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Published on: July 21, 2018
[Leptin serum levels in cachectic and non-cachectic lung cancer patients]
Introduction:
Leptin, protein taking part in body mass regulation, might play a role in cancer cachexia development. The aim of the study was to measure leptin serum levels in cachectic, non-cachectic lung cancer patients, healthy controls and to correlate leptin concentration with nutritional status markers.
Material And Methods:
40 lung cancer patients were enrolled into the study: 20 with cachexia, 20 without cachexia, and 10 healthy controls. Leptin serum concentration, body mass, BMI, arm circumference and skin triceps fold thickness were measured in each subject.
Results:
Serum leptin level in cachectic cancer patients was significantly lower than in non-cachectic and healthy controls. Leptin concentration correlated with body mass, arm circumference and skin triceps fold thickness.
Conclusions:
Cachectic lung cancer patients have significantly lower serum leptin concentrations than non-cachectic patients and healthy controls which may suggest, that leptin does not play an important role in cancer cachexia development. Leptin levels positively correlate with good nutritional status markers. Non-cachectic lung cancer patients have similar leptin serum levels as healthy controls.
