ESTIMATION OF SERUM AND ASCITIC FLUID LEPTIN LEVELS IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver diseases are considered a major health problem in the world. Leptin is a member of cytokine family secreted by the adipocytes and known to reduce food intake. It was first linked to obesity, Recent attention has been focused on the liver profibrogenic role of leptin in human and animal models so, we aimed to estimate the serum and the ascitic fluid leptin levels in chronic liver disease. Subjects &Method: Serum and ascitic leptin levels were measured using ELIZA test in patients with liver cirrhosis (GI), hepatocellular carcinoma (GII), fatty liver (GIII) and healthy control (GIV). Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly elevated in the three patients groups when compared to the control group with significantly higher levels in females than males in all groups. This suggests a role of leptin in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic liver diseases. The ascitic fluid leptin levels in GI and GII were more than the serum levels suggesting intra-abdominal production of leptin. Conclusion: The elevated leptin level in group GI and GII, patients may play a role in the pathogensis and progression of the disease. The elevation of ascitic fluid leptin levels more than serum levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma may suggest an intra-abdominal production of leptin.

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