Changes in Satiety Hormones in Response to Leptin Treatment in a Patient with Leptin Deficiency

Abstract

Background: We tested whether leptin treatment affects secretion of satiety-related gut peptides and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a regulator of energy homeostasis downstream of hypothalamic leptin signaling. Methods: We report the case of a morbidly obese 14.7-year-old girl with a novel previously reported homozygous leptin gene mutation, in whom hormone secretion was evaluated in 30-min intervals for 10 h (07.30–17.30) to assess BDNF, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), ghrelin, and peptide YY (PYY) secretion before as well as 11 and 46 weeks after start of metreleptin treatment. Results: Leptin substitution resulted in strong reductions of body fat and calorie intake. Insulin secretion increased by 58.9% after 11 weeks, but was reduced by –44.8% after 46 weeks compared to baseline. Similarly, GLP-1 increased after 11 weeks (+15.2%) and decreased after 46 weeks. PYY increased consistently (+5%/ +13.2%, after 11/46 weeks). Ghrelin decreased after 46 weeks (–11%). BDNF secretion was not affected by leptin treatment. Conclusion: The strong increase in insulin and GLP-1 secretion after 11 weeks of metreleptin treatment cannot be explained by reduced adiposity and might contribute to improved central satiety. Observed changes of PYY can lead to increased satiety as well. However, leptin replacement does not seem to affect circulating BDNF levels.