Increased levels of serum leptin in the early stages of psychosis

Abstract

Background: Studies evaluating leptin levels in patients with first-episode psychoses (FEP) have been inconclusive, and apparently, the high levels of leptin reported in patients with schizophrenia may be associated with weight gain. The aim of this study was to evaluate leptin levels at the early stages of the disease and the relationship between leptin and lifestyle habits, stress-related variables and metabolic parameters.

Methods: In total, 14 at-risk mental state (ARMS) patients, 39 FEP patients, 32 psychotic patients in the critical period (CP) and 21 healthy controls (HCs) were assessed. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as dietary intake, physical activity, stress-related variables and symptomatology, were collected.

Results: Leptin levels were higher in the ARMS, FEP and CP patients than in the HCs. After controlling for age, sex, BMI, physical exercise, tobacco use and dietary intake, the highest differences in leptin levels were observed between the ARMS patients and HCs (p = 0.025). In the whole sample, leptin levels were positively correlated with BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), insulin levels (p = 0.020), levels of the inflammatory marker IL-6 (p = 0.007) and energy intake (p = 0.043) and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (p = 0.018). Interestingly, energy intake and food craving scores were positively correlated with levels of leptin only in females (p = 0.022 and p = 0.036, respectively).

Discussion: The present study detected increased leptin levels in the early stages of psychosis and significant correlations between leptin levels and anthropometric, lipid, hormone, and cytokine parameters. We found higher leptin levels in women, and we identified dietary intake habits associated with leptin exclusively in females that advocate considering sex in future studies.

Keywords: At-risk mental state; First-episode psychosis; Food intake; Leptin; Sex; Stress.