Subcutaneous adipose tissue layers as a stable correlate of leptin in response to short term energy restriction in obese girls

AIMS: We studied the relationship of subcutaneous adipose tissue layers (SA T-layers) measured at 15 specified body sites with leptin before and after a weight loss program for three weeks. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 70 obese girls, SAT-layers were measured by means of the optical device, lipometer. Fat mass (FM) was estimated by means of b ioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, all estimates of adiposity, insulin , and SAT-layers from the upper body (from 1-neck to 6-lateral chest) were correlated to leptin at a P-value of < 0.0001. Percentage FM together with SAT-layer 4-upper back and insulin explained 75% of the variation in leptin (P < 0.0001). After three weeks, estimates of adiposity and leptin were re duced tall P < 0.0001). Most SAT-layers were reduced, but SAT-layers 8-lowe r abdomen and 9-lower back were significantly increased. Changes in leptin were best explained by initial leptin, but percentage change (Delta) in ins ulin, Delta SAT-layer 1-neck, and Delta SAT-layer 3-biceps contributed to t he Delta leptin (adj. r(2) = 0.47, P < 0.0001). In the weight-reduced state , circulating leptin was best explained by three SAT-layers and insulin (ad j. r(2) = 0.67, P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: The results suggest that Delta changes in leptin are attributab le to changes in the endocrine state and subcutaneous fat, and SAT-layers m ay serve as a stable correlate of leptin in the weight-reduced state.