Objective: We have examined the association between generalized adiposity, abdominal adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and serum levels of leptin in a cross-sectional study of abdominally obese men.
Research methods and procedures: Thirty men, 48 to 66 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) of between 25 kg/m2 and 35 kg/m2 and a waist hip ratio of >0.95, were included in the study. Serum leptin concentration was measured using radioimmunoassay. Total body fat percentage was determined from total body potassium, abdominal adiposity was measured by computed tomography, and the glucose disposal rate (GDR) was measured during an euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp.
Results: Significant correlations were found between serum leptin concentration and BMI, percentage body fat, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, serum insulin, GDR, and 24-hour urinary-free cortisol. In a multiple regression analysis, it was shown that abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, GDR, and BMI explained 72% of the variability of serum leptin concentration. GDR demonstrated an independent inverse correlation with serum leptin concentration.
Discussion: In abdominally obese men with insulin resistance, it was demonstrated that most of the individual variability in serum leptin concentration was explained by the amount of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, insulin sensitivity, and BMI.