Perioperative changes of serum leptin levels in women with uterine leiomyoma

Jung, In Kook; Kim, Ki Hyung; Na, Yong Jin; Lee, Kyu Sup

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible relationship between uterine leiomyoma and serum leptin levels, we compared serum leptin levels between women with uterine leiomyoma and women without leiomyoma, and then investigate the effects of hysterectomy on serum leptin levels.
METHODS
Serum leptin levels were measured before (day-1) and after (day+5) surgery for 32 women with uterine leiomyoma and were measured when they visit our health promotion center for 32 normal women. We compared serum leptin levels between two groups, and then we analyzed perioperative changes of serum leptin levels in women with uterine leiomyoma. Pearson correlation test was performed between pre-/postoperative leptin ratio and resected uterine weight to investigate whether the changes of serum leptin levels are directly related with resection of leiomyoma.
RESULTS
In women with uterine leiomyoma, serum leptin levels were lower compared with normal group (7.41+/-4.31 ng/mL vs. 17.56+/-8.65 ng/mL) (P<0.05). Postoperative serum leptin levels were decresed than preoperative serum leptin levels (6.07+/-2.98 ng/mL vs. 7.41+/-4.31 ng/mL) (P<0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient between pre-/postoperative leptin ratio and resected uterine weight showed no statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
Serum leptin levels were lower in women with uterine leiomyoma. And serum leptin levels were more decreased after hysterectomy. There were significant postoperative decrease in serum leptin levels but the result between pre-/postoperative leptin ratio and resected uterine weight revealed no direct correlation. It seems that lower serum leptin levels maybe due to postoperative stress and neuroendocrinological response rather than myoma itself. In conclusion, further investigation is needed for clinical use of serum leptin levels as a serum marker after conservative treatment of uterine leiomyoma.