Effects of hormone therapy and tibolone on body composition and serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women
Received 22 September 2007; received in revised form 19 November 2007; accepted 19 November 2007. published online 13 February 2008.
Objective
To compare the changes in body composition and in leptin levels in postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy (HT) or tibolone.
Design
Prospective comparative study.
Setting
Menopause Unit in a tertiary Hospital.
Patient(s)
One hundred twenty women were recruited.
Intervention(s)
Women were assigned into a control group, HT, and tibolone group.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Anthropometric indices, leptin levels, tissue fat percentage, total fat, and lean mass measurements were performed at baseline and after 6 months.
Result(s)
The serum leptin levels were in strong correlation with the total fat percentage and total fat mass at baseline. Untreated women had weight gain and a gradual decrease in leptin levels. Women receiving HT had significantly increased leptin levels. Women in the tibolone group, however, had a significant decrease in leptin levels accompanied by decreased total fat mass, fat percentage, and increased total lean mass. The changes in leptin levels were more pronounced in lean women.
Conclusion(s)
Postmenopausal women tend to gain weight accompanied with a reduction in leptin concentrations. Hormone therapy administration increases leptin levels while maintaining body weight and body fat distribution, whereas tibolone use decreases leptin levels, total fat percentage, and total fat mass.
ABSTRACT