Serum Leptin Concentrations and Weight Gain in Postobese, Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

NAGY, TIM R., SUSAN L. DAVIES, GARY R. HUNTER, BETTY DARNELL, ROLAND L. WEINSIER. Serum leptin concentrations and weight gain in postobese, postmenopausal women. Obes Res. 1998;6:257-261. Objective: This study was designed to determine if serum leptin concentrations (adjusted for fat mass) after weight loss on a low-calorie diet predict subsequent weight gain. Research Methods and Procedures: Body composition and serum leptin concentrations were determined on 14 moderately obese, postmenopausal, nondiabetic women with a familial predisposition to obesity. Assessments were obtained under tightly controlled metabolic ward conditions of macronutrient intake and weight maintenance both before (obese state) and after a mean weight loss of 12.0 kg to normal body weight (postobese state). Four years later, without intervention, body weight and body composition were reassessed. Results: Weight loss resulted in significant decreases in fat mass (29.7 ± 5.4 vs. 20.3 ± 4.7; kg), body mass index (27.7 ± 1.6 vs. 23.0 ± 1.5; kg/nr'), percent body fat (40.7 ± 4.3 vs. 33.1 ± 5.0), and serum leptin concentrations (31.8 ± 16.0 vs. 11.5 ± 5.4; ng/mL). Serum leptin concentrations were positively correlated (p<0.05) with fat mass in both the obese and postobese states (r=0.67 and r=0.56, respectively). However, residual serum leptin concentrations (adjusted for fat mass) in the obese and postobese states were not related to that relatively low concentrations of leptin predict weight regain after weight loss. However, because the number of subjects in this study was limited, further studies are warranted.

Hormone replacement therapy affects body composition and leptin differently in obese and non-obese postmenopausal women

“…No differences between weight-gaining subjects and weight-stable subjects in baseline leptin or leptin adjusted for FM were found. This is in accordance with two studies (Haffner et al 1998, Nagy et al 1998) but contrasts with the findings in 36 Pima Indians by Ravussin et al (1997), where relatively low levels of leptin were preceding weight gain. However, the Pima Indians were very obese and the weight gain considerably faster compared with the subjects in the present study (>3·0 kg/year).…”

Categorical strategies based on subject characteristics of dietary restraint and physical activity, for weight maintenance

“…As has been shown previously, we observed a strong positive relationship between serum leptin concentrations and FM at any measured time point. [52][53][54][55] After 1 y WM, unsuccessful subjects showed an increase in their leptin concentrations compared to after weight loss, as a consequence of their regain in FM. Successful subjects did not regain FM and thus kept their leptin concentrations reduced.…”

Effects on serum lipid and leptin levels of three different doses of norethisterone continuously combined with a fixed dose of 17β-estradiol for nasal administration in postmenopausal women: a controlled, double-blind study

“…It has been demonstrated that leptin production increased in several animal models of obesity, and that leptin levels have been shown to be positively correlated with body fat mass in human obesity (39). Moreover, it has been suggested that serum leptin levels are positively correlated with fat mass in both obese and postobese state (40). The study by Auverix and Staels (41) may explain our results because they demonstrated that leptin resistance in the obese is responsible for elevated plasma leptin levels in these subjects.…”