Few studies have looked at the status of leptin in renal diseases especially nephrotic
syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of steroid therapy on serum leptin,
anthropometric and appetite in patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Twenty
children were recruited for this prospective study. Group I included ten children aged between 2 - 12
years with MCNS without any associated complications as impaired renal functions, hematuria,
hypertension and others. Group II included ten healthy children with matching age, sex and BMI as a
control group. Body weight, height, nutritional history including appetite, quantity of food, clinical
examination, blood pressure and blood for kidney function parameter and serum leptin were taken
before and after 3 days and after 2 weeks following prednisolone dose of 2 mg/kg/day. The same
parameters were also performed for group II. Serum leptin was higher in group II than group I
(1.575 ± 1.07 vs 0.575 ± 0.76 ng/ml p < 0.01). After 3 days and after 2 weeks of 2 mg/kg of
prednisolone, serum leptin increased significantly in group II (t = 4.65, p < 0.014) without significant
difference as it compared with group I (t = 1.65, p = 0.08). A highly significant increase in serum
leptin concentration was detected in 2 weeks after prednisone therapy compared to the base line
levels before therapy, compared to 3 days after therapy and to the control group (t = 5.69, p < 0.001,
t = 3.95, p < 0.001 and t = 8.96, p < 0.001, respectively). In group I, serum leptin was higher in
females than males (4.8 ± 2.8, p < 0.001). BMI was also higher in females compared to males.
Patients' appetite improved after prednisolone for food quantity as recorded by the recall methods.
Blood urea and serum creatinine in groups I and II did change significant within group II after
steroid and even the changes were not significantly different from the control. Serum albumin, total
serum protein, serum cholesterol concentrations and proteinuria revealed a significant difference
between the two groups (t = 5.9, 8.9, 8.98 & 16.33, respectively, p < 0.01, for all). Weight, BMI in
group I before and 2 weeks after intake of prednisone did not revealed any significant differences in
weight, BMI before and after 2 weeks of prednisone (t = 0.99 and 0.88.8, respectively) in spite of the
increase in appetite. Blood pressure had not changed significantly after the steroid therapy in MCNS
patients’ group. Thus, serum leptin concentration and appetite were significantly higher especially in
females without significant change in anthropometric, blood pressure and renal function indices after
steroid therapy in minimal change nephropathy.