| Serum Leptin Levels in Children with Obesity |
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Byung Churl Lee, Moon Young Song, Byung Kyu Suh |
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Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea |
| 비만아에서 혈중 leptin농도 |
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이병철, 송문영, 서병규 |
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가톨릭대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실 |
Correspondence:
Byung Churl Lee, Email: 1
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| Abstract |
Purpose
: The identification of the ob gene and its adipocyte-specific protein leptin has provided
the first physiologic links to the regulatory system controlling body weight. In adults, elevations
of serum leptin concentrations correlated closely with the percentage of body fat. This study
investigated whether leptin concentrations were elevated in obese children, and the relationship
between leptin concentrations and gender and pubertal stage.
Methods
: The obese group was composed of 84 children(56 boys and 28 girls) with mean age
9.9¡¾1.7 years. All obese children had an obesity index greater than 20. Twenty-five normal children(
19 boys and 6 girls) with mean age 9.5¡¾3.1 years constituted the control group. All in
children of the control group had an obesity index less than 20. We measured height, weight,
blood pressure, midarm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, waist and hip circumference in
all subjects. Body mass index(BMI) was calculated by weight in kilograms divided by the square
of height in meters. Arm fat was calculated from the measured midarm circumference and triceps
skinfold thickness according to the formulas provided by Must et al. We measured serum AST/
ALT, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in all
subjects. Radioimmunoassay for serum leptin was performed on a blood sample collected from
each child after an overnight fast.
Results
: The mean serum concentration of leptin in the obese group(14.5¡¾7.0ng/ml) was significantly
higher than that in the control group(4.7¡¾3.1ng/ml)(P < 0.05). Serum leptin concentrations
significantly correlated with obesity index(r=0.54), BMI(r=0.50), and arm fat(r=0.46)(P < 0.05). Girls
had significantly higher leptin level than boys(P < 0.05). Tanner stage had no effect on leptin
concentration.
Conclusion
: As in adults, obese children have high concentrations of serum leptin, which highly
correlates with obesity index, arm fat and BMI. Increased adipose tissue in children is associated
directly with serum leptin concentration. Compared to boys, girls had higher leptin concentrations. |
| Key Words:
Leptin, Obesity |
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