Serum Leptin Levels In Patients Research Articles

Preoperative serum leptin levels in patients with breast cancer

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived protein and plays an important role in the control of body weight by acting as a neurohormone regulating energy balance and food intake in the hypothalamus. The high serum leptin levels and the overexpression of leptin receptors have been documented in breast cancer patients, but the levels never checked preoperatively. In the present study, the relationship between preoperative serum leptin levels of the breast cancer patients and the healthy controls were evaluated. The serum leptin levels in 30 breast cancer patients were compared to 30 healthy female volunteers. In addition, the association of serum leptin levels and the various well-known risk factors were studied. Serum leptin levels of patients with breast cancer (28.55 + 19.7 ng/ml) were tended to be higher than those of controls (26.43 + 19.4 ng/ml), but it did not reach statistical difference (P = 0.712). There was significant correlation between the expression of ER, PR, and serum leptin levels (P = 0.018 and 0.037, respectively), but not with the HER-2/neu receptor expression (P = 0.067). Also association was not found between the tumor size, lymph node involvement, and the levels of serum leptin (P = 0.235, 0.34, and 0.86, respectively). The serum leptin level was also found to be similar in premenopausal (24.85 +/- 18.14 ng/ml) and postmenopausal (30.49 +/- 17.19 ng/ml) patients (P = 0.235). The preoperative serum leptin levels in breast cancer patients were similar to healthy controls. In subset analysis, the significant correlation between the leptin level and hormonal status was noted, but association with HER-2/neu was not detected. These findings should be confirmed with larger studies.

Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Pollen-Induced Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index (BMI) and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum leptin levels in a cohort of patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, enrolled outside the pollen season, and in a group of healthy controls. Methods: The study included 75 subjects: 41 patients with moderate–severe persistent allergic rhinitis due to a pollen allergy and 34 normal subjects. All subjects were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum leptin levels, eosinophils, specific IgE, and nasal challenge were performed in all subjects. Results: After analyzing genders separately, female allergic patients showed significantly higher levels than normal females (p = 0.031), whereas the comparison between allergic and normal males was not significant (p = 0.9651). Leptin serum levels were significantly related with age in normal (p = 0.0059) and allergic (p = 0.0042) females. In addition, BMI and leptin levels were significantly correlated (p = 0.01) in all allergic patients; there were other significant relationships between leptin levels and symptom severity in females (p = 0063, r = 0.68), peripheral eosinophils in males (p = 0.023, r = 0.49), and allergen threshold dose at nasal challenge in both genders (males: p = 0.0001, r = –0.85; females: p = 0.0001, r = –0.95). Conclusions: This preliminary study provides the first evidence of significantly higher leptin serum levels in female patients with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis outside the pollen season.

A Prospective Study of Body Weight and Serum Leptin Levels in Patients Treated With Topiramate

We prospectively studied 26 (10 women) patients (age, 37.4 +/- 10.3 years) with different types of refractory focal epilepsy who received topiramate as adjunctive treatment. Body mass indices (BMI, kg/m2) and serum leptin levels (SLL) were investigated at baseline (n = 26) and 9.5 +/- 2.9 (T1; n = 21) and 25.0 +/- 3.5 (T2; n = 18) weeks after initiation of topiramate. We found significant reductions in BMI (T1, -0.4 +/- 0.7; T2, -1.3 +/- 2.1 kg/m2) but not in SLL, although a tendency for reduced SLL was observed for women. Serum leptin level changes were mostly within the range between fifth and 95th sex-specific BMI-adjusted reference percentiles. Significant inverse correlations were found between baseline values and changes in both BMI (T2; r = -0.76; P < 0.001) and SLL (T2; r = -0.65; P = 0.003). Patients with BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 or greater showed the highest weight loss at T2 (-4.8 +/- 3.2 kg/m2). Our findings do not provide evidence for a direct causal involvement of leptin in topiramate-related weight loss.

