BACKGROUND/AIM: Basal plasma leptin levels are higher in women than in men and also higher in obese than in lean subjects, but the dynamic leptin secretion has not been well studied. We tested whether the leptin secretory response to glucocorticoid or insulin differs by gender and adiposity status. METHODS: Seventy-nine nondiabetic adults, comprising lean [body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) < or =25; n = 27], obese (BMI 30-40; n = 28), and massively obese (BMI >40; n = 24) subjects, participated in two separate studies. In study 1, the subjects received oral dexamethasone (4 mg), with blood sampling before and 8 and 16 h after ingestion. In study 2, the subjects underwent a two-step hyperinsulinemic (1.0 mU.kg(-1)/min for 3 h, then 2.0 mU.kg(-1)/min for 3 h), euglycemic (approximately 100 mg/dl) clamp. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and every 20 min during the clamp. RESULTS: Basal and stimulated leptin levels were higher in women than in men, and higher in the obese groups than in lean subjects. The percentage increase above baseline leptin was similar among men and women within each group, but was approximately 30% lower in massively obese compared to lean subjects. CONCLUSION: Leptin secretory responses to glucocorticoid or insulin stimulation are preserved across a broad adiposity range, with higher absolute responses in women than in men. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Basal plasma leptin levels are higher in women than in men and also higher in obese than in lean subjects, but the dynamic leptin secretion has not been well studied. We tested whether the leptin secretory response to glucocorticoid or insulin differs by gender and adiposity status. METHODS: Seventy-nine nondiabetic adults, comprising lean [body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) < or =25; n = 27], obese (BMI 30-40; n = 28), and massively obese (BMI >40; n = 24) subjects, participated in two separate studies. In study 1, the subjects received oral dexamethasone (4 mg), with blood sampling before and 8 and 16 h after ingestion. In study 2, the subjects underwent a two-step hyperinsulinemic (1.0 mU.kg(-1)/min for 3 h, then 2.0 mU.kg(-1)/min for 3 h), euglycemic (approximately 100 mg/dl) clamp. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and every 20 min during the clamp. RESULTS: Basal and stimulated leptin levels were higher in women than in men, and higher in the obese groups than in lean subjects. The percentage increase above baseline leptin was similar among men and women within each group, but was approximately 30% lower in massively obese compared to lean subjects. CONCLUSION:Leptin secretory responses to glucocorticoid or insulin stimulation are preserved across a broad adiposity range, with higher absolute responses in women than in men. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: C Kirschbaum; E Gonzalez Bono; N Rohleder; C Gessner; K M Pirke; A Salvador; D H Hellhammer Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 1997-04 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: R V Considine; M K Sinha; M L Heiman; A Kriauciunas; T W Stephens; M R Nyce; J P Ohannesian; C C Marco; L J McKee; T L Bauer Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1996-02-01 Impact factor: 91.245