Relationship Between Leptin to Adiponectin Ratio and Metabolic Syndrome Indices in Apparently Healthy Adults

Abstract

Objective: Leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio is considered a predicting factor of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its related morbidities. In the present study, we determined the association of serum L/A ratio with MetS parameters in apparently healthy Iranian adults. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 apparently healthy adults aged 25 to 50 years, who were selected by random sampling from different medical centers of Tabriz city, Iran. Our criteria for being a healthy individual were based on self-report of the participants. Anthropometric measures, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and fasting serum L/A levels were measured. Results: There were significant differences (p<0.05) in weight, height, waist circumference (WC), SBP, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), serum leptin concentration, and L/A ratio between males and females. Univariate linear regression model revealed a significant positive association of serum leptin concentration with WC (p=0.024) and FBS (p=0.046). A similar result was obtained using the multiple regression model after adjusting for confounding factors (p<0.001 and p=0.045). A significant positive correlation was found between the L/A ratio and WC (p=0.010) in the adjusted model. However, no significant association was observed between adiponectin and MetS indices. Conclusion: Our findings indicated a significant positive association of serum leptin concentration with WC and FBS and between L/A ratio and WC in apparently healthy adults. Therefore, compared to adiponectin, leptin, and L/A ratio could be useful predictors of MetS.