Plasma Leptin Concentrations in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Unexplained weight loss is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increased circulating of tumor necrosis factor-oc (TNF-oc) and leptin concentrations we­re reported in weight-losing COPD patients. Leptin is known to play important roles in the control of body-weight and energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to investigate circulating serum leptin and TNF-oc levels in patients with COPD, and to determine whether serum leptin levels are related to body mass index (BMI) or to TNF-oc levels. Serum concentrations of lep­tin, TNF-oc, albumin and creatinine clearance (CKr) were measu­red in 32 male patients with COPD and 18 healthy control sub­jects. Patients with COPD had significantly lower BMI, leptin, albumin and CKr levels than did the control subjects. Serum TNF-oc levels in COPD patients were significantly high compa­red to the healthy controls. Circulating leptin levels did not cor­relate with BMI and TNF-oc neither in COPD patients or in he­althy controls. These data suggest that circulating leptin is decreased and TNF-oc levels increased in patients with stable COPD. In addition, circula­ting leptin works independently of the TNF-oc system and does not primarily affect BMI in COPD patients.