P2-289 Obesity and whole blood serotonin in healthy volunteers

• Published in: Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979) Vol. 65; no. Suppl 1; pp. A301 - A302
• Main Authors: Hodge, S J, Bunting, B P, Strain, J J, Stewart-Knox, B J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.08.2011; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Analysis; Blood; Body mass; Community health; Computer programs; Obesity; social sciences; Volunteerism; Waist; X-Ray
• ISSN: 0143-005X; 1470-2738
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976k.22

The aim of this study was to explore associations between fasting whole blood serotonin levels and anthropometric measures in healthy male and female volunteers (N=68) aged between 20 and 66 years. A fasting (20 ml) venous blood sample for whole blood serotonin was collected, after which body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were measured by DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan. Data were analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v 17.0) software. Pearson (partial) correlations showed significant associations between whole blood serotonin and BMI (r=−0.284, p=0.021) and waist circumference (r=−0.325, p=0.008). The correlational nature of these analyses do not enable conclusions to be drawn as to cause and effect but suggest an interplay between obesity and lower whole blood serotonin levels.