Original Article

International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 122–128. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803070; published online 13 September 2005

Fasting leptin and appetite responses induced by a 4-day 65%-energy-restricted diet

M Mars1, C de Graaf1, C P G M de Groot1, C T M van Rossum2 and F J Kok1

  1. 1Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
  2. 2Centre for Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

Correspondence: Dr C de Graaf, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, NL-6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: Kees.deGraaf@wur.nl

Received 30 November 2004; Revised 29 June 2005; Accepted 31 July 2005; Published online 13 September 2005.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

Animal studies show that the leptin decline after acute severe caloric restriction is a peripheral signal to increase food intake. However, most human studies have failed to observe such a relationship. We studied the acute effects of severe caloric restriction on the association between serum leptin concentrations and subjective appetite.

Subjects:

 

A total of 44 healthy adult men (aged: 43plusminus5 years; BMI: 27.3plusminus3.2 kg/m2).

Measurements:

 

Fasting serum leptin concentrations and self-perceived appetite levels were measured during a 4-day diet containing 36% of the estimated energy requirements. Appetite levels were assessed with a 10-point Likert scale, reflecting hunger, fullness, desire to eat, prospective consumption and total appetite.

Results:

 

After the 4-day energy deficit, fasting leptin concentrations decreased by 39.4% (95% CI: -43.6; -34.9%). This decline was associated with an increase in fasting hunger (r=-0.42; P<0.01), desire to eat (r=-0.39; P<0.05) and total appetite (r=-0.38; P<0.05). Furthermore, the association between fasting leptin concentrations and fasting appetite levels became stronger during the energy restriction period (for total appetite: day 0 r=-0.15, P=0.32; day 2 r=-0.31, P=<0.05; day 4 r=-0.41, P<0.01).

Conclusions:

 

The acute proportional reduction in fasting leptin after 4-day energy restriction is associated with an increase in self-perceived appetite. Additionally, the inverse association between proportional fasting leptin concentrations and self-perceived appetite response becomes stronger as energy restriction is prolonged. These findings suggest that leptin has an instrumental role in restoring energy balance in humans through the expression of appetite.

Keywords:

ob-protein, appetite regulation, hunger, caloric restriction, adult men

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