High baseline leptin linked to arterial stiffening in men

High levels of circulating leptin may be a risk factor for arterial stiffening and elevated pulse pressure in men, regardless of body weight, a recent study has found.

A total of 460 adult men (mean age 50.0±7.1 years) with no documented arterial stiffening or use of antihypertensive medication at baseline were enrolled. Serum leptin was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while arterial stiffening was defined as pulse pressure >60 mmHg.

Correlation analysis revealed that baseline leptin levels were significantly associated with body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and waist circumference (p<0.01 for all), but not with pulse pressure.

Over 8 years of follow-up, the observed incidence rate of arterial stiffening was 8 percent. Participants who developed arterial stiffening tended to be older, have higher BMI and waist circumference, and have greater pulse pressure. Notably, leptin levels were also significantly elevated in men who developed arterial stiffening.

Logistic regression analysis confirmed that baseline leptin levels above the median correlated significantly with the risk of developing arterial stiffness (odds ratio, 2.2, 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1–4.4). Such an interaction remained true even after adjusting for important covariates such as central obesity and changes in body weight or waist circumference over time.

“The association detected in this study significantly adds to the recognized value of leptin in cardiovascular risk accumulated through previous studies, and in addition, it suggests a role of early markers to predict cardiovascular disease,” the researchers said.

“Given the prominent role of AS in cardiovascular risk, further studies are needed to support our conclusions and to better clarify the mechanisms involved,” they added.