Lack of association between changes in plasma leptin concentration and in food intake during the menstrual cycle

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 490 - 495
• Main Authors: Paolisso, G., Rizzo, M. R., Mazziotti, G., Rotondi, M., Tagliamonte, M. R., Varricchio, G., Carella, C., Varricchio, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford BSL Blackwell Science Ltd 01-06-1999; Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Basal metabolic rate; Basal Metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body Mass Index; Eating; Estradiol - blood; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; food intake; Genital system. Mammary gland; Humans; Insulin - blood; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leptin; Luteinizing Hormone - blood; Medical sciences; menstrual cycle; Menstrual Cycle - blood; Menstrual Cycle - physiology; Oxygen Consumption; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; progesterone; Progesterone - blood; Proteins - metabolism; Regression Analysis; Respiration; respiratory quotient; Hormone; Human; Plasma; Statistical analysis; Nutrition; Menstrual cycle; Concentration; Experimental study; Result; Association; Food intake; Energetic cost; Leptin; Female genital system; Female
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1999.00488.x

Background
Changes in plasma leptin concentration and food intake occur during the menstrual cycle; because leptin regulates food intake, one could hypothesize that changes in plasma leptin concentration and in food intake are associated throughout the menstrual cycle. However, no data have ever been provided to support such a relationship. The aim of our study was to investigate, during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, (a) the changes in plasma leptin concentration and, if such changes were demonstrated, (b) the potential relationship between the changes in plasma leptin concentration and food intake.
Design
The study was designed as an observational study. The plasma leptin concentration was determined in 16 healthy, young women during different phases of the menstrual cycle. At the same time, the basal metabolic rate (BMR), respiratory quotient (RQ) and food intake (FI) were also determined.
Results
The plasma leptin concentration increased throughout the menstrual cycle (P < 0.01 for trend) and was significantly correlated with plasma progesterone concentration (r = 0.55, P < 0.007, for follicular phase, r = 0.58, P < 0.02, for the periovulatory period and r = 0.57, P < 0.02, for the luteal phase). No significant differences in BMR and fasting RQ throughout the different phases of the menstrual cycle were found. In contrast, FI significantly declined in the periovulatory phase. No significant correlations between BMR, RQ and FI values and fasting plasma leptin concentration at all menstrual phases were found.
Conclusion
Changes in plasma leptin concentration and in food intake were found at different phases of the menstrual cycle. Nevertheless, no correlation among those parameters at any phase of the menstrual cycle was observed.