SERUM LEPTIN LEVELS IN GIRLS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA

K.Ziora, G.Geisler, Z.Ostrowska*, L.Sieminska*, I.Olejnik**, A.Dyduch

Department of Endocrinology,** Department of Haemathology, Silesian Paediatric Centre and *Department of Experimental Endocrinology of Silesian Uni versity of Medicine - Zabrze- Poland

AIM OF THE STUDY: Serum leptin levels are usually low in untreated adult patients with anorexia nervosa but studies of the relationship between leptin levels and body weight and levels of gonadotropins or thyroid hormones in young girls with anorexia nervosa are limited. The goal of our study was: 1) to estimate the serum leptin levels before and during treatment 2) to examine the relationships between leptin and gonadotropins, prolactin, thyroid hormones, cortisol and serum lipids.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 27 girls (aged 12-17 yrs, mean 13.7 yrs) with anorexia nervosa (AN) the BMI and the serum levels of leptin, gonadotropins (LH, FSH), prolactin, estradiol, cortisol, fT4, TSH, triglycerides were measured at admission and during therapy (mean 3-4 months). Control group (C) consisted of 26 healthy girls matched for age and puberty.

RESULTS: The mean serum leptin level in AN (3,01±2,47 ng/ml) did not correlate with BMI and was significantly (p<0,001) lower than in controls (13,54±7,36 ng/ml) in whom the significant correlation between leptin level and BMI (r=0,75 p<0,01) was stated. In AN no relationships were found between serum leptin and LH, FSH, PRL, fT4, TSH, cortisol and triglycerides. After 3 to 4 months of therapy (diet, psychotherapy) the mean serum leptin level had in creased significantly (p<0,05) to 6,02 ng/ml. Also the significant rise (p<0,05) of BMI from 15,8 kg/m² to 18,08 kg/m² and the increase of mean FSH (from 3,06 mIU/ml to 8,51 mIU/ml) were observed. Despite the normalisation of BMI during therapy period (3-4 months) the amenorrhea secondary in anorectic girls were still observed. The appetite and the mean serum leptin and gonado tropins levels in AN had remained significantly diminished in comparision with control group.

CONCLUSIONS: In girls with anorexia nervosa longer period of observation is needed to explain the relationship between leptin and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity.