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Serum Leptin Levels in a Patient with Pheochromocytoma^h

Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Kyoto 602, Japan

Takaaki Mizutani and Yuuji Nakagaw

Ayabe Municipal Hospital Ayabe 623, Japan

We read with great interest the report of Masuzaki et al. (1), which showed that serum leptin levels were increased in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. However, serum leptin levels in a patient with pheochromocytoma, another adrenal tumor, were not described.

A 72-yr-old man complaining of episodic headaches, nausea, palpitations, and perspiration was referred to our department in October 1997. Physical examination showed that the patient was agitated and had striking peripheral vasoconstriction. Blood pressure varied between 240/130 and 80/40 mm Hg; the patient did not have orthostatic hypotension. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels were increased (2.20 ng/mL and 0.86 ng/mL, respectively), although serum cortisol and aldosterone levels were normal. Twenty-four-hour urinary noradrenaline and adrenaline were also increased (882 µg/day and 138 µg/day, respectively). A tentative diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was made. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a mass measuring approximately 4 cm in diameter in the left adrenal gland. Pathological examination after left-sided adrenalectomy were compatible with pheochromocytoma. After surgery, the patient had no symptoms and was normotensive. Although serum leptin levels were low before surgery, serum leptin levels were increased with diurnal rhythms 1 month after surgery (Table 1).

Footnotes

Address correspondence to: Toshihide Yoshida, First Department of Internal Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamikyo-ku, Kyoto 602, Japan.

Received December 31, 1997.

References

1. Masuzaki H, Ogawa Y, Hosoda K, et al. 1997 Glucocorticoid regulation of leptin synthesis and secretion in humans: elevated plasma leptin levels in Cushing’s syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 82:2542–2547.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Kosaka A, Yamada K, Kuzuya H. 1996 Reduced expression of the leptin gene (ob) by catecholamine through a G(S) protein-coupled pathway in 3T3–L1 adipocytes. Diabetes. 45:1744–1749.[Abstract]
3. Trayhurn P, Thomas MEA, Durcan JS, et al. 1995 Acute cold-induced suppression of ob (obese) gene expression in white adipose tissue of mice: mediation by the sympathetic system. Biochem J. 311:729–733.
4. Hardie LJ, Rayner DV, Holemes S, et al. 1996 Circulating leptin levels are modulated by fasting, cold exposure, and insulin administration in lean but not Zucker (fa/fa) rats as measured by ELISA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 25:60–665.[CrossRef]
5. Gettys TW, Harkness PJ, Watson PM. 1996 The ß₃-adrenergic receptor inhibits insulin-stimulated leptin secretion from isolated rat adipocytes. Endocrinology. 137:4054–4057.[Abstract]

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