Leptin and postmenopausal osteoporosis

To investigate plasma leptin concentrations in postmenopausal women to improve the understanding of the role of leptin in determining bone mass. A prospective observational cross-sectional study. Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rheumatology and Chemical Pathology at Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University. Thirty postmenopausal women with osteoporosis [ages range 45-73 years and body mass index [BM1] range 23.31-39.37Kg/m[2]], and 30 age- and BMI-matched healthy postmenopausal women. Bone mineral densities were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA]. Plasma leptin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELIZA]. The correlation of plasma leptin concentrations and bone mineral density [BMD]. Plasma leptin concentrations were significantly higher in the osteoporotic group than the control group [67.44 +/- 48.60 Vs. 38.10 +/- 19.58, p=0.004]. No correlation was observed between plasma leptin and BMD values in the osteoporotic group [r=0.2462, p=0.198; r=0.3452, p=0.067 and r=0.1898, p=0.324 for T score spine, Rt. hip and Lt. hip, respectively] and the control group [r=0.0050, p=0.980; r=0.2564, p=0.188 and r=-0.0967, p=0.624 for T score spine, Rt. hip and Lt. hip, respectively], but there was a significant positive correlation between plasma leptin and BMI in the osteoporotic group [r=0.4911, p=0.007] and the control group [r=0.8205, p<0.001]. Circulating plasma leptin does not have a significant direct influence on bone mass in postmenopausal women

Maternal serum leptin in pregnancy induced hypertension

To investigate maternal serum leptin levels in pregnancy induced hypertension, subdivided into preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. A prospective observational case-control study. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University. Forty cases in the third trimester of pregnancy with either preeclampsia [n=20] or gestational hypertension [n=20] and 20 normotensive pregnant controls. The control and study groups were matched for maternal age [ +/- two years], pre-pregnancy body mass index [ +/- 10%] and gestational age [ +/- one week]. Fasting blood samples were collected from cases and controls. Glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase method and leptin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Glucose and leptin levels were compared based on serological data. The demographic and clinical characteristics, which might influence leptin levels, were comparable [p>0.05]. The mean glucose levels were not significantly different in the control and study groups [p>0.05]. However, mean leptin levels were significantly higher in the women with preeclampsia compared with the normotensive group [16.9 +/- 7.0ng/mL vs. 9.8 +/- 4.8ng/mL, p=0.001]. Similarly, mean leptin levels were significantly higher in the women with gestational hypertension compared with their normotensive counterparts [15.1 +/- 5.9ng/mL vs. 9.8 +/- 4.8ng/mL, P=0.003]. Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension ire is associated with elevated maternal serum leptin. Leptin may play a role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to investigate the possible value of leptin as a second trimester predictor of pregnancy induced hypertension

Insulin resistance in pregnancy induced hypertension

Pregnancy induced hypertension continues to be a major of pregnancy associated morbidity and mortality. Yet, its exact pathophy sinology remains obscure. There is a growing body of evidence linking insulin resistance and pregnancy induced hypertension. To investigate the association between insulin resistance and pregnancy induced hypertension, subdivided into preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. A prospective observational case-control study. Setting: Obstetric Unit of Cairo University Hospital [Kasr EL-Aini]. Participants: Forty cases in the third trimester of pregnancy with either preeclampsia [n=20] or gestational hypertension [n=20], and 20 normotensive pregnant control. The control and study groups were matched for maternal age [ +/- two years], pre-pregnancy body mass index [ +/- 10%] and gestational age [ +/- one week]. Fasting blood samples were collected from cases and controls. Glucose was using the glucose oxidase method and insulin was measured using radioimmunoassay. Main Outcome Measure: Fasting glucose and insulin levels were compared based on serological data and fasting insulin levels were used as a marker of insulin resistance. The demographic and clinical characteristics, which might influence insulin resistance, were comparable [p>0.05]. The mean fasting glucose levels were not significantly different in the control and study groups [p>0.05]. However, mean fasting insulin levels were significantly lower in the women with preeclampsia compared with the normotensive group [p<0.001]. Conversely, mean fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in the women with gestational hypertension compared with their normotensive counterparts [p<0.001]. As with other forms of secondary hypertension, preeclampsia is not associated with insulin resistance, and like essenential hypertension, gestational hypertension is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance may play a role in the pathogenesis of gestational hypertension, but not preeclampsia