Objective: To estimate serum leptin levels in post-menopausal women, to rel
ate these to the duration of the post-menopausal period, and to body mass i
ndex (BMI), and to assess the influence of tibolone on them. Methods: Fifte
en women (age 49-64 years) were included. Three groups were studied: I, tho
se with normal BMI taking tibolone; II, those with a raised BMI taking tibo
lone. and III, a group with raised BMI not laking tibolone. Blood samples w
ere drawn before and 1, 2, 6, 9 and 12 months after the initiation of tibol
one or, in group III, after the start of the study. Results: Serum leptin c
oncentrations were high in all women with abnormal BMI, Long-term tibolone
administration did not have any significant effect on serum leptin concentr
ations. There was no correlation between serum leptin levels and the age an
d the duration of post-menopausal period. There was a high positive correla
tion between serum leptin levels and BMI values. Conclusions: BMI values af
fect serum leptin concentrations but long-term tibolone administration does
not seem to have any effect on serum leptin levels. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie
nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.