Leptin Levels in Various Manifestations of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background . Proinflammatory cytokines are prime candidates as causative agents of the metabolic changes that eventually result in tuberculosis-associated weight loss. Microbial products and cytokines such as TNF and IL-1 increase leptin expression dose dependently in adipose tissue. Leptin plays an important role in cellular immunity. Objectives . In this study, we investigated serum leptin and TNF- α levels before and after antituberculosis therapy in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods . Twenty five in patients with active pulmonary TB and 18 healthy controls participated in the study. Leptin and TNF- α levels were measured before treatment and six months after the treatment and they were compared with the control group. Body mass index (BMI) and chest X-rays before and after the treatment were also evaluated. Results . The leptin levels before and after the treatment were 1.66±1.68 ng/mL and 3.26±3.81 ng/mL, respectively. The leptin levels of tuberculous patients were significant than in healthy patients ( P < .05). The BMI was 19.36 ± 2.55 kg/m 2 before the treatment and 22.87 ± 3.13 kg/m 2 after the treatment. The TNF- α level was 23.19±12.78 pg/mL before the treatment and 15.95±6.58 pg/mL after the treatment. There was no correlation between leptin and TNF- α levels. Leptin levels were low in patients who had sequela lesion on chest radiographs. Conclusion . Leptin levels are suppressed in tuberculous patients and low leptin levels may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection and recovery with sequela lesions.