Leptin effect in the development of obesity -related hypertension in postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT

Obesity in humans causes hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy and coronary atherosclerosis, and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that is thought to be related to sympathetic overactivity. Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that acts in the hypothalamus to regulate appetite, energy expenditure and sympathetic nervous system outflow. One of the major mechanisms leading to the development of obesity-induced hypertension appears to be leptin-mediatedsympatho-activation. This study is done to evaluate the contribution of leptin in the development of obesity related hypertension in post menopausal women. A total number of 64 subjects [post menopausal women] included in the study were divided into obese hypertensive group [n= 38] and non obese non hypertensive group [n=26], age [57 +/- 4.5year] and [56 +/- 2.7year] respectively [mean +/- SD]. Obese hypertensive group defined as [BMI >/= 30 kg/m[2] and blood pressure >/= 140/90 mmHg with or without history of taking anti hypertensive medications and Non-obese non hypertensive group defined as [BMI < 30 kg/m[2]- blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg].In the present study leptin had been measured. Leptin level is higher in obese hypertensive group than in non obese non hypertensive group and it was 29.2 +/- 4 and 15.2 +/- 2.1[mean +/- SD] respectively and this difference is statistically significant with p value < 0.001. leptin may play a role in the development of obesity- related hypertension and may be an independent predictor of hypertension