ABSTRACT
This study was designed to determine the relation between leptin and sex hormones in 80 persons, 40 of them were cirrhotic and the other 40 were healthy control group [each group included 20 males and 20 females]. Serum leptin and estradiol showed higher levels in cirrhotic patients in comparison with control ones. Free testosterone levels were lower in cirrhotic patients and showed an inverse relation with leptin and estradiol. Leptin showed a positive correlation with estradiol and creatinine. These results are concomitant with the expected relation between leptin and sex hormones. The positive correlation between leptin and creatinine indicates the important role of the kidney in leptin disposal. This relation may point to leptin as a possible marker for early detection of renal impairment and follow up of nephropathic changes. The anorexia and malnutrition affecting cirrhotic patients may be explained by the associated hyperleptinemia, leptin is called the anorectic hormone