Rosiglitazone improves insulin sensitivity with increased serum leptin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is known to be an agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and promotes differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes. Leptin is highly correlated with adiposity, while the activation of PPARγ is known to inhibit Lep gene expression and leptin release. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between changes in circulating leptin levels, insulin sensitivity and regional adiposity after RSG treatment. Two hundred fifty-one type 2 diabetic patients (176 men and 75 women) who had been treated with sulfonylurea and/or metformin received 4 mg of RSG daily, in addition to the previous medications. Before and after RSG treatment (average duration 5.6 ± 0.9 months), indices of insulin resistance, metabolic parameters, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured. Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT max) and visceral fat thickness were measured by sonography. After RSG treatment, HOMA-IR index decreased significantly (2.82 ± 1.94 vs. 2.01 ± 1.58), while BMI and SFT max increased, and leptin (4.72 ± 3.77 vs. 5.69 ± 4.30 ng/ml) and adiponectin levels (7.54 ± 10.20 vs. 12.89 ± 10.13 μg/ml) increased. The increase in serum leptin correlated with an increase in SFT max ( r = 0.511, p < 0.001) and with a reduction in HOMA-IR ( r = −0.368, p < 0.001). The correlation of Δleptin with ΔHOMA-IR and with ΔSFT max was higher in females and among insulin-resistant subjects. In conclusion, RSG improves the insulin sensitivity with increased serum leptin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is related to an increase in subcutaneous adiposity.

Serum leptin levels are higher in females affected by frontotemporal lobar degeneration than Alzheimer’s disease

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) includes different heterogeneous conditions, mainly characterised by personality changes, along with cognitive deficits in language and executive functions. Movement disorders are variably represented. Behavioural disturbances constitute...

Serum Levels of Adipocytokines, Adiponectin and Leptin, in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is frequently complicated by metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and hypertension. Both OSAS and metabolic syndrome are strongly associated with obesity. Recently, adiponectin and leptin, which are secreted by adipose tissue, have been considered to play important roles in the progression of these diseases. Thus, to examine the association between leptin, adiponectin and OSAS, we measured the serum level of these adipocytokines in the same OSAS patients. Sixty-eight consecutive Japanese men, who recorded all-night polysomnography, were enrolled in this study, and were divided into three groups, control (n=15), moderate OSAS (n=21) and severe OSAS (n=32). We measured serum levels of adiponectin and leptin by ELISA. Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.552, p<0.001), the percentage of time with less than 90% hemoglobin saturation level in total sleep time (%T<90) (r=0.399, p<0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.807, p<0.0001). These parameters were suggested as the determinant factor for the serum leptin level by stepwise multiple regression analysis. On the other hand, serum adiponectin levels showed a positive correlation with age (r=0.361, p=0.005) and HDL-cholesterol level (r=0.274, p=0.039). Although there was no significant correlation between serum adiponectin levels and AHI or %T<90, serum adiponectin levels were chosen at a determinant factor of %T<90. These results suggested that the increasing severity of OSAS induces an increase in setum leptin concentration, but the serum adiponectin levels may be regulated independently of the degree of OSAS, obesity and serum leptin levels in patients with OSAS.

Serum Leptin Levels and Lipid Profiles in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and Mild Asthma

Background Despite improved understanding of the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and asthma, the effect of serum leptin level is still controversial. Only a few studies have been performed to investigate the serum leptin levels in allergic rhinitis and asthma, and contradictory results have been observed. Objective We aimed to investigate the association between leptin, lipid profiles and allergic rhinitis and mild asthma, and to determine whether inhaled and/or intranasal steroids affect the leptin levels. Patients and methods We studied 43 patients with allergic rhinitis (10 of with mild asthma) (mean age 29.81, range 18-45 yr) and 32 volunteers as a control group (mean age 30.53, range 20-45 yr). Results Serum leptin levels in patients were 8.49 ± 10.76 μg/ml, and did not differ from volunteers 5.42 ± 6.63 μg/ml. (p > 0.05). We found a direct link between increased body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels (p = 0.008). No association was seen between leptin and triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, eosinophil, total IgE (p > 0.05); except for total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). Although, no correlation between allergic rhinitis and mild asthma and serum level of leptin was shown, these parameters and age correlations were stronger in female than in male (p = 0.39 for male and p = 0.011 for female), and also found direct link between increased BMI and sex and patients group (p = 0.008 for male and p = 0.0001 for female). We also determined that there was no effect of inhaled and/or intranasal steroids statistically on serum leptin levels. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that the serum levels of leptin and lipid profiles on allergic rhinitis and mild asthma were not different than those in controls.

Serum leptin levels in patients with nasal polyposis

Nasal polyposis is one of the most common inflammatory pathologies of the nasal cavity. The aetiopathogenetic mechanisms of nasal polyp formation are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum leptin levels in patients with nasal polyposis. A randomised, prospective study was performed of 28 adult patients with nasal polyposis and 22 control subjects of a similar age, sex and body mass index. Serum leptin levels were 12.10 +/- 9.39 ng/ml in the nasal polyposis patients and 6.17 +/- 7.68 ng/ml in the controls. A significant difference (p = 0.021) was observed in the mean serum leptin levels between nasal polyposis patients and controls. Serum leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with nasal polyposis. Leptin, apart from its primary role in the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure, may have a role in the inflammatory response of nasal polyposis.

