Leptin/adiponectin ratio in obese women with and without binge eating disorder

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue-derived hormones are involved in the pathophysiology of eating disorders and other mental disorders. Studies have suggested that the serum leptin/adiponectin ratio is highly correlated with BMI. Furthermore, it is associated with a number of metabolic processes and inflammatory markers that are involved in obesity and mental disorders, such as the physiopathology of binge eating disorder (BED). We investigated whether variations in leptin and adiponectin serum concentrations differed between adult women with and without BED before and after a meal. METHODS: The study group was composed of 8 normal weight women (20-25 kg/m(2)) without BED, 8 obese women (>= 30 kg/m(2)) with BED, and 7 obese women without BED (non-BED). Blood samples were collected before and after the consumption of a meal composed of 55% carbohydrates, 15% protein, and 30% lipids. RESULTS: Body mass index (p<0.0001), leptin (p<0.0001) and the leptin/adiponectin ratio (p<0.0001) were higher in obese non-BED women than in obese BED and normal weight groups. Adiponectin (p=0.01) concentrations were lower in the obese BED group than in the other groups before and after the meal. CONCLUSIONS: The hypoadiponectinemia followed by the altered levels of leptin in obese BED woman may predispose these subjects to an inadequate energy balance, which could promote weight gain and an increased food intake in woman that may contribute to obesity and binge eating in these subjects.