Plasma leptin levels are lower in females, but not males, with ketamine use disorder

Ming Chyi Huang, Li Jung Chiang, Wan Hsi Chien, Tung Hsia Liu, Chun Hsin Chen, Yu Li Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Ketamine has emerged as a prominent substance of misuse. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived polypeptide hormone, has been implicated in the development of addiction. Sex-specific changes in leptin levels have been demonstrated following acute ketamine administration; the persistence of long-term ketamine use on leptin levels is uncertain. Objectives: To assess the sex-difference of leptin levels, and their persistence, in individuals with ketamine use disorder (KUD) compared to healthy controls. Methods: Plasma leptin levels were measured in 62 healthy controls (37 males, 25 females) and 68 participants with KUD (50 males, 18 females) on the first day (baseline) and after 1 and 2 weeks of abstinence. As leptin levels are affected by body mass index (BMI), BMI-adjusted leptin (leptin/BMI ratio) was also examined. Mixed model for repeated measures was used to examine changes after ketamine abstinence. Results: Compared to same-sex controls, female, but not male, participants with KUD demonstrated lower leptin levels and leptin/BMI ratio at baseline, week 1, and week 2 (leptin levels: p =.001, 0.006 and 0.032, respectively; leptin/BMI ratio: p =.004, 0.022, and 0.09, respectively). Repeated measures showed that leptin levels and the leptin/BMI ratio increased after 2 weeks of abstinence in male participants with KUD (p =.002 and 0.011, respectively), but females did not show such an increase (p >.05). Conclusions: Sex-specific differences were observed in leptin levels and the leptin/BMI ratio in individuals with KUD compared to controls. Lower leptin levels in females with KUD persisted after 2 weeks of abstinence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)659-669
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Volume50
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

Keywords

  • early abstinence
  • females
  • ketamine use disorder
  • Leptin
  • sex difference

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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