Regular Article
Leptin Is Present in Human Milk and Is Related to Maternal Plasma Leptin Concentration and Adiposity

https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1997.7736Get rights and content

Abstract

Leptin is elevated during pregnancy and may be involved in the regulation of milk production in women. Immunoreactive leptin was quantified in human milk by modified radioimmunoassay. Leptin concentration was higher in whole vs. skim milk fractions; however, leptin concentration was not correlated with percentage milk fat. Leptin concentrations in whole and skim milk were correlated with maternal plasma leptin concentrations, maternal body weight, body mass index, and tricep skinfold thickness, but not with plasma insulin concentration. These data provide the first evidence for the presence of leptin in human milk in the range of concentrations found in human plasma and indicate that the concentration of leptin in milk reflects maternal adiposity. Determining the biological role(s) of milk-borne leptin could add to our understanding of neonatal metabolism and the mechanisms underlying the development of body fat and obesity in humans.

References (26)

  • D.W. Gong et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1996)
  • T. Sollner et al.

    Cell

    (1993)
  • H. Lin et al.

    J. Dairy Sci.

    (1995)
  • L.J. Slieker et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1996)
  • Y. Zhang et al.

    Nature

    (1994)
  • J.F. Caro et al.

    Diabetes

    (1996)
  • A. Hamann et al.

    Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes

    (1996)
  • F.F. Chehab et al.

    Nature Genetics

    (1996)
  • F.F. Chehab et al.

    Science

    (1997)
  • I.A. Barash et al.

    Endo.

    (1996)
  • N.F. Butte et al.

    J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.

    (1997)
  • L. Hardie et al.

    Clin. Endocrinol.

    (1997)
  • Cited by (0)

    1

    To whom correspondence should be addressed at Purdue University, 1151 Lilly Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1151. Fax: (765) 494-9346. E-mail: [email protected].

    View full text