RESUMO
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus adversely affects left ventricular [LV] structure. ri.ecent studies have shown that leptin increases in insulin-resistant states, such as obesity and hypertension. The levels of plasma leptin have been found to be associated with LV myocardial growth.To assess fasting serum leptin concentrations in the type 2 diabetic patients and to correlate its level with the LV structural changes. Patients and Twenty four type 2 diabetic patients with LV structural changes and twenty four type 2 diabetic patients without LV structural changes [controls] participated in this study. The following LV structural parameters were assessed by Two-dimensional echocardiography: left ventricular end-diastolic diameter [LVEDD], left ventricular end-systolic diameter [LVESD], interventricular septal thickness [IVST], left ventricular posterioi wall thickness [PWT], relative wall thickness [RWT] and left ventricular mass index [LVMI]. left atrium [LA] and aortic root [Ao] dimensions were also assessed. Fasting serum leptin, insulin, glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc] were determined. The correlations of eptin to LV structural parameters were statistically analyzed. Body mass index [BMI], FBG and fasting serum concentrations of leptin and insulin were significantly greater in patients than controls. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in all echocardiographic parameters apart from LVEDD, LVESD, RWT, LA and AO In the case group, leptin was positively correlated with FBG and insulin. A significant correlation was also found between serum leptin and echocardiographic parameters; PWT. IVST, SWI and LVMI. Hyperleptinemia in type 2 diabetic patients with LV structural changes and the association of leptin with indexes of LV structure may reflect its role in the development of myocardial wall thickening in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus