Leptin and Soluble Leptin Receptor Among Obese Adults in the Gaza Strip

Abstract

This study aims to ascertain whether protohormone leptin and soluble leptin receptor (OB-Re) are correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI), gender, serum lipid profiles among adult individuals in the Gaza Strip. Study sample was convenient and obtained from two largest obesity clinics in the Gaza strip. Case group consisted of 83 adult individuals (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) without history of other diseases. Control group consisted of 83 eligible normal weight adult individuals (BMI 18.5-24.9 Kg/m2) that was selectively chosen from the same clinics. Self reported structured interviews and serum blood samples were obtained from both groups. Human leptin and soluble leptin receptor were determined by competitive ELISA kits. Logistic data were analyzed by SPSS WIN. The results showed a significant positive correlation between BMI and leptin hormone among the case individuals (r =0.64, P <0.01). In contrast, the results showed that OB-Re has inverse statistical relationship with BMI for the same individuals (r =-0.26, p =0.02). The results, surprisingly, showed no significant correlation between OB-Re and leptin among the case individuals (r =-0.16, p =0.14). For the case individuals, the leptin was also significantly higher (p =0.00) for the females (mean= 72.40 ng/ml) than for the males (mean= 44.05 ng/ml). On the other hand, for the same individuals, OB-Re was slightly higher for the females (mean=9.75 ng/ml) than for the males (mean= 8.91 ng/ml) which was not statistically significant. Serum leptin, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-c levels were increased with increasing BMI. Conversely OB-Re and HDL-c were decreased with increasing BMI.