Associations between lean mass and leptin in men with chronic spinal cord injury: Results from the FRASCI-muscle study

PLoS ONE, 2018 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198969 · Published: June 27, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Endocrinology Physiology

Simple Explanation

Leptin, an adipo-myokine, is associated with appetite and energy regulation. Prior studies show that leptin levels are correlated with BMI in individuals with spinal cord injury. This study investigated the relationships between body composition, leptin, and other related substances in men with chronic spinal cord injuries. The study found that lean mass was positively associated with leptin levels, independent of fat mass. The findings suggest that lean mass is a substantial source of circulating leptin and that sarcopenic obesity related to SCI may lead to dysregulated adipo-myokine metabolism.

Study Duration

5 years (August 2009 and December 2014)

Participants

205 men with chronic spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
There was a significant positive association between lean mass and leptin in men with SCI that was independent of fat.
2
Leptin levels were positively associated with IL-6 and negatively associated with adiponectin levels, adjusting for body composition.
3
In men with SCI and sarcopenic obesity, only fat mass remained positively associated with leptin.

Research Summary

This study assessed the association between circulating adipo-myokines and lean mass in 205 men with chronic SCI, finding a significant positive association between lean mass and leptin, independent of fat mass. The research indicates that lean mass is an under-recognized source of circulating leptin. However, in the presence of SCI-related sarcopenic obesity, this association weakens, and fat mass becomes the primary factor associated with leptin levels. The study concludes that SCI-induced sarcopenic obesity may disrupt muscle/leptin associations, suggesting dysregulated adipo-myokine activity, the systemic consequences of which warrant further investigation.

Practical Implications

Muscle-Leptin Relationship

The findings emphasize the importance of lean mass in leptin production in men with SCI.

Sarcopenic Obesity Implications

SCI-induced sarcopenic obesity disrupts the normal muscle/leptin association, indicating a dysregulation of adipo-myokine activity.

Further Research

Further investigation is needed to understand the systemic consequences of abnormal skeletal muscle-derived leptin production and/or release.

Study Limitations

1
The study only included men with SCI, limiting generalizability to women.
2
The study did not include assessments of intramuscular fat.
3
Information regarding SCI, medical history, and medication use was obtained by questionnaire

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