Introduction: Leptin and soluble form of leptin receptor play a great role in both carbohydrate and fat metabolism which is very important in diabetes mellitus type (DMT1) patients.
Aim of the study: To asses leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels in children with DMT1 and to analyze correlation with anthropometric parameters, metabolic control and the influence of various kinds of insulin therapy.
Material and methods: 67 patients, aged from 3.71 to 14.81 years, mean ± SD: 10.33 ± 2.21) and 15 age-matched healthy children were included into the study. All children were prepubertal (T <2), suffering for DMT1 for more than two years, without any coexisting diseases. All patients were divided into subgroups according to the kind of therapy. There were no statistically significant differentials between groups as to the metabolic control, age, weight, height and BMI.
Results: Leptin levels in the study group range from 1.27 to 59.90 ng/ml (mean ± SD: 11.34 ± 9.42 ng/ml) and were higher than in control group: from 1.46 to 26, ng/ml (mean ± SD: 8.23 ± 7.62 ng/ml) (p >0.05). The highest leptin levels were observed in multiple insulin injection group, lower in pump group and the lowest conventional insulin therapy group. Soluble leptin receptor levels in study group range from 30.50 to 101.00 ng/ml (mean ± SD: 48.65 ± 13.26 ng/ ml) and were significantly higher than in control group: 27.50 to 61.00 ng/ml (mean ± SD: 39.37 ± 9.23 ng/ml) (p <0.01). The highest soluble leptin receptor levels were observed in the multiple insulin injection group, lower in pump group and the lowest conventional insulin therapy group.
Conclusions: leptin levels are higher in DMT1 children, correlate with anthropometrics parameters, age, age at the beginning of diabetes and depend on the kind of insulin therapy. Soluble leptin receptor levels are significantly higher in children with DMT1, correlate with anthropometrics parameters, metabolic control, age, age at the beginning of diabetes, duration of diabetes and depend on the kind of insulin therapy.