Leptin in obesity and hypertension

Abstract

Background: Obesity along with hypertension is the common risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Leptin, an anti-obesity hormone, is currently considered to play a vital role in the development of hypertension in obesity. We aim to determine the leptin levels in hypertensive and normotensive participants and to find the correlation between leptin and hypertension in obese and non-obese hypertensive subjects. Material and methods: A total of 94 participants aged > 18 years of either gender were included in the study. The participants were divided into obese (n = 55) and non-obese (n = 39) groups with further subgroups based on presence or absence of hypertension. Height, weight and blood pressure were taken with standard methods. Leptin was determined using ELISA method and intra and inter-group comparisons were made. Results: The leptin levels were significantly higher in obese (p = 0.000), hypertensive (p = 0.048) and females (p = 0.001) compared to non-obese, normotensive and male participants. Furthermore, obese hypertensive participants were having higher leptin levels compared to obese normotensive participants but with no statistical significance (p = 0.14). Serum leptin levels positively correlated with serum LDL (p = 0.003), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.000), serum uric acid (p = 0.034) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p = 0.001). However, on correction for factors like BMI, and obesity, positive correlation persisted only for female gender (p = 0.048) and FPG (p = 0.029). Furthermore, BMI (p = 0.021) and FPG (p = 0.027) were found to be the independent risk factors for elevated leptin levels on multiple regression analysis. Conclusions: Our study concluded that serum leptin levels are higher in obesity and have a direct correlation with degree of obesity. However, our study does not support any direct correlation between serum leptin and hypertension.

Evaluation of serum leptin levels in hypertensive men in Thi Qar City-Iraq (a comparative study)

“…Leptin's action may therefore be weakened, which could make people more susceptible to developing hypertension (24, 25). In hypertensive individuals, researchers have identified a connection between serum leptin and heart rate (26,27). Previous studies have also suggested that leptin plays a role important in the progress of cardiac disorder and hypertension (28)(29).…”

Soluble Fiber Effect on Human Serum Leptin and Adiponectin: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis

“…Leptin, a hormone mainly produced by adipose tissue, has important acts in regulating weight management, food intake, energy homeostasis, glucose homeostasis, angiogenesis, immune responses, lipolysis, and fertility [ 42 43 ]. Serum leptin concentrations positively correlate with adiposity [ 44 45 ]. Therefore, overweight or obese individuals with hyperleptinemia development of leptin resistance usually cannot exert anorexigenic effects [ 44 45 ].…”

“…Serum leptin concentrations positively correlate with adiposity [ 44 45 ]. Therefore, overweight or obese individuals with hyperleptinemia development of leptin resistance usually cannot exert anorexigenic effects [ 44 45 ]. Recently, novel approaches have been introduced to attenuate the leptin levels in adiposity [ 45 ].…”

Changes in body weight and leptin: intervention of gambir extract in obese model rats

“…Research shows a close relationship between leptin levels, adiposity, and body fat percentage (14). Leptin levels indicate how much energy is stored in fat and calorie intake (15).…”