[Leptin and glucose metabolism in eating disorders]

Leptin, which was discovered only a decade ago, is a peptide that informs hypothalamic areas about the energy balance of the body. New research findings, has suggested a possible role of leptin in eating disorders as well. Few data are available about the relationship between leptin, insulin and glucose metabolism in the pathomechanism of eating disorders. The authors were searching for answers to these relationships in their investigations.

The study groups included 56 patients with eating disorders and 22 healthy subjects served as controls. The diagnosis was based on DSM-IV criteria. For measuring leptin, insulin and C-peptide serum concentrations a radioimmunoassay method was applied, and serum glucose concentrations were detected by spectrofluorimetry. Detailed statistical analysis of the results was carried out.

A correlation between BMI and serum leptin concentration could be proved only in anorectic patients. In contrast to former findings, there was no correlation between BMI and leptin concentration in the bulimia group, and the leptin concentrations were significantly higher in bulimic patients than in the control group. During the glucose tolerance test, leptin levels showed a significant decrease in the anorexia group.

The results raise the possibility of a direct effect of central regulatory mechanisms of food intake in the pathomechanism of anorexia nervosa.