OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and glutamine (Gln) on anti-oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2MD) rats. METHODS: Diabetic rat model was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Fifty 6-week old male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10), including quiet control group (N), diabetes control group (D), diabetic aerobic exercise group (DE), diabetic glutamine group (DG) and diabetic aerobic exercise glutamine group (DEG). After 6 weeks, the related indicators of glucose and lipid metabolism, anti-oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in diabetic rats were detected, and the possible mechanism affecting inflammatory response were explored. RESULTS: Compared with group N, the levels of serum malondialdehyde(MDA), blood glucose, total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), insulin, leptin and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in group D were increased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with group D, serum levels of MDA, blood glucose, TC, TG, insulin, leptin and TNF-α in three intervention groups were decreased significantly, while the levels of SOD, GSH-Px and adiponectin were increased, and the combined effect was more obvious (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION Both aerobic exercise and Gln can relieve the glucose and lipid metabolism and disturbance, oxidative stress injury and inflammation in diabetic rats.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; therapy ; Glutamine ; pharmacology ; Leptin ; blood ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of lead exposure in rats during the developmental stage on the expression of leptin in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and hippocampus, as well as investigating whether leptin is associated with the mechanism of cognitive impairment induced by lead exposure.

METHODSThe rat model of cognitive impairment after chronic lead exposure was established by adding lead acetate into drinking water. According to the concentration of lead acetate in drinking water, the rats were divided into control (0 ppm), low-lead (50 ppm), medium-lead (200 ppm), and high-lead groups (1 000 ppm), with 16 rats in each group. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the content of lead in the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and hippocampus. ELISA was used to measure the level of leptin in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the distribution of leptin protein in the hippocampus. Western blot was used for relative quantification of leptin proteins in the hippocampus.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the lead exposure groups showed significant increases in the content of lead in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and hippocampus (P<0.01), as well as significant reductions in the levels of leptin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that leptin was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA region. The results of Western blot showed that compared with the control group, the three lead exposure groups showed a slight increase in the protein expression of leptin in the hippocampus (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLead exposure can reduce the levels of leptin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in rats, which may be associated with the mechanism of cognitive impairment induced by lead exposure.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Female ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lead ; blood ; toxicity ; Leptin ; analysis ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of obesity on the peak level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist test and obesity-related hormones in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP).

METHODSThree hundred and thirty-three girls with CPP who underwent the GnRH agonist test between 2012 and 2014 were classified into three groups: normal weight (n=123), overweight (n=108), and obesity (n=102), according to body mass index (BMI). The sexual development indices were compared between the three groups. Twenty girls were randomly selected from each group for evaluation of the serum levels of leptin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), neurokinin B, and kisspeptin. The correlation of BMI with the levels of various hormones was assessed using Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in mean age at diagnosis between the three groups; however, the bone age was significantly higher in the overweight and obesity groups than in the normal weight group (P<0.05). The peak level of LH in the GnRH agonist test and SHBG level in the normal weight group were significantly higher than those in the overweight and the obesity groups, while the serum levels of leptin and neurokinin B were significantly lower in the normal weight group than in the overweight and the obesity groups (P<0.05). BMI was negatively correlated with the peak level of LH in the GnRH agonist test and SHBG level (P<0.05), and positively correlated with the levels of leptin and neurokinin B (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe effects of BMI on the result of the GnRH agonist test and levels of obesity-related hormones should be taken into account in girls with precocious puberty.

Body Mass Index ; Child ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; agonists ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Neurokinin B ; blood ; Obesity ; blood ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe the difference in fatty degree, glucose-lipid disorder and adipose-hormones between diet induced obesity (DIO) rats and diet induced obesity resistance (DIO-R) rats, and to explore the effect and acting mechanism of Chinese drugs for strengthening Pi (CD-SP) and those for both strengthening Pi and dissolving phlegm (CD-SPDP) in inhibiting obesity.

