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Leptin increases average weight loss

Treatment with a genetically engineered version of the hormone leptin has been found to increase the rate of average weight loss in both lean and obese adults.

New York researchers studied 53 lean and 70 obese adults. In the first part of the double-blind study, patients were randomized to self-inject either leptin or a placebo for four weeks.

In the second part, 47 obese participants received placebo or one of four doses of leptin for an additional 20 weeks.

Lean participants weighed an average of 72 kilograms and had a body mass index between 20 and 27.5. Obese participants weighed an average of 89.8 kilograms and had a body mass index of 27.6 to 36.

Lean participants consumed a diet that maintained their weight at the start of the study. Obese participants used a diet to reduce their daily intake to 500 calories less than needed to maintain their weight.

In the first four weeks, both lean and obese patients on placebo lost an average of 0.4 kilograms, and those assigned to leptin (0.1 mg) lost an average of 1.9 kilograms. Lean subjects lost as much as obese subjects.

In the 20-week follow-up, obese patients who received the two highest doses of leptin had the greatest average weight loss. Those assigned placebo lost 1.3 kilograms. Those receiving 0.10 mg of leptin lost 2.4 kilograms and those receiving 0.30 mg lost 7.1 kilograms.

Researchers note that there was considerable variability in the amount of weight lost by individuals, but that on average weight loss increased with the dose of leptin assigned.

Leptin is important in regulating body weight as it appears to modulate eating behavior. People with a genetic deficiency of leptin exhibit extreme obesity.
"Recombinant Leptin for Weight Loss in Obese and Lean Adults A Randomized, Controlled, Dose-Escalation Trial"

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