Obesity and Appetite-Related Hormones
Supornpim Chearskul MD*, Suwattanee Kooptiwut MD, PhD*, Sudaporn Pummoung MSc*, Siriporn Vongsaiyat MSc*, Malika Churintaraphan MSc*, Namoiy Semprasert MSc*, Smarn Onreabroi BSc*, Sucheera Phattharayuttawat PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : Alterations of hormones involved in food intake can lead to obesity and related-diseases. The aim of the present
study was to measure plasma levels of appetite-related hormones: insulin, leptin, adiponectin, acylated ghrelin, and cortisol
in connection with eating behaviors among obese and non-obese women.
Material and Method: The present study was performed in 53 non-obese and 33 obese Thai women (BMI < 23 and
≥ 25 kg/m2 respectively), aged 25 to 45 years. Saliva and fasting blood samples were collected for hormone measurements.
Subjects’ eating behavior was evaluated using Thai version of the Three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) and their stress
status was assessed by the Thai stress test (TST).
Results : In comparison to non-obese individuals, obese women showed higher disinhibition eating, plasma glucose, insulin,
HOMA insulin resistance index, leptin, and triglyceride levels but lesser plasma adiponectin and HDLC. Lower adiponectin
was directly associated with higher disinhibition eating. Plasma leptin related positively to fat mass and insulin resistance
but negatively to acylated ghrelin level. The trend towards increased acylated ghrelin after adjusted for age, obesity and
eating behaviors was shown in stress women.
Conclusion : Increased insulin resistance, high leptin, and reduced adiponectin accompanied with disinhibition eating have
been detected in obese women.
Keywords : Insulin, Leptin, Adiponectin, Cortisol, ACR, Acylated ghrelin, Eating behavior, Obese
