Korean Circ J.  2007 Jun;37(6):251-257. 10.4070/kcj.2007.37.6.251.

Leptin is Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction in Healthy Obese Premenopausal Women

• Kwon K
• Choi K
• Park SH

• KMID: 1825858
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2007.37.6.251

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated that adipokines can have positive and/or negative effects on vascular function. In this study, we attempted to characterize the association of adipokines with endothelium-dependent vasodilation in healthy premenopausal women.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Noninvasive pulse wave analysis coupled with provocative pharmacological testing with salbutamol was used to measure endothelium-dependent vasodilation in 60 healthy premenopausal women [37 obese women; body mass index (BMI) > or = 25 kg/m2, 23 age-matched non-obese women; BMI<25 kg/m2]. The lipid profile, fasting insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in each patient were assessed via standard laboratory techniques, and plasma concentrations of various adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin and TNF-alpha, were measured via enzyme immunoassays.
RESULTS
In the obese group, higher leptin concentrations were significantly associated with impairments in endothelium-dependent vasodilation (r=-0.371, p=0.005). This association remained significant, even after adjustment for other risk factors (beta=-0.39, p=0.006). However, we determined that there was no significant correlation between endothelium-dependent vasodilation and these variables in the obese group and the control group. CONSLUSION: Increased plasma concentration of leptin was associated with impairment in endothelial function in obese premenopausal women, regardless of the metabolic and inflammatory disturbances associated with obesity.

Keyword

Endothelium; Vascular; Leptin; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Adipokines
Adiponectin
Albuterol
Body Mass Index
C-Reactive Protein
Endothelium
Fasting
Female
Glucose
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Insulin
Leptin*
Obesity
Plasma
Pulse Wave Analysis
Resistin
Risk Factors
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vasodilation
Adipokines
Adiponectin
Albuterol
C-Reactive Protein
Glucose
Insulin
Leptin
Resistin
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The augmentation index is a measure of the effects of wave reflection on the second systolic peak and is thus a measure of the additional load to which the left ventricle is subjected as a result of wave reflection. The augmentation index is calculated as the increment in pressure from the first shoulder in the ascending aortic pressure wave (a) to the peak of this wave (b), and it is expressed as a percentage of the peak ascending aortic pressure wave. AIx: augmentation index.

• 

  Fig. 2 Association between endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the levels of leptin and adiponectin in obese women. Aix: augmentation index.

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