Effects of leptin replacement on macro- and micronutrient preferences

The mechanisms underlying food choices are complex and involve neuroendocrine and biochemical signaling. Among neuroendocrine signals, leptin may play a prominent role in food preference.

This study was designed to obtain an understanding of the effects of leptin replacement on macro- and micronutrient preferences in leptin-deficient adults.

We studied the effects of leptin replacement on three adults with genetic leptin deficiency during the initial 12 months of treatment. Dietary intake was measured in our study by weighed food consumption records. Nutrient intake was calculated using a nutrition analysis software.

After leptin replacement was started, all patients had initially a marked reduction in food intake. The reduction in caloric intake differentially affected intake of macro- and micronutrients. There was an initial shift toward a higher percentage consumption of fats and a decrease in the intake of carbohydrates. Significant differences also occurred in 7 distinct types of macronutrients, 12 vitamins, 11 minerals and 1 amino acid.

We documented several specific leptin-induced changes in macro- and micronutrients intake during the course of leptin-replacement treatment, the majority of which were not related to the decrease in total caloric consumption.