Decreased Serum Leptin Concentration in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Previously reported data suggest that serum leptin concentration changes in some acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess serum leptin concentration in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Forty-four male patients with chronic pancreatitis and 16 healthy (male) subjects were examined. Fasting blood samples were collected from patients and healthy controls. Serum leptin and insulin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay method. Significantly lower serum leptin concentration in patients with chronic pancreatitis than in healthy subjects was found. No significant difference in serum leptin concentration between patients without and with exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis on admission was observed. Moreover, patients with chronic pancreatitis had (a) lower serum insulin concentration, (b) higher serum glucose concentration, and (c) lower body mass index than healthy subjects. The results presented in this article indicate that chronic pancreatitis in humans is associated with the decrease in serum leptin concentration. One can suppose that the decrease in serum insulin concentration, maldigestion, and fat loss all contribute to the decrease of serum leptin concentration in chronic pancreatitis.