The aim of this study was to explore the changes in the adipokines leptin and adiponectin in obese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who underwent seven days of fasting and 21 days of low-calorie diet (LCD). The plasma leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured in 14 obese patients with T1DM at baseline, immediately after 7 days of fasting, and after 21 days of LCD. 13 non-obese patients with T1DM were studied only after an overnight fasting. Bioimpedance technique was used

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... for determination of body composition. Obese T1DM patients lost 6.0 kg (6.0; 6.8) (median, 25 %; 75 %) and decreased their fat tissue after fasting and LCD. Plasma leptin in obese T1DM was significantly higher than in non-obese T1DM patients: 9.10 (5.06; 25.89) vs. 1.71 (1.12; 7.08) µg ∙ l−1 and transiently decreased immediately after fasting: 3.45 µg ∙ l−1 (1.47; 7.00), (P<0.05). Adiponectin/leptin ratio in obese T1DM was significantly lower than in non-obese T1DM patients: 0.67 (0.57; 1.49) vs. 3.50 (2.46; 6.30) ∙ 103 and transiently increased immediately after fasting: 2.22 (1.26; 3.24) ∙ 103, (P<0.05). We conclude that obese patients with T1DM are characterized by hyperleptinemia that is reduced by prolonged fasting, but only slightly affected by low calorie diet.