Endocrine Abstracts

The secretion of leptin, an indicator of energy reserves, declines as energy stores are consumed in growth and development at puberty. The pubertal growth and development are often altered under different kinds of stresses. Usually, stress stimulates the release of cortisol, which is a labelled marker of stress. Early teens are inclined to drug abuse that may put their bodies under stress and may induce excessive secretion of cortisol. Since, sustained high levels of cortisol may affect growth rate at puberty, the present investigation examined body weight (BW), height, BMI and plasma concentrations of leptin and cortisol in non-smoking (n=220) and heroin addicted (n=211) boys and observed relationship between heroin addiction and circulating concentrations of leptin and cortisol during different stages of pubertal development. Data were analysed using Student’s t test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. The mean BW, height, BMI and plasma concentrations of cortisol progressively increased throughout puberty and adolescence in both non-smoking and heroin addicted boys. The concentrations of cortisol were significantly higher during all stages of pubertal development in heroin addicted boys compared to non-smoking boys. The concentrations of leptin gradually declined through puberty in both groups but still remained markedly higher in heroin addicted boys. In non-smoking boys, cortisol and leptin concentrations were negatively correlated with each other at puberty. A position relationship was observed between heroin addiction and concentrations of cortisol and leptin at different stages of pubertal development. At the age of 20 years, non-smoking boys were ~10 kg heavier in weight and ~5 cm taller in size than heroin addicted boys. In conclusion, this study demonstrates reduction in growth and partial utilization of energy reserves in heroin addicted boys compared to non-smoking boys, who appeared to utilize all their energy reserves in attaining full growth at puberty.