DECREASED CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID SERUM LEPTIN RATIO IN OBESITY - A POSSIBLE MECHANISM FOR LEPTIN RESISTANCE/

Background A receptor for leptin has been cloned from the choroid plex us, the site of cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) production and the location of the blood/cerebrospinal-fluid barrier. Thus, this receptor might se rve as a transporter for leptin. We have studied leptin concentrations in serum and (CSF). Methods and findings We demonstrated by radioimmu noassay and western blot the presence of leptin in human CSF. We then measured leptin in CSF and serum in 31 individuals with a wide range o f bodyweight. Mean serum leptin was 318% higher in 8 obese (40.2 [SE 8 .6] ng/mL) than in 23 lean individuals (9.6 [1.5] ng/mL, p<0 0005). Ho wever, the CSF leptin concentration in obese individuals (0.337 [0.04] ng/mL) was only 30% higher than in lean people (0.259 [0.26] ng/mL, p <0.1). Consequently, the leptin CSF/serum ratio in lean individuals (0 .047 [0.010] was 4.3-fold higher than that in obese individuals (0.011 [0.002], p<0.05). The relation between CSF leptin and serum leptin wa s best described by a logarithmic function (r=0.52, p<0.01). Interpret ation Our data suggest that leptin enters the brain by a saturable tra nsport system. The capacity of leptin transport is lower in obese indi viduals, and may provide a mechanism for leptin resistance.