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Free leptin index and thyroid function in male highly trained athletes

¹ Department of Sport, Nutrition and Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Kramer 4/a 20129 Milan, Italy² Internal Medicine, San Raffaela Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy

(Correspondence should be addressed to G Perseghin at Department of Sport, Nutrition and Health, Università degli Studi di Milano and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Internal Medicine; Email: perseghin.gianluca{at}hsr.it)

Objective: Exercise training may cause changes in thyroid function. This thyroid response may be due to exercise-induced modulation of energy metabolism but also of the adipocytes endocrine function. In particular, the role of leptin and of circulating soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) was unexplored. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between thyroid function, whole body energy metabolism, and adipokines – mainly leptin and its receptor, sOB-R.

Methods: We measured serum TSH, free tri-iodothyronine (FT₃), free thyroxine, leptin, and sOB-R and assessed energy homeostasis by means of indirect calorimetry, in 27 highly trained athletes and 27 sedentary, healthy men.

Results: TSH–FT₃ ratio was lower in athletes (P<0.03), either in sustained power or anaerobic power-sprint athletes (n=13) or marathon runners (n=14). Whole body respiratory quotient was lower in athletes. Fasting serum sOB-R was higher and leptin lower in athletes than controls. Also serum adiponectin, resistin, and retinol binding protein-4 concentrations were different in athletes than in controls. The ratio between leptin and sOB-R, the free leptin index (FLI), was lower in athletes than in controls (0.025±0.014 vs 0.085±0.049; P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, FLI retained independent association with TSH–FT₃ ratio.

Conclusion: Male, elite athletes had lower TSH–FT₃ ratio and FLI than controls while FLI was independently associated with TSH–FT₃ ratio supporting the hypothesis that the level of biologically active leptin is involved in the adaptive response of thyroid function in professional athletes.