Plasma acyl-estrone levels are altered in obese women

A group of obese women (BMI>27 kg/m(2); N=73) was studied together with lea n controls (BMI <27 kg/m(2); N=25). Three groups were defined by the compli ance with: BMI lower than 27 kg/m(2) glycaemia lower than 5.5 mM and insuli naemia lower than 0.2 nM (controls, group 1, N=19). The subjects with BMI>2 7 kg/m(2), glucose,5.5 mM and insulin >0.2 nM constituted group 3 (N=41), a nd those with BMI>27 with glycaemia and/or insulinaemia lower than the limi ts set constituted group 2 (N=32). The women in group 3 had higher fat cont ent, BMI and fat-free mass than those in group 2 and the controls. There we re no changes in most plasma parameters, such as free estrone and beta-estr adiol. Leptin levels were higher in groups 2 and 3 than in controls. In con trols, leptin and acyl-estrone levels were well correlated with BMI and fat content; this correlation was not found in groups 2 and 3 for acyl-estrone , although it was found for leptin. Acyl-estrone levels were lower than exp ected in most obese women when compared to those of controls, suggesting an altered availability or function of this hormone. In obese women, acyl-est rone levels -and probably function- are lower than expected, contrasting wi th maintained leptin-BMI correlations. The role of insulin in the control o f body weight, perhaps through acyl estrone-mediated effects, should be re- evaluated.