Circulating concentrations of soluble leptin receptor: influence of menstrual cycle and diet therapy

Concentrations of the soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) may be related to leptin resistance in obesity. We measured sOB-R concentrations in serum in 103 non-diabetic Japanese men and women. All subjects were grouped according to body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2). Serum sOB-R concentrations did not differ significantly between normal-weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25.0) men and women, but were significantly higher in underweight subjects (BMI < 18.5) than in normal-weight subjects. In contrast, overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30) and obese (30 ≤ BMI < 35.0, 35.0 ≤ BMI < 40, and BMI ≥ 40) subjects had significantly lower sOB-R concentrations than did normal-weight subjects. Serum sOB-R concentrations were inversely correlated with BMI and serum immunoreactive leptin concentrations. Very low-energy diet therapy for 4 wk significantly lowered serum immunoreactive leptin concentrations but did not significantly affect serum sOB-R concentrations. Serum sOB-R concentrations did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle. Our results showed that serum sOB-R concentrations decrease with increasing BMI and that sex hormones likely do not affect serum sOB-R concentrations in non-pregnant women. The reduction in serum sOB-R concentrations in overweight and obese persons may reflect downregulation of hypothalamic leptin receptor production as a result of an increase in circulating leptin and might be an important factor in leptin resistance.