High-Circulating Leptin Levels Are Associated with Greater Risk of Hypertension in Men Independently of Body Mass and Insulin Resistance: Results of an Eight-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

In this sample of originally normotensive men, circulating LPT level was a significant predictor of the risk to develop HPT over 8 yr, independently of BMI and insulin resistance.

Positive Relationship Between Plasma Leptin Level and Hypertension

“…27 However, in the current study, the association between leptin and hypertension was present even among subjects with normal weight (BMI Ͻ25 kg/m 2 ), suggesting the involvement of mechanisms other than obesity, such as inflammation, as a potential explanation for the observed association. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with the findings by Galletti et al, 3 who reported an association between plasma leptin levels and hypertension that was independent of BMI in a sample of Italian men. We also found that the association between leptin and hypertension persisted even after adjusting for high-sensitivity CRP levels, indicating that there are probably underlying explanatory mechanisms that are independent of systemic inflammation.…”

“…In previous studies in humans, discordant results have been obtained with regard to the relationship between leptin and BP. Some investigators detected a significant association between plasma leptin levels and BP only in men, [3][4][5] others detected an association only in women, 6,7 whereas some others reported a positive relationship in both men and women. 8 -10 In the current study, we found that, although plasma leptin levels are substantially higher in women (a finding that has been consistently reported in previous literature 26 also), the leptin-hypertension association was present both in women and men.…”

“…Our results contribute to the emerging concept that suggests that plasma leptin levels may serve as a novel adipose tissuederived biomarker for hypertension. 3,10 …”

“…2 However, in humans, relatively few studies have examined the putative association between leptin and hypertension, and their results have not been consistent. Some studies detected a significant association between plasma leptin levels and hypertension only in men, [3][4][5] others detected an association only in women, 6,7 whereas some others reported a positive relationship in both men and women. 8,9 Recently, Asferg et al 10 reported that plasma leptin levels predicted the risk of developing hypertension in both men and women in the Copenhagen City Heart Study.…”

Effects of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Leptin and Adiponectin Levels in Essential Hypertension

“…On the other hand, hyperleptinaemia promotes cardiovascular remodelling [7,8] mainly by increasing sympathetic nervous system activity [9]. Indeed, increased leptin levels may predict development of hypertension, independent of BMI and insulin resistance [10].Increasing evidence suggests that RAAS and adipose tissue are interplayers in BP regulation [11][12][13]. It has been suggested that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) may offer advantages as monotherapy in the treatment of obese hypertensive individuals, particularly in the prevention of metabolic disorders [14].…”