J Korean Med Sci.  2008 Aug;23(4):685-690. 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.4.685.

Body Weight and Plasma Levels of Ghrelin and Leptin during Treatment with Olanzapine

• Kim BJ
• Sohn JW
• Park CS
• Hahn GH
• Koo J
• Noh YD
• Lee CS

• KMID: 1785830
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2008.23.4.685

Abstract

Although enhanced appetite and weight gain are potential side effects of treatment with antipsychotic agents, particularly olanzapine and clozapine, the mechanisms underlying these side effects are poorly understood. Leptin and ghrelin were recently identified as hormones that play crucial roles in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism. To elucidate relationships between weight change and plasma levels of ghrelin and leptin, we investigated the circulating ghrelin and leptin levels and body weight during olanzapine treatment. Twenty-four patients with schizophrenia were examined during 6-month administration of olanzapine. Ghrelin, leptin, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks of olanzapine treatment. The concentration of glucose and various lipid metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and at 24 weeks. Significant increases in weight, BMI and leptin were observed at week 24. On the other hand, the serum levels of ghrelin decreased significantly after olanzapine treatment. In addition, the level of ghrelin was negatively correlated with the leptin level, BMI and weight. The leptin level was positively correlated with both BMI and weight. Ghrelin is associated with metabolic changes, in combination with leptin, during olanzapine treatment. However, further large-scale and longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the metabolic changes involving ghrelin, leptin and insulin during treatment with antipsychotics.

Keyword

Olanzapine; Weight Gain; Ghrelin; Leptin; Schizophrenia

MeSH Terms

Antipsychotic Agents/*adverse effects
Benzodiazepines/*adverse effects
Body Mass Index
Body Weight/*drug effects
Ghrelin/*blood
Humans
Leptin/*blood
Male
Schizophrenia/blood/*drug therapy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Correlation between changes in the plasma levels of ghrelin (pg/mL) and leptin (ng/mL) and body weight (kg) in patients with schizophrenia during 24 weeks of treatment with olanzapine. Ghrelin and body weight (A), leptin and body weight (B). The change in weight was significantly correlated with the change in the plasma levels of ghrelin (r=-0.411, p=0.046) and the plasma levels of leptin (r=0.773, p<0.001).

• 

  Fig. 2 Correlation between the changes in the circulating plasma levels of ghrelin (pg/mL) and leptin levels (ng/mL) in patients with schizophrenia during 24 weeks of treatment with olanzapine. The change in plasma levels of leptin was significantly correlated with the change in plasma levels of ghrelin (r=-0.724, p<0.001).

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