Leptin is a protein hormone produced by adipocytes. Its serum concentrations in the most of cases positively correlate with total body fat content and body mass index (BMI). Leptin plays a role in the food intake regulation. It also increases resting energy expenditure in hypoleptinaemic ob/ob mice. Its relationship to resting energy expenditure in human is less clear. The aim of our study was to follow the serum leptin levels in healthy females (n = 12) and males (n = 14) and their relationship to resting energy expenditure, body fat content, other antropometric and nutritional biochemical parameters. It was found that serum leptin levels were significantly higher in females comparing to males (6.8 +/- 3 ng.ml-1 vs. 2.6 +/- 1 ng.ml-1, p < 0.05). The serum leptin levels correlated positively with body fat content and body mass index in both groups. In females the positive correlation between body weight and serum leptin levels was found. No statistically significant relationship between serum leptin levels and resting energy expenditure, serum total protein, albumin or prealbumin concentration was found in any of studied groups. The results of our study do not testify to direct relationship between serum leptin levels and resting energy expenditure in young healthy individuals.

Keywords: Adult; Basal Metabolism; Body Mass Index; Female; Humans; Leptin /blood/; Male