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Human Nutrition and Metabolism
Research Communication

Plasma Leptin and the Cholesterol Saturation of Bile Are Correlated in Obese Women after Weight Loss¹

Departments of Biomedical Research and Gastroenterology, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico

²To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: nmendez{at}medicasur.org.mx.

Increased cholesterol secretion is a major alteration of biliary function in obese subjects Leptin is a regulator of food intake and is increased in plasma of subjects with low energy expenditure and high adiposity. We investigated the relationship between leptin and the cholesterol saturation of bile in obese women before and after weight reduction by energy restriction (5.02 MJ/d). We studied women (n = 14) with a body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m² who were 35.4 ± 2.3 y old and who did not have a history of gallstones. They were studied by ultrasound to ensure absence of stones or sludge. BMI, gallbladder bile composition, plasma leptin, serum lipids and lipoproteins cholesterol levels were recorded at baseline and after 6 wk of weight reduction. There were decreases in BMI (33.9 ± 3.1 to 31.1 ± 3.6 kg/m², P < 0.0001) and leptin levels (16.7 ± 9.7 to 10.0 ± 6.7 µmol/L, P < 0.05) during weight loss. After the experimental period, there were positive correlations between plasma leptin levels and BMI (r = 0.71, P < 0.004); leptin levels and the cholesterol saturation index (CSI) (r = 0.53, P < 0.05); the CSI and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.73, P < 0.003); and negative correlations between leptin levels and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.54, P < 0.05) and LDL cholesterol (r = -0.57, P < 0.03). We have shown relationships among HDL cholesterol, CSI and leptin. This could be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of cholesterol gallstone formation in obese people.

KEY WORDS: • obesity • cholesterol • leptin • gallstones • HDL cholesterol • women

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