Leptin levels of the women in studies 3 and 4 were low (mean ± SE, study 3 = 3.4 ± 0.7, study 4 = 4.3 ± 0.4 ng/ml), but generally higher than the leptin levels of patients with generalized lipodystrophy (1.3 ± 0.3 ng/ml)31, thus representing a model of milder, acquired partial leptin deficiency. The gene discussed is LEP; the disease is generalized lipodystrophy.