Are serum leptin levels predicted by lipoproteins, vitamin D and body composition?

Abstract

BACKGROUND Both obesity and vitamin D deficiency are important health issues in Pakistan. The connection between body composition, Vitamin D and leptin in young adults is important to be studied as body composition may affect bone health and therefore the possibility of osteoporosis in later life. Few studies have attempted to investigate the effect of body composition and leptin with vitamin D in adolescence. AIM To investigate the association of serum leptin with body composition, lipids and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in adults. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 apparently healthy adults. Demographics were recorded, bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed and clinical history noted. Serum leptin was measured using DIA source kit on ELISA and total 25OHD was measured on ADVIA-Centaur; Siemens. Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were quantified using Enzymatic Endpoint Method and Cholesterol Oxidase-Phenol Aminophenazone method respectively. Biochemical analysis was done in the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi Pakistan. RESULTS Median age of the group ( n = 167) was 20 years (IQR 27-20); 55.7% were females. Majority (89.2%, n = 149) of the study group was 25OHD deficient, 6% ( n = 10) had insufficient serum 25OHD levels and 4.8% ( n = 8) had sufficient D levels. Females, had higher median leptin levels [2.71 (IQR 4.76-1.66 ng/mL)] compared to their counterparts [1.3 (3.60-0.54 ng/mL), P < 0.01]. Multiple regression analysis suggested that basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, body fat percent, bone mass and serum 25OHD were the most contributing factors to serum leptin levels. Bone mass and serum 25OHD in fact bore a negative correlation with leptin. CONCLUSION The results indicate that basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, body fat percent, bone mass and serum 25OHD have an impact on serum leptin. Being a cross sectional study causal relationship between leptin and other variables could not be determined.

Calcaneal Ultrasound and Its Relation to Dietary and Lifestyle Factors, Anthropometry, and Vitamin D Deficiency in Young Medical Students

“…The dilemma is that unlike the west, Pakistan does not have a mandatory vitamin D fortification policy in place. Reports have shown that body composition, especially obesity, also increases the prevalence of VDD, and the prevalence of obesity in Pakistan is also reportedly higher ( 23 , 24 ). Anthropometry and body composition are the measurements of certain parameters of the human body and are frequently used to assess nutritional status as well as growth and development of children and adolescents.…”

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the South Asian adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Most of the studies did not mention demographic areas (urban/rural) for study population, 4 studies were conducted among urban populations and two studies included both rural and urban populations. Socio economic status for study participants was not mentioned in most of the studies, 8 studies were conducted on both lower and upper socio-economic groups of population and only one study was conducted on lower class population [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88]. The weighted mean level of vitamin D for study participants was 17.93ng/mL (weighted SD 8.24 ng/mL) [Mean vitamin D level ranged from 8.44 ng/mL to 32ng/mL] and random effect meta-analysis showed that the weighted pooled prevalence of vitamin D de ciency was 73% [95% CI: 63% to 83%] with high degree of heterogeneity (I 2 = 98.20%; p =0.00).…”

Associations Between Body Composition, Leptin, and Vitamin D Varied by the Body Fat Percentage in Adolescents

“…The distribution of fat in adolescents with BMI of 36 ± 5 and %BF of 40 ± 5 might be associated with vitamin D status with decreased 25(OH)D (13). A recent study in young adults aged 20-21 years found that males and females demonstrated positive relationships between serum leptin and BMI, waist circumference, and %BF; however, males showed inverse correlations between serum leptin, MM, and 25(OH)D (5). In adults, the relationship between total body fat and 25(OH)D levels also varied by sex (14).…”

“…Furthermore, serum leptin concentrations are higher in early adolescence than in childhood and may play a role in pubertal development (4). Body fat percentage (%BF), basal metabolic rate, muscle mass (MM), bone mass, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) had an impact on serum leptin (5).…”