Changes in Plasma Leptin and Zinc Status of Women Mountaineers at High Altitude (Short Communication)

Abstract

The loss of body weight due to suppressed appetite at high altitude is very common. The hormone leptin and trace metal zinc have key roles in appetite regulation. In the present study, changes in leptin and zinc status of female mountaineers with and without supplementation with zinc have been investigated. Plasma leptin, zinc and enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.5) and 5' nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.1) of 25 women mountaineers between age group 17-25 yr were studied. The women mountaineers were divided into two groups, i.e., placebo control (n = 7) and supplemented with zinc at dose 15 mg/day for 21 days (n = 18) and all variables were analysed initially at 1981 m, at high altitude (4572-5182 m) and on return to initial altitude. The basal leptin level for both the groups combined was 3.12 ± 0.57 ng/ml (mean ± SD). Plasma leptin levels were found increased by 24 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively at high altitude and after return in case of control group, whereas in case of zinc-supplemented group, there was a statistically non-significant decrease of 20 per cent at high altitude in comparison to basal values. Thereafter, levels were maintained at baseline. There was no significant change in zinc status of control group as indicated by plasma zinc as well as maintained activities of alkaline phosphatase and 5' nucleotidase in the present study. On the other hand, zinc-supplemented group showed increase in zinc status at high altitude, which was evident by increased plasma zinc levels. On return from high altitude, plasma zinc levels were low in comparison to high altitude but still higher than that of basal. Results indicate beneficial effects of zinc supplementation by decreasing leptin levels at high altitude