Subcutaneous adipose tissue layers as a stable correlate of leptin in response to short term energy restriction in obese girls

Abstract

AIMS:We studied the relationship of subcutaneous adipose tissue layers (SAT-layers) measured at 15 specified body sites with leptin before and after a weight loss program for three weeks. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 70 obese girls, SAT-layers were measured by means of the optical device, lipometer. Fat mass (FM) was estimated by means of bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, all estimates of adiposity, insulin, and SAT-layers from the upper body (from 1 -neck to 6 -lateral chest) were correlated to leptin at a P-value of < 0.0001. Percentage FM together with SAT-layer 4 -upper back and insulin explained 75% of the variation in leptin (P < 0.0001). After three weeks, estimates of adiposity and leptin were reduced (all P < 0.0001). Most SAT-layers were reduced, but SAT-layers 8 -lower abdomen and 9 -lower back were significantly increased. Changes in leptin were best explained by initial leptin, but percentage change (D) in insulin, D SAT-layer 1 -neck, and D SAT-layer 3 -biceps contributed to the D leptin (adj. r 2 ¼ 0.47, P < 0.0001). In the weight-reduced state, circulating leptin was best explained by three SAT-layers and insulin (adj. r 2 ¼ 0.67, P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: The results suggest that D changes in leptin are attributable to changes in the endocrine state and subcutaneous fat, and SAT-layers may serve as a stable correlate of leptin in the weight-reduced state.

Leptin responses to insulin administration in children with short stature

“…Our observation of a positive correlation between plasma leptin levels and IGF-1 in children with short stature complements previous studies in prepubertal [31] and peripubertal [32] children and in children with severe malnutrition [33]. As it has been demonstrated that body fat mass is a main determinant for plasma leptin levels [4,5,19,28,34] and IGF-1 is positively correlated with nutritional status [23,35], the close relationship between plasma leptin levels and IGF-1 can be explained. This finding is supported by our data demonstrating higher IGF-1 levels in patients with higher BMI.…”

Leptin: A potential biomarker for childhood obesity?

“…The researchers suggest that the obese individuals with appropriate baseline levels are more sensitive to environmental factors; therefore, they are more likely to respond to intervention programmes. Overall, leptin changes during interventions are best determined by initial leptin concentrations [120,139,140,[142][143][144]. This insight is important in understanding the predictive ability of leptin for an individual's ability to lose body fat and to act as a biological marker in childhood obesity.…”

Viewpoint 5

“…In addition to the functional distinction of subcutaneous adipocytes from different layers, there is significant divergence in subcutaneous adipocyte characteristics or function even within a layer (1,14–17). In swine, outer layer subcutaneous adipocytes located in distal locations are less lipogenic than outer layer subcutaneous adipocytes in more proximal locations (1).…”

“…In swine, outer layer subcutaneous adipocytes located in distal locations are less lipogenic than outer layer subcutaneous adipocytes in more proximal locations (1). In man, distal and proximal subcutaneous adipocytes respond differentially to weight loss and account for serum leptin levels to different degrees (15,16). Furthermore, non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with an increase in more proximal (upper trunk) subcutaneous adipose tissue accretion in men and women (17,18) and a decrease in distal (lower leg) subcutaneous adipose tissue accretion in women (17).…”