METHODSExcepting eight rats allocated in the blank control group, the other 54 rats were fed with high-lipid forage for 12 weeks to establish models of obesity. Finally, 30 DIO rats and 8 DIO-R rats (shown by their body weight) were obtained. The DIO rats were divided into three groups, which were given gastric perfusion, respectively, with normal saline (Group A), CD-SP (Group B), and CD-SPDP (Group C). Fourteen weeks later, the animals' body weight (BW), length (BL), blood levels of fasting insulin (FIn), fasting glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), leptin (LP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), adiponectin (AN), and resistin (RS) were measured; insulin resistance index (IRI) was calculated, and the degree of obesity and lipid content in abdominal cavity of rats were estimated. Moreover, the levels of LP, CRP, TNF-alpha, AN and RS in homogenate of rats' adipose tissues (ATH) were determined.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks of high-lipid diet, the BW of DIO rats was higher than that of normal or DIO-R rats. After a 14-week continuous high-lipid diet feeding, in DIO rats, BW, lipid coefficient (LC), and IRI were significantly increased (P<0.01); serum levels of TNF-alpha, LP and AN were lower, NPY was higher, while the ATH levels of LP and AN were lower and TNF-alpha was higher in DIO rats than in DIO-R rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01); blood levels of FBG and lipids in DIO rats showed an increasing trend but was statistically insignificant (P>0.05); no significant difference was found in serum levels of CRP and RS due to the overly high data dispersion. Comparisons of the 3 DIO groups showed that BW, body weight index (BWI), LC and IRI were significantly lowered after treatment (P<0.01) in Group C, while these indexes were not significantly different between Group A and B; the serum levels of TNF-alpha, LP, and AN increased, NPY decreased in Group B and C, ATH levels of LP and AN increased, and TNF-alpha decreased in the two groups; but NPY, LP, and AN in blood and ATH were higher in Group C than those in Group B (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCD-SPDP could inhibit DIO and IR, showing that the effect is better than that of CD-SP, and its mechanism is related to promotion of LP and AN secretion and elevation of serum NPY.

Adipokines ; blood ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Dietary Fats ; adverse effects ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Neuropeptide Y ; blood ; Obesity ; blood ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Syndrome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Leptin is a hormone which controls appetite and energy homeostasis. Alterations of its level in humans have been linked with obesity and related carcinogenesis. We postulated that the leptin level in plasma or tissues might be different according to the phenotype of GERD. We evaluated this hormone in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and reflux esophagitis (RE) with demographic characteristics to confirm the postulation. METHODS: The patients with typical GERD symptoms such as acid regurgitation and heartburn were prospectively enrolled and evaluated. The demographic data included body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and the consumption of coffee. Rapid urease test was done to evaluate the status of Helicobacter pylori infection. We measured plasma leptin level along with the tissue level, which was obtained from the fundus of stomach. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were evaluated (RE 20 cases, NERD 24 cases). No demographic data was different between the two groups, except waist circumference (mean 88.6 cm in RE, 80.9 cm in NERD, p=0.006), smoking (45% in RE, 12.5% in NERD, p=0.021) and coffee consumption (85% in RE, 50% in NERD, p=0.025). The level of plasma leptin was not different between the two groups. The level of tissue leptin was also not different between the two groups with an increasing tendency in RE (mean 32.5 ng/mL vs. 28.0 ng/mL in NERD). CONCLUSIONS: We could not find any association between plasma and tissue leptin levels and the phenotype of GERD. However, increasing tendency in RE could afford to further studies in near future.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Coffee ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/*complications ; Helicobacter Infections/complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Leptin/analysis/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/complications ; Phenotype ; Smoking ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVESome research has shown that C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sLR) and blood lipids are involved in the development of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the changes of leptin resistance, blood lipids and inflammatory response before and after the exercise therapy in children with obesity.

METHODSFifty-one obese children at ages of 12 years received an exercise therapy for 2 months. The levels of serum leptin, sLR, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured before and after the exercise therapy. Forty normal children served as the control group.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, serum levels of leptin, TG, TC, LDL-C and hs-CRP and the body mass index (BMI) in the obese group increased (p<0.01), while the serum level of sLR decreased significantly (p<0.05). The levels of hs-CRP, leptin, TC, TG, LDL-C and BMI in the obese group were significantly reduced after the exercise therapy (p<0.05). In the obese group, the serum leptin level was positively correlated with the levels of blood lipids and hs-CRP (p<0.05); serum levels of leptin and hs-CRP were negatively correlated with the sLR level (p<0.05); the hs-CRP level was positively correlated with the levels of blood lipids (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSLeptin resistance and the changes of blood lipids and inflammatory response are found in children with obesity. Exercise therapy can partially improve these changes.

Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Child ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; therapy ; Receptors, Leptin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate serum leptin level and its relationship with bone mineral density in obese children from Changsha City.

METHODSOne hundred and nineteen obese children and 103 normal children aged 7 to 12 years from five primary schools of Changsha City were enrolled. Obesity was assessed based on the body mass index (BMI). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition. Serum leptin level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe obesity group had higher height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio (WHR) compared with the normal group (p<0.01). BMD, bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), percentage of body fat (%BF) and leptin concentration in the obesity group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (p<0.01). Serum leptin level was positively correlated with BMD, BMC, LM and FM (r=0.528-0.903, p<0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that BMI and %BF were independent influencing factors for serum leptin level.

CONCLUSIONSObese children have higher serum leptin level. Serum leptin concentration is significantly correlated with BMD and body composition. BMI and %BF are independent influencing factors for serum leptin level in children.

Body Composition ; Bone Density ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; Regression Analysis ; Sex Characteristics

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of serum leptin (LEP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in children with congenital heart disease(CHD) and their roles in CHD.

METHODSForty-eight children with acyanotic CHD (ACHD group), 20 age-matched children with cyanotic CHD (CCHD group) and 20 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The ACHD group was subdivided into two groups with (n=20) or without concurrent heart failure (n=28). Serum LEP, VEGF, total protein and albumin levels and body mass index (BMI) were measured.

RESULTSSerum total protein and albumin levels were not apparently different in all CHD children from healthy controls, but there was a significant difference in the BMI between them (p<0.01). Serum LEP and VEGF levels and the ratio of LEP/BMI in all CHD children were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p<0.01). Compared with the ACHD group without heart failure, the serum LEP and VEGF levels and the ratio of LEP/BMI in the CCHD and the ACHD with heart failure groups increased significantly (p<0.01). In the ACHD group, serum LEP level was positively correlated with BMI (p<0.01). In the CCHD group, there were positive correlations between serum LEP level and serum VEGF level (p<0.01) and between hemoglobin concentration and serum VEGF level (p<0.01). Arterial oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with serum VEGF (p<0.01) and LEP levels (p<0.01) in the CCHD group.

CONCLUSIONSBoth VEGF and LEP play roles in the pathophisiological process of CHD. VEGF and LEP are associated with the development of heart failure in children with ACHD.

Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Oxygen ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether adiponectin and leptin levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in 232 men (20~80 years old). METHODS: Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA). BMD at various sites was determined using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: Adiponectin was negatively correlated with body fat, while leptin had a positively correlation. Significant negative correlations between adiponectin and BMD were found, which remained significant after adjustment of age and body fat. In the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, adiponectin but not leptin, was independent predictor of BMD. CONCLUSION Adiponectin was an independent predictor of BMD in Chinese men. Adiponectin may exert a negative effect on bone mass.
Adiponectin ; blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Density ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regression Analysis

In order to explore the effect and underlying mechanism of hypoxia on body weight, the effect of intermittent moderate hypoxia on high-fat diet-induced obesity was observed in mice, and the role of leptin in hypoxic effect was identified. Healthy Kunming mice were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=20 in each group). The control group: the mice were fed normally under the normal oxygen pressure. Hypoxia group: the mice were fed normally, and given intermittent moderate hypoxia training. Obesity group: the mice were fed diet rich in fat and sugar under the normal oxygen pressure. Hypoxia + obesity group: the mice were fed diet rich in fat and sugar, and given intermittent moderate hypoxia training. After 40 d of feeding and training, the body weight of mice was determined, and the average increasing rate of body weight in each group was calculated and normalized with food intake. Meanwhile, plasma leptin level was measured with ELISA method, and fatty degeneration and leptin receptor expression in liver were observed by Sudan III staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The obesity mouse model was successfully established with increases in body weight, plasma leptin level and distribution of adipocytes in the liver. The average body weight and density of adipocytes in the liver in hypoxia and hypoxia + obesity groups decreased obviously, while plasma leptin level and leptin receptor expression in the liver were increased. It is suggested that intermittent moderate hypoxia reduces body weight through elevating plasma leptin level and/or enhancing leptin receptor expression in the liver.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leptin ; blood ; Liver ; chemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Obese ; Obesity ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Leptin ; analysis