An assessment of serum leptin levels in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: a prospective study

BackgroundThe role of leptin in the course of liver disease due to chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) remains controversial. Our aims were to investigate the relationship between serum leptin concentrations and the severity of liver disease in a cohort of subjects with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC) and to analyze the effect of body composition, the leptin system and insulin resistance together with viral factors on virologic response to antiviral treatment.MethodsWe studied 50 (36 men) consecutive patients suffering from biopsy-proven CVH due to HBV (n = 25) or HCV (n = 25) infection. Thirty-two (17 men) healthy volunteers served as controls. Levels of serum leptin and insulin were determined by immunoassays at baseline and at the end of the treatment.ResultsA significant association between serum leptin levels and the stage of hepatic fibrosis was noted; patients with cirrhosis presented higher serum leptin levels compared to those with lower fibrosis stage [CHB patients (17436 pg/ml vs 6028.5 pg/ml, p = 0.03), CHC patients (18014 pg/ml vs 4385 pg/ml, p = 0.05]. An inverse correlation between lower leptin levels and response to lamivudine monotherapy was noted in patients with CHB; those with a virologic response presented lower serum leptin levels (5334 vs 13111.5 pg/ml; p-value = 0.003) than non-responders. In genotype 1 CHC patients, insulin resistance played a significant role in the response to antiviral therapy.ConclusionOur data clearly suggest that cirrhosis due to CHB or CHC is associated with higher leptin levels. Increased serum leptin levels represent a negative prognostic factor for response to lamivudine monotherapy in patients with CHB. In CHC patients insulin resistance strongly influences the response to antiviral treatment in patients infected with genotype 1.

Clinical significance of the Serum leptin levels in patients with post-hepatitis liver cirrhosis

目的 测定肝炎后肝硬化患者血清瘦素水平,并探讨其异常变化的临床意义.方法 采用放射免疫法测定64例肝炎后肝硬化患者和40例对照者血清瘦素水平,同时测定肝功能、身高、体重,根据体重(kg)/身高2(m2)计算体重指数.分析肝硬化患者血清瘦索变化与肝功能、体重指数及肝性脑病的关系.结果 肝硬化患者的血清瘦素水平显著高于对照组,按Child-Pugh分级,血清瘦素水平逐渐升高.Child A级血清瘦素水平较对照组升高,但差异无统计学意义;Child B和 Child C级的血清瘦素水平均显著高于对照组.经相关分析发现瘦素水平与Child-Pugh分级有相关性,与体重指数、总蛋白、白蛋白水平无关.结论 肝炎后肝硬化患者的血清瘦素水平明显升高,与肝功能密切相关。

Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Ocular and Nonocular Behçet's Disease

Aims. To investigate serum leptin levels in Behçet's patients with or without ocular involvement compared with healthy subjects and the relationship between serum leptin and uveitis activity in patients with ocular involvement. Methods. Fifty-seven patients with Behçet's disease and 20 healthy control subjects were included in this study. While 27 patients had ocular involvement (18 had acute uveitis, 9 had inactive ocular involvement), 30 did not have ocular disease. C-reactive protein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and serum leptin levels were measured in all samples. Results. There was a significant difference between the patients with Behçet's disease and control group for both logarithm of leptin (P = .000) and logarithm of CRP (P = .031). Logarithm of leptin in non-ocular Behçet's patients was significantly higher compared to its level in ocular Behçet's disease and controls (P = .009). There was a significant difference between the patients with active ocular disease and control group (P = .03). Conclusions. Leptin might have a possible role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.

Serum Leptin Levels in Patients With Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) induces thrombocytopenia by means of an autoimmune mechanism. Recent studies suggested that T helper immune response is responsible for the pathogenesis of chronic ITP. Despite several studies that were carried out, we do not have a clue as to what triggers the autoimmunity. Leptin is a 16-kd protein secreted from the adipose tissue. Leptin is structurally similar to interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-15. The structural similarities between leptin receptor and hematopoietic cytokine receptors suggested that leptin could play a role in hematopoiesis and immune function. Recent studies suggested that leptin could play an important role in autoimmunity. We made a prospective analysis of a series of 39 newly diagnosed acute childhood ITP in a year period. Serum leptin levels were obtained after diagnosis and before treatment and all patients were followed up at least 6 months to designate acute or chronic event. We conclude that in childhood acute ITP, leptin did not play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Further investigations are needed to examine what triggers T cells and how the autoimmune disease became.

Molecular Interactions of Leptin and Prostate Cancer

Epidemiological studies have found obesity to be a risk factor for prostate cancer. Our prior independent studies in women have reported a strong relationship between variants of OB (leptin) gene, body mass index, and age at menarche and sporadic breast cancer. The current study investigates an association between genetic variants of the human obesity gene, serum leptin levels, and body mass index in subjects with prostate carcinoma and in age- and gender-matched normal subjects. Blood samples from 69 patients with prostate cancer and 137 age-matched control subjects were collected. Serum leptin level was investigated by radioimmunoassay, and body mass index was calculated. Allele sizes were determined via standard polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS10.0 computer software. There was a strong association with significantly elevated serum leptin levels, high body mass index, and higher frequency of LEPR longer alleles in patients with prostate cancer than in control subjects. By contrast, a modest but not significant increase in the frequency of LEP short alleles was found in patients with prostate cancer as compared with control subjects. Analysis within groups 1 (low leptin level and low body mass index) and 2 (other) showed a significant association only in group 2, with high frequency of OB gene variants (LEPR long alleles and LEP short alleles) in patients with prostate cancer but not in control subjects. These results represent the first report of a significant association between specific leptin gene alleles, serum leptin levels, and body mass index in subjects with prostate cancer. Consistent with prior reports, we also report a significantly elevated serum leptin level in patients with prostate cancer, suggesting a strong link with obesity as an increased risk factor.

The Metabolic Syndrome as a Predictor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Letters7 March 2006The Metabolic Syndrome as a Predictor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseYujiro Kida, MD, PhD and Tetsuji Sato, DMD, PhDYujiro Kida, MD, PhDFrom Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine and Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan.Search for more papers by this author and Tetsuji Sato, DMD, PhDFrom Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine and Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-144-5-200603070-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Hamaguchi and colleagues (1) reported that the metabolic syndrome is a strong predictor of NAFLD; however, only a small portion of patients with NAFLD have features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The authors referred to the roles of adipocytokines, such as leptin and adiponectin; however, serum leptin levels in patients with NASH were not statistically different from those in their matched controls (2). In addition, the investigators observed no correlation between serum leptin levels and hepatic histologic findings (2). In comparison, multivariate analysis revealed that patients with NASH had serum adiponectin levels that were lower than those in ...

Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

To investigate the serum leptin levels in patients with allergic rhinitis during the symptomatic period. A randomized, prospective study was performed on 26 adult patients with allergic rhinitis and 20 control subjects with similar age, sex and body mass index in a tertiary otolaryngology center. Leptin levels were 28.8 +/- 14.1 ng/mL in the patients with allergic rhinitis, and 20.8 +/- 13.5 ng/mL in the control group respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Serum leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis in symptomatic period. Apart from its primary role in the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure, leptin may have a role in the inflammatory process of the allergic rhinitis.

The role of leptin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The role of steatosis in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease (CLD) is now believed to form part of a continuum in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). One of the unconventional areas in which leptin is now receiving great attention is liver diseases. Several published studies indicate that circulating leptin is increased in patients with cirrhosis, chronic HCV, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). the present study aims to assess serum leptin levels in patients with NAFLD with and without HCV infection, and to correlate it with the biochemical markers and histopathology of liver diseases. the present study included 67 Saudi subjects divided into 3 age and sex-matched groups. Group A: 22 patients with DM (8 males and 14 females, mean age 44 +/- 12.9 years). Group B: 20 patients with chronic HCV infection (7 males and 13 females, mean age 48.9 +/- 14.1 years). Group C: 25 control healthy volunteers (15 males and 10 females, mean age 40.7 +/- 12.6 years). Serum leptin, C-peptide, and insulin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Liver biopsy was done for the HCV group only. Patients with chronic HCV infection had significantly lower mean +/- SD serum leptin levels (25.6 +/- 37.2 ng/mL) compared with the diabetic and control groups, 55.7 +/- 59.0 and 81.8 +/- 41.7 ng/mL (p = 0.002 and p = 0.046 respectively). However, in the HCV group, leptin levels did not differ significantly as regard steatosis grade, and fibrosis stage. Steatosis in the HCV group patients correlated with the body mass index and hyperglycemia, but not with leptin levels. Serum leptin correlated positively with serum insulin and C-peptide levels in both the HCV and diabetic groups, but not in the control group). Serum leptin can't be used as a non-invasive marker for the predication of steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Leptin changes in Taiwanese girls with central precocious puberty before and during the GnRH agonist treatment.

To examine the relationship between leptin serum levels and pubertal development in girls with progressive central precocious puberty. We longitudinally investigated the leptin levels of 37 girls with central precocious puberty before and during treatment with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist depot (leuprorelin acetate). Leptin and other hormone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Girls with central precocious puberty before treatment showed no significant difference in leptin levels as compared to the puberty stage at diagnosis of disease. In addition, the changes in leptin concentrations of girls with central precocious puberty during treatment were not statistically significant. In the Spearman correlation analysis of leptin levels with body mass index, bone age, chronological age, clinical pubertal signs along with luteinizing, follicle-stimulating, and estradiol hormone levels, we found that body mass index, weight, and chronological age were significantly correlated with leptin levels (p < 0.05) at both 3 and 6 months of leuprorelin treatment. Leptin levels increased with body mass index; however, this trend did not reach statistical significance at all follow-up time points. These data demonstrated that treatment with depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist does not influence leptin concentrations. Serum leptin levels in patients with central precocious puberty are associated with body weight and body mass index.

Impact of Tuberculosis on Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with HIV Infection

Aim: Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are classical wasting diseases accompanied by immunosuppression. As leptin is involved in the weight regulation and cellular immunity, we investigated the role of leptin levels in the co-infection of HIV and TB (HIV-TB). Methods: The study group consists of the patients with asymptomatic HIV infection (n = 20), patients with HIV-TB co-infection (n = 20) and healthy control subjects (n = 20). Serum leptin levels and the concentrations of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-4 cytokines were measured by ELISA before the start of the treatment. CD4+ T-cell counts were determined in patients with HIV and HIV-TB by flow cytometry. Body mass index (BMI) of the study subjects was calculated. Results: Serum leptin levels and BMI were significantly lower in the patients with HIV-TB than control and HIV subjects. Multivariate regression analysis showed that serum leptin concentration was significantly dependent on BMI and sex but not on age and the disease groups. The leptin levels did not correlate either with CD4+ T-cell counts or with any of the serum cytokines in HIV and HIV-TB patients. Conclusion: Thus our finding suggests that the leptin concentrations were strongly associated with BMI and gender but not with the disease state or with the circulating cytokine levels.

Impact of Infliximab on Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

In mice, body weight is regulated by adipocyte-derived leptin. TNFalpha is a critical mediator of inflammation-induced cachexia in Crohn's disease (CD). The regulation of leptin by TNFalpha is poorly understood in CD. Pharmacological neutralization of TNFalpha with infliximab offers a unique opportunity to study TNFalpha-mediated regulation of leptin in CD patients. We prospectively followed up CD patients treated with infliximab (n = 20). Body composition was assessed before and after treatment at 1 and 4 wk. Serum leptin, IL-6, soluble TNF receptor type II, and soluble intercellular antiadhesion molecule-1 levels were measured as well as cholesterol levels and free urinary cortisol. Because methylprednisolone (MP) increases leptin production in vivo, CD patients treated with MP (n = 9) were studied separately as a positive control group. Infliximab induced clinical remission and a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (P < 0.01) and IL-6 (P < 0.05) levels in all CD patients and increased body weight (P = 0.013) at 4 wk. Leptinemia was significantly increased after infliximab administration at 1 wk (P = 0.014) and 4 wk (P < 0.001). This increase in serum leptin occurred early at 1 wk, when no significant weight and fat mass changes could be observed and was associated with the down-regulation of TNFalpha-regulated mediators, soluble TNF receptor type II (P = 0.015), and soluble intercellular antiadhesion molecule-1 (P = 0.007). Moreover, infliximab increased cholesterol levels at 1 wk (P = 0.001). Twenty-four-hour cortisol secretion was not altered by infliximab. Leptinemia increased at 1 wk after MP administration (P = 0.028). Infliximab increases leptinemia in CD. This study suggests that TNFalpha exerts major inhibitory actions on leptin production in CD patients.

Effects of antidepressant treatment and of gender on serum leptin levels in patients with major depression

Leptin is a product of the obese gene and plays an important role in the regulation of body weight and food intake. Weight and appetite are frequently altered in depression. So far, inconsistent results have been reported in terms of leptin levels in depression. Therefore, the authors investigated serum leptin levels in patients with depression and in healthy controls, and whether there was any alteration throughout antidepressant treatment. Female patients showed significantly higher leptin levels than those of the control females both before and after the response to antidepressant treatment, whereas no difference was found between the male patients and the male controls. The improvement from depression with antidepressant treatment caused a further elevation on the leptin levels, in both female and male patients. These findings confirm an increase in leptin levels in depressive patients and presence of a sexual dimorphism. Moreover, clinical response to antidepressant treatment seems to have an additional increasing effect on leptin levels.