Paper
International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 1230–1235. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803027; published online 5 July 2005
Circulating soluble leptin receptor, leptin, and insulin resistance before and after weight loss in obese children
T Reinehr1, J Kratzsch2, W Kiess3 and W Andler1
- 1Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents Datteln, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
- 2University of Leipzig, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany
- 3University of Leipzig, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig, Germany
Correspondence: Dr T Reinehr, Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents Datteln, University of Witten/Herdecke, Dr F Steiner Str. 5, 45711 Datteln, Germany. E-mail: T.Reinehr@kinderklinik-datteln.de
Received 28 November 2004; Revised 24 April 2005; Accepted 29 May 2005; Published online 5 July 2005.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To study the relationships between leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R), and insulin resistance in obese children before and after weight reduction.
METHODS:
We determined fasting serum leptin, sOB-R, and insulin resistance index (Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)) in 36 obese children at baseline and 1 y later and compared them to 72 lean children matched for age, gender, and pubertal stage. The changes of leptin (
leptin) and sOB-R (sOB-R) over the 1 y period were correlated to the changes of HOMA (HOMA), the changes of weight status, and the changes of percentage body fat (%BF) based on skinfold measurements. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for the dependent variables leptin and sOB-R, including BMI and HOMA as independent variables adjusted for age, gender, and pubertal stage. Changes of leptin and sOB-R levels were analyzed in 11 obese children after they had lost weight substantially (decrease SDS-BMI>0.5) and compared to 11 obese children without substantial weight loss matched for age, gender, and pubertal stage.
RESULTS:
Obese children showed significantly (P<0.001) higher leptin and lower sOB-R levels. leptin correlated significantly to SDS-BMI (r=0.28, P<0.05), %BF (r=0.44, P<0.05), and HOMA (r=0.42, P<0.01), while sOB-R correlated significantly to SDS-BMI (r=-0.42, P<0.01) and %BF (r=-0.47, P<0.01), but not to HOMA. In contrast to sOB-R, leptin correlated significantly to HOMA (P=0.02) in multiple linear regression analysis. Substantial weight loss led to a significant increase in sOB-R (P=0.02) and to a decrease in HOMA (P=0.02). In children without substantial weight loss, there were no changes in sOB-R, while HOMA (P=0.04) and leptin (P=0.02) increased significantly.
CONCLUSIONS:
The decrease of sOB-R and the increase of leptin levels in obese children normalized after weight loss. Therefore, these changes are consequences rather than the cause of overweight. In contrast to sOB-R, leptin levels are associated with insulin resistance.
Keywords:
sOB-R, leptin, children, weight loss, insulin resistance
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