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[Changes of leptin levels in menopause]
G A Tommaselli1, C Di Carlo, M Pellicano
1Dipartimento di Scienze Ostetrico Ginecologiche, Urologiche e Medicina della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Minerva Ginecologica
|June 8, 2001
Summary
Leptin, a key obesity treatment protein, correlates with body fat. This review examines conflicting data on leptin levels during menopause and their link to body composition changes.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic control
- Obesity treatment
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Leptin (OB protein) is crucial for regulating body weight by signaling fat mass to the CNS.
- Leptin levels correlate positively with body fat indices like BMI.
- Sexual dimorphism exists in leptin levels, with females exhibiting higher levels, suggesting a role for estrogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women.
- To correlate these levels with body composition changes during menopause.
- To evaluate the hypothesis that estrogens stimulate leptin secretion.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women.
- Analysis of data correlating leptin levels with body composition.
- Comparison of findings with existing knowledge on leptin and estrogen interactions.
Main Results:
- Contradictory results exist in the literature regarding serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women.
- Leptin levels are linked to body fat mass and body composition changes.
- The precise role of estrogens in leptin secretion requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Menopause is associated with changes in body composition and potentially altered leptin signaling.
- Further research is needed to clarify the complex interplay between leptin, estrogen, and body weight regulation in menopausal women.