Abstract
Background: Diacetylmorphine (DAM) addiction is a common socioeconomic problem that markedly affects the nutritional and metabolic status of those taking it. Leptin is an important marker in regulating the body weight and lipid metabolism of each patient. Previous reports have suggested that leptin leads to the derangement of the metabolism in DAM addicts. Our study has had the aim of comparing circulating serum leptin with body mass index and lipid profile in DAM addicts, when set side by side against healthy individuals. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 82 male subjects (41/group) between 25 and 46 years of age. Participants were excluded if there were any comorbid conditions. Anthropometric measures were recorded and diet history was noted using 24 hour dietary recall. Dietary data were analysed using Windiet (R) software. Blood samples were collected for lipid profile, complete blood picture and leptin levels. Serum leptin levels were calculated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Basal serum leptin levels in addicts were significantly lower compared with controls (3.08 +/- 0.13 pg/ml vs 3.24 +/- 0.24 pg/ml; p<0.001). In addition, LDL and haemoglobin proved to have been significantly reduced in these addicts (71.8 +/- 25.99 vs 105.39 +/- 39.09; p<0.001 and 13.44 +/- 0.78 vs 14.73 +/- 0.91; p<0.001). The differences found between other parameters were not significant. Univariate and multivariate regression did not reveal any significant association of leptin with BMI or lipid profile in addicts (p=0.198). A significant association of leptin with BMI was observed in normal subjects (p=0.027). Conclusions: Circulating concentrations of leptin fall in heroin addiction. The association of serum leptin levels with body mass index and lipid profile disappears in heroin addicts.