Leptin

[Miracoli]

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What is the level of leptin in obese pts compared to individuals with normal BMI? High, low, normal or variable?

 

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

High, because they're fat. Leptin levels in obese people are like insulin levels in a type 2 diabetic... there's intolerance/resistance at play.

 

[Transposony]

Leptin is made by adipose cells. So it makes sense that it's levels will be increased in obese.

 

[seminoma]

Variable if you consider the strictly BMI definition of obese (i.e. some bodybuilders are "obese").

 

[Miracoli]

Yeah high. @seminoma, i think Q writers will find a way to show that the pt has increased body fat.

 

[Slade009]

Answer is Variable, as Seminoma stated, unless the question is strictly going by the definition of Obesity and not via BMI. Since they are comparing obese to a "normal BMI" I would say they are most likely talking in terms of BMI. A great way they could test you on this is using WTH ratio. WHO states that it is a measurement of obesity which is an efficient predictor of mortality. They can say something along the lines of "a patient has a high Waist-to-Hip Ratio" and then throw a Leptin question in the middle after which the answer would be: high leptin levels with a decreased appetite.

Leptin and BMI are directly proportional on a graph (unless they mention the patient is an avid bodybuilder).

Leptin acts on the Arcuate Nucleus of the Hypothalamus to decrease the production of Neuropeptide Y (a potent stimulator of appetite). It also stimulates the production of POMC. Alpha-MSH(increases satiety) is produced by cleavage of POMC, inhibiting food intake.

Thus a mutation in the Leptin gene or receptor will lead to Hyperphagia and profound Obestiy.