Conclusions The current evidence does not suggest an association between leptin and PCa outcome .
However , there may be an inverse association between adiponectin and the incidence of advanced PCa that should be investigated by further studies .
Background Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for prostate cancer ( PCa ) .
In obesity , serum levels of the appetite-regulating hormones — leptin , adiponectin , and ghrelin — become deregulated .
Objective To explore whether serum levels of appetite-regulating hormones associate with the incidence of PCa , the incidence of advanced disease , or PCa-specific mortality .
Leptin increases prostate cancer aggressiveness
Recent studies indicate that adipose tissue and adipocytokines might affect the development of prostate cancer ( PCa ) . Leptin would have a stimulating effect on prostate cancer cells by inducing promotion and progression , whereas adiponectin would have a protective effect . The aim of this study was to determine the relation between body composition , leptin , and adiponectin levels with the prevalence and aggressiveness of PCa in men of Mendoza , Argentina . Seventy volunteers between 50 and 80 years ( 35 healthy men as control group and 35 with PCa ) were selected . The PCa group was subclassified according to the Gleason Score ( GS ) . Digital rectal examination , transrectal ultrasound , and prostatic biopsy were performed ; PSA , testosterone , leptin , and adiponectin levels  were determined ; and a nutritional interview including anthropometric measurements and a food frequency question naire was carried out . Statistical analysis was performed by Student t test , ANOVA I , and Bonferroni ( p < 0.05 ) . Body mass index and percentage of body fat mass were not statistically different between PCa and control groups . However , body fat mass was higher in subjects with more aggressive tumors ( p = 0.032 ) . No differences were observed regarding leptin levels between the groups . Nevertheless , leptin levels were higher in subjects with high GS ( p < 0.001 ) . Adiponectin levels showed no statistical differences regarding the presence and aggressiveness of the tumor ( p = 0.131 ) . Finally , consumption and nutrient intake did not differ in the studied groups . In conclusion , body composition and leptin are related to the PCa aggressiveness but not with its prevalence
Conclusions The current evidence does not suggest an association between leptin and PCa outcome .
However , there may be an inverse association between adiponectin and the incidence of advanced PCa that should be investigated by further studies .
Background Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for prostate cancer ( PCa ) .
In obesity , serum levels of the appetite-regulating hormones — leptin , adiponectin , and ghrelin — become deregulated .
Objective To explore whether serum levels of appetite-regulating hormones associate with the incidence of PCa , the incidence of advanced disease , or PCa-specific mortality .