Hyperleptinemia is associated with altered endothelial function

• Introduction The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Leptin effects on vascular endothelium may be a key mediator although contradictory results have been presented. We aimed to explore the effects of leptin on endothelial vasomotor and fibrinolytic function in healthy volunteers and patients with coronary heart disease.Methods and Results The vascular effects of leptin were assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography in healthy volunteers (n=17) and in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) (n=83). In healthy male volunteers, intra-arterial infusion of recombinant human leptin (80, 800 and 8,000 ng/min; n=10) did not affect forearm blood flow or plasma tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) concentrations (all P>0.05).  However, during concomitant co-infusion with leptin (800 ng/min; n=10), induced vasodilatation was reduced (P=0.001), and tPA activity increased (P=0.002). In line with this, patients with coronary heart disease included in the highest tertile of plasma leptin concentrations had reduced substance P-induced vasodilatation (P<0.001), and increased tPA antigen and activity release (p<0.001 and p=0.03 respectively) compared to those in the lowest tertile.Conclusions Although leptin does not directly affect basal vascular function, acute local and chronic systemic hyperleptinemia are associated with altered endothelial function in healthy volunteers and patients with coronary heart disease respectively. These results support hyperleptinemia as a link between obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

leptin

obesity

endothelial function

cardiovascular disease

Cardiology

kardiologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)