RESUMO
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] constitutes the prototype of autoimmune disease characterized with the autoantibodies against platelet antigens. Recently, more evidences have been found related to the effects of hormones on the immune system, including their effect on autoimmunity. Leptin constitutes a hormone synthesized by the adipose tissue that binds with a receptor which is a member of the class I cytokine receptor family. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum leptin levels in order to determine the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of ITP. This study comprised 40 patients with chronic ITP besides, 20 healthy controls of similar age, sex and body mass index [BMI]. Serum leptin levels were measured by enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay [EASIA] We found that the mean serum leptin level in patients with ITP is [24.63 +/- 14.93 ng/ml] was significantly higher [P < 0.001] than in healthy controls [6.54 +/- 3.68 ng/ml]. Furthermore, the positivity of PAIgG and platelet count was significantly different between leptin-positive [level greater than mean +/- 2 SD control value] and leptin-negative patients. From the present study we could conclude that leptin might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP