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Horm Metab Res 1996; 28(12): 751-752
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-979893
Short Communications

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Plasma Leptin Levels and Body Fat Distribution

M. Takahashi, T. Funahashi, I. Shimomura, K. Miyuoka, Y. Matsuzawa
  • Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka University, Medical School, Osaka, Japan
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Publication Date:
23 April 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The relation between body fat distribution and plasma leptin levels in the human was investigated in 51 obese and 41 non-obese subjects. Plasma levels of leptin showed a positive correlation with body mass index and subcutaneous fat area at the umbilicus level. However, a significant correlation between its plasma levels and visceral fat area was found in neither non-obese nor obese subjects. These results suggest that plasma leptin levels might be attributed mainly to the extent of subcutaneous adiposity in human obesity.

Key words

Leptin - fat distribution - visceral fat