Leptin--adipose tissue hormone and its role in cardiovascular diseases
Racek-Król, B.
Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego 20(120): 713-716
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1426-9686 PMID: 17007277 Document Number: 596717
The discovery of leptin in 1994 led to research into the participation of that hormone in the development of many pathologic states. This article presents current knowledge on the role