Objective: 

The aims of the study were to determine serum leptin levels in obese and healthy females, and to study whether there was a polymorphism in 25th codon of leptin gene.

Methods: 

Eighty-seven obese (BMI 40.13.9) and 75 healthy women (BMI 22.1 1.6) were constituted obese and control groups. Body fat percent, fat mass, lean body mass and body water percent were determined by bioimpedance meter. Serum leptin level was measured by ELISA method. Genomic DNA was isolated and the presence of 25th codon polymorphism in the leptin gene was determined by PCR technique.

Results: 

Mean leptin level of the obese group (147.9 44.8 ng/ml) was significantly different from those of the control group (38.522.0 ng/ml). The correlation with serum leptin level to body fat percent and fat mass was significant in the control group, but not significant in the obese group. No polymorphism in 25th codon of leptin gene in both groups was detected. CAA/CAA pattern was observed in all samples.

Conclusion: 

The difference of leptin levels between control and obese groups can not be associated with the 25th codon polymorphism of the leptin gene. This data implies that difference of leptin levels between control and obese groups are more likely to be associated with the polymorphism in the leptin receptor gene.