Serum Leptin Levels in Children with Type I Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Leptin is a highly hydrophobic 16-kDa protein encoded by the ob gene which is expre- ssed in adipocytes and participates in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. The aims of the present study were to examine the comparison of leptin levels between type I diabetes mellitus (DM) patients who received exogenous insulin therapy and healthy children, and to find out correlating factors with leptin level in type I DM. METHODS: The study was conducted on 34 patients with type I DM and 29 healthy children. Body weight, height, leptin level and body fat percent were measured in both groups. The glycosylated hemoglobin value, C-peptide, insulin level and serum cholesterol were also measured in type I DM. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in mean age, sex distribution and body mass index between the experimental groups, but body fat percent in type I DM was significantly lower than that of healthy children. The mean leptin levels in male (9.4+/-6.3ng/mL) and female (17.8+/-10.2ng/mL) type I DM were significantly higher than in male(6.3+/-5.7ng/mL) and female (10.2+/-0.9ng/mL) healthy children (male P=0.045, female P=0.005). Serum leptin levels were strongly correlated with the body fat percent (Pearson coefficient) (r=0.712). CONCLUSION: Serum leptin level in type I DM strongly correlated with the body fat percent. Despite lowered body fat percent in type I DM, the leptin level was significantly higher than values in healthy children. The mean leptin level in type I DM were significantly higher than value in healthy children, but body fat percent of type I DM was lower than value in healthy children who were adjusted for sex, age and body mass index.