The Relationship between Plasma Levels of Large Neutral Amino Acids and Leptin in Women with or Without Obesity

Obesity, characterized as excessive fat accumulation, is caused by interactions of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors [1]. Obesity increases the risk of various diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance, commonly occurring in obese subjects, is attributed to the defects in insulin action on mediating the metabolism of macronutrients in target tissues [2]. Insulin increases amino acids uptake and protein biosynthesis in a tissue-specific manner [3]. In turn, certain amino acids can mediate insulin secretion [4].