Hormonal and metabolic features of obesity in the indigenous people of the north of Siberia

Abstract

Glucose, lipids, insulin, C-peptide, hydrocortisone, and thyroid hormones were measured in the indigenous population of Northern Siberia (Evenks) with normal (244 subjects) and excessive (108 subjects) body weight and with obesity (53 subjects). Obesity in indigenous Northerners was not associated with changes in the blood metabolic parameters. The levels of glucose, total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol did not essentially change with body weight increase. Body weight increase did not modify the activity of lipid metabolism, as was shown by stable ratio offree fatty acids to triglycerides during development of obesity. The levels of hydrocortisone and thyroid hormones did not depend on obesity. Excessive body weight in indigenous Northerners did not involve changes in the blood levels of insulin and C-peptide; a significant increase in the blood insulin level was observed only in obese subjects. The results indicate that development of obesity in indigenous population of the Northern Siberia does not manifest by obvious hormonal shifts and does not modify the lipid spectrum of the blood and level of glycemia.