This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eckert, E. D. Articles by Bowers, C. Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Eckert, E. D. Articles by Bowers, C. Y.

Leptin in Anorexia Nervosa¹

Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota (E.D.E., N.R., P.T.), Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455; the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky (C.P.), Lexington, Kentucky 40536; and the Department of Medicine and General Clinical Research Center, Tulane University (P.F.K., C.Y.B.), New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Elke D. Eckert, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Hospital, Box 393, Mayo Building, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455.

Serum leptin levels are low in untreated anorexia nervosa, but studies of the exact relationship between leptin and body weight and the impact of refeeding in anorectics are limited. Therefore, we studied serum leptin, insulin-like growth factor I, and other endocrine parameters in female anorectics before and after gaining weight and in female normal body weight controls. Leptin levels in untreated anorectics were significantly lower than those in normal body weight controls (3.6 ± 1.6 vs. 12.0 ± 6.9 ng/mL; P < 0.001), and they uncoupled from body weight in a nonlinear relationship, suggesting a threshold effect at lowest body weights. Leptin increased significantly with refeeding (5.6 ±3.8 ng/mL; P < 0.01). The significant linear correlations of leptin with body mass index in the anorectics after weight gain and in normal body weight controls (r = 0.69; P < 0.001 and r = 0.76; P < 0.001, respectively) are consistent with a normal physiological increase in leptin with weight gain. Leptin and insulin-like growth factor I were highly correlated, even after controlling for body weight (r = 0.63; P = 0.001) during starvation, but were no longer significantly correlated after body weight gain in the anorectics or the normal body weight controls. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the relationship of leptin to neuroendrocrine abnormalities seen in starvation and to determine a possible contribution of leptin to difficulties with weight restoration in anorexia nervosa.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. M. DiMarco, L. Dart, and C. Sanborn Modified activity-stress paradigm in an animal model of the female athlete triad J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2007; 103(5): 1469 - 1478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Stein, E. Vasquez-Garibay, J. Kratzsch, E. Romero-Velarde, and G. Jahreis Influence of Nutritional Recovery on the Leptin Axis in Severely Malnourished Children J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2006; 91(3): 1021 - 1026. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Franchimont, S. Roland, T. Gustot, E. Quertinmont, Y. Toubouti, M.-C. Gervy, J. Deviere, and A. Van Gossum Impact of Infliximab on Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Crohn's Disease J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3510 - 3516. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Haas, S. Onur, T. Paul, D. O Nutzinger, A. Bosy-Westphal, M. Hauer, G. Brabant, H. Klein, and M. J Muller Leptin and body weight regulation in patients with anorexia nervosa before and during weight recovery Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2005; 81(4): 889 - 896. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Schurgin, B. Canavan, P. Koutkia, A. M. DePaoli, and S. Grinspoon Endocrine and Metabolic Effects of Physiologic r-metHuLeptin Administration during Acute Caloric Deprivation in Normal-Weight Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2004; 89(11): 5402 - 5409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Pannacciulli, R. Vettor, G. Milan, M. Granzotto, A. Catucci, G. Federspil, P. De Giacomo, R. Giorgino, and G. De Pergola Anorexia Nervosa Is Characterized by Increased Adiponectin Plasma Levels and Reduced Nonoxidative Glucose Metabolism J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2003; 88(4): 1748 - 1752. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Tolle, M. Kadem, M.-T. Bluet-Pajot, D. Frere, C. Foulon, C. Bossu, R. Dardennes, C. Mounier, P. Zizzari, F. Lang, et al. Balance in Ghrelin and Leptin Plasma Levels in Anorexia Nervosa Patients and Constitutionally Thin Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2003; 88(1): 109 - 116. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Lissett, P. E. Clayton, and S. M. Shalet The Acute Leptin Response to GH J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2001; 86(9): 4412 - 4415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Resto, D. O'Connor, K. Leef, V. Funanage, M. Spear, and R. Locke Leptin Levels in Preterm Human Breast Milk and Infant Formula Pediatrics, July 1, 2001; 108(1): e15 - 15. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. C. Jimerson, C. Mantzoros, B. E. Wolfe, and E. D. Metzger Decreased Serum Leptin in Bulimia Nervosa J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2000; 85(12): 4511 - 4514. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Polito, A. Fabbri, A. Ferro-Luzzi, M. Cuzzolaro, L. Censi, D. Ciarapica, E. Fabbrini, and D. Giannini Basal metabolic rate in anorexia nervosa: relation to body composition and leptin concentrations Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2000; 71(6): 1495 - 1502. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. V. Zlokovic, S. Jovanovic, W. Miao, S. Samara, S. Verma, and C. L. Farrell Differential Regulation of Leptin Transport by the Choroid Plexus and Blood-Brain Barrier and High Affinity Transport Systems for Entry into Hypothalamus and Across the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Endocrinology, April 1, 2000; 141(4): 1434 - 1441. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Rosenbaum and R. L. Leibel Role of Gonadal Steroids in the Sexual Dimorphisms in Body Composition and Circulating Concentrations of Leptin J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 1999; 84(6): 1784 - 1789. [Full Text]

				J. F. Morgan, J. Bolton, P. M. Sedgwick, S. Patel, and J. H. Lacey Changes in Plasma Concentrations of Leptin and Body Fat Composition during Weight Restoration in Anorexia Nervosa J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 1999; 84(6): 2257 - 2257. [Full Text]

				G. Van den Berghe, P. Wouters, F. Weekers, S. Mohan, R. C. Baxter, J. D. Veldhuis, C. Y. Bowers, and R. Bouillon Reactivation of Pituitary Hormone Release and Metabolic Improvement by Infusion of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide and Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone in Patients with Protracted Critical Illness J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 1999; 84(4): 1311 - 1323. [Abstract] [Full Text]