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Changes in fat mass, leptin, and neuropeptide Y in subjects with excess weight treated with a hypo‐caloric diet
Author(s) -
Silva Bella Yalila Lopez,
Andrade Miguel Angel Pasquel,
Baldeon Manuel Eduardo
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1054-b
Subject(s) - leptin , medicine , endocrinology , neuropeptide y receptor , overweight , obesity , appetite , chemistry , neuropeptide , receptor
Overweight and obesity are alterations in the control of energy balance, which is primarily regulated by leptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Leptin decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure while NPY stimulates food intake. Due to the important role of leptin and NPY, serum concentrations of leptin and NPY in 11 volunteer women with excess weight subjected to a hypo‐caloric diet were studied for 6 months. Results: during the first 3 months of treatment, there was a decrease in the mean of body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and leptin while there was an increase in NPY. However, during the second 3 months of the study, BMI and FM continued decreasing, while leptin and LM increased. Leptin increase in the second half of the study was accompanied with a decrease in the serum levels of NPY. The ratio of leptin/FM also increased indicating a higher leptin production per unit of FM. Conclusions: there were variations in leptin and NPY concentrations during the treatment period. Initially, decreases in FM were accompanied with decreased leptin and increased NPY. However, further decreases in FM did not result in lower leptin levels on the contrary an increment was observed. Increased leptin has been associated with leptin resistance, and this could be associated with the “plateau effect” observed during weight loss. Lack of response to leptin can save energy expenditure limiting further decreases in weight.