Background & Objectives: Leptin is a hormone secreted from adipocyte tissue with established role in the differentiation and proliferation of hematopoietic cells. This hormone has major impact on fat metabolism. LIF is a pleiotropic cytokine with extensive hematopoietic, neuronal, and endocrine actions. LIF and IL-6 are leading to decreased level of leptin by activating signaling via their own receptors. Body mass index (BMI) has a direct connection with the leptin. It seems that Hb and HCT levels are also implicated in disease prognosis. This study was conducted to evaluate leptin, LIF and IL-6 serum levels and also to measure the amounts of BMI, Hb and HCT in lymphoid leukemia patients .

  Methods: The study was carried out on 30 leukemia patients (15 cases ALL and 15 cases CLL). Fifteen healthy subjects were considered as control. Serum levels of leptin, LIF and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. BMI was calculated by statistical formula. The amount of Hb and HCT were measured by cell counter. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. Statistical differences between groups were assessed by t test, and p<0.05 was considered significant.

  Results: Leptin serum level showed a decrease in ALL patients (p<0.002), but there was an increase in CLL patients when comparing with control group (p<0.003). BMI and serum levels of leptin, LIF and IL-6 were showed a significant decrease in ALL patients in comparison with control group (p<0.05). Although, LIF serum levels and BMI in CLL patients showed a decrease, a significant increase in leptin serum level was observed (p<0.05). A decrease in IL-6 level was also observed which was not significant. The relation between BMI and leptin serum level in ALL and CLL patients were not significant, nevertheless it was significant in control group (p<0.05). Hb and HCT levels in both ALL and CLL patients showed a significant decrease (p <0.05).

  Conclusion: Findings on serum levels of LIF, IL-6, Leptin, Hb and HCT and also its relations with BMI in ALL and CLL patients suggest that, these factors may have important role in physiopathology of lymphoid leukemia.