Moderate exercise-induced energy expenditure does not alter leptin levels in sedentary obese men

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine whether exercise-induced increases in energy expenditure (EE) alter circulating leptin levels in obese individuals. Design: Participants were randomized to an exercise intervention group (n = 8) or nonexercising control (n = 7). Setting: All data were collected on an outpatient basis at the exercise physiology laboratory at the University of Central Florida. Patients: Fifteen healthy obese males (24.9 +/- 1.4 years old, body mass index 33.4 +/- 0.7 kg - m(-2)). Interventions: Members of the intervention group underwent a single exercise session of moderate intensity (58.4 +/- 1.3% of VO(2)max) for 60 minutes. Main Outcome Measurements: Postexercise, 24 hour postexercise, and 48 hour postexercise levels of leptin, insulin, and ghrelin. Results: The exercise session elicited an EE of 567 +/- 25 Kcal. No significant main effect or time-by-group interactions for leptin or ghrelin were observed immediately after the exercise bout or in the days following the intervention. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that a bout of acute exercise of moderate intensity and duration does not affect leptin concentration. It is possible that a higher level of EE is required to elicit substantial changes.