertension, University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

received 08.01.2010

accepted 14.04.2010

Publication Date:
07 May 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Leptin binds to the soluble form of its receptor (sOB-R). Leptin and sOB-R balance (free leptin index, FLI) reflect leptin activity. Leptin correlates with obesity and insulin resistance, but it remains uncertain whether sOB-R and FLI also do the same. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure serum leptin, sOB-R, and FLI, and evaluate their associations with BMI and insulin resistance. We studied 145 obese and 49 nonobese humans. Obesity was defined according to WHO (BMI >30 kg/m2). Results are given as: median and interquartile range, obese vs. nonobese, respectively. Leptin (ng/ml): 30.83, 37.27 vs. 8.31, 10.04; sOB-R (ng/ml): 17.62, 17.05 vs. 27.25, 11.30; FLI: 231.2, 310.0 vs. 30.85, 27.77; HOMA: 5.99, 6.64 vs. 3.92, 4.52; p<0.001 for all. Serum leptin, sOB-R, and FLI did not correlate with insulin resistance separately in obese and nonobese humans. Leptin and FLI, but not sOB-R, were associated with insulin resistance in obese and nonobese subjects examined together. Leptin, sOB-R and FLI differed between obese and nonobese humans, and, except sOB-R, correlated with BMI. In piecewise linear regression, BMI threshold where leptin increased was 24.6 (r=0.5969, p=0.00016 and <0.00001). Leptin and its free index, but not sOB-R, correlate with BMI only in a mixed obese and nonobese human cohort, and not in isolated obese or nonobese groups. Moreover, BMI threshold where leptin starts to increase is 24.6 kg/m2, which is lower than the cutoff for overweight. Under the conditions, metabolic abnormalities may occur in parallel to much lower BMI levels as expected so far.

Key words

insulin resistance - adipose tissue - obesity

References

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Correspondence

M. Owecki

Department of Endocrinology

Metabolism and Internal

Medicine

ul. Przybyszewskiego 49

60-355 Poznań

Poland

Phone: +48/61/8691 330

Fax: +48/61/8691 682

Email: mowecki@ump.edu.pl

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