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Pharmacopsychiatry 2000; 33(3): 81-88
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8451
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Body Weight Gain after Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs: Correlation with Leptin, Insulin and Reproductive hormones

T. Baptista1 , A. Lacruz1 , S. de Mendoza2 , J. M. MendozaGuillén2 , R. Silvera3 , F. Angeles3 , M. T. Mendoza4 , L. Hernández1
  • 1Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Los Anden, Mérida, Venezuela
  • 2Metabolism Center, Mérida, Venezuela
  • 3Department of Psychiatry, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
  • 4San Marcos de León Clinic, Carabobo, Venezuela
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Excessive body weight gain, hyperprolactinemia and low gonadal steroid serum levels are often observed during chronic administration of antipsychotic drugs (AP). Clinical and experimental findings suggest that leptin, the peptidic hormone involved in long-term body weight regulation, and reproductive hormones are interrelated. Therefore, we assessed circulating leptin levels in healthy, lean women (n = 12) and men (n = 7) before and after short-term administration of the AP sulpiride (SUL, 200 mg/day). In addition, we studied psychotic obese (n = 9) and lean women (n = 13) under chronic treatment with diverse AP. No significant weight changes were observed after SUL administration in healthy women - initial weight: 54.9 ± 2.6 Kg; final weight: 55.04 ± 2.6, NS. Leptin levels did not change either: 11.9 ± 1.5 ng/ml. vs. 10.6 ± 1.3, NS. By contrast, a small, but significant weight gain was found in SUL-treated men - 60.6 ± 1.9 Kg. vs. 61.3 ± 2.1, p = 0.004. Leptin and insulin levels were significantly higher after SUL administration - leptin: 2.77 ± 0.22 ng/ml. vs. 13.9 ± 2.5, p = 0.035; insulin: 3.59 ± 0.17, mIU/ml vs. 8.81 ± 0.81, p = 0.0001. In these subjects, leptin levels positively correlated with body weight change (p = 0.006), and serum prolactin change (p = 0.001). Obese psychotic women (Body Mass Index, BMI, Kg/m2 = 31.5 ± 1.03) displayed higher leptin levels than non-obese psychotic women (BMI = 25.5 ± 0.52): 26.8 ± 4.8, vs. 12.8 ± 3.4 ng/ml, p = 0.006. In these women, a significant positive correlation was found between leptin levels and BMI (p = 0.0001), and between leptin and basal insulin levels (p = 0.001). These results show that the expected circulating leptin elevation which is observed when body weight raises, is preserved in people treated with AP drugs.

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Trino Baptista

Apartado 93

Mérida, 5101-A

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Email: conru@ing.ula.ve