Leptin Malnutrition and Immune Response in Rural Gambian Children

The adipocyte derived hormone, leptin has cytokine-like function and may mediate the effects of starvation on immunity. This study aims to describe the in vivo relation of leptin and immune function in children. Fasting plasma leptin concentrations, immune function, and mucosal function were measured in a cohort of 472 moderately malnourished rural Gambian children. Leptin concentrations correlated with body fat assessed by mid upper arm circumference or BMI for age z scores, and were low compared to well-nourished European norms. No detectable relations were found between leptin concentrations and any of the measures of immune or mucosal function. This result confirms that leptin acts as a peripheral signal of energy restriction, but do not support an association between fasting plasma leptin levels and immune function in children of this age.