Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma leptin dynamics following bariatric surgery in women
Authors' conclusion
Our findings indicate that obesity-related alterations in leptin transport are primarily attributable to the obese state rather than an intrinsic defect of the transport system and are potentially reversible through weight loss.
Study context
- Population
- Women with obesity eligible for bariatric surgery and age-matched control women, tertiary hospital, 2017–2025
- Participants
- 33 vs 13
- Exposure
- Women with obesity before and 1 year after bariatric surgery (BS) vs age-matched control women
- OBn = 33
- HCn = 13reference
- Outcome
- Plasma and CSF leptin dynamics (CSF-to-plasma leptin ratio as brain leptin transport efficiency)
- Follow-up
- Baseline and 1 year after BS
Methodological detailssingle-centre (tertiary hospital), age-matched controls
- Single-centre (tertiary hospital)
- Age-matched controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Plasma and CSF leptin, CSF-to-plasma leptin ratio
- At baseline, OB had elevated plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leptin and reduced CSF-to-plasma leptin ratio
- After BS, leptin transport efficiency markedly improved
- Both plasma and CSF leptin decreased; CSF leptin reduction less pronounced
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Prediction of weight loss at 1 year
- Neither baseline CSF leptin nor CSF-to-plasma leptin ratio predicted weight loss at 1 year
Mid-term weight trajectories after BS · year 1 to 4
- Postsurgical CSF leptin and CSF-to-plasma leptin ratio not associated with post-BS mid-term weight trajectories
Original publication
Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma leptin dynamics following bariatric surgery in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 8 January 2026. doi:10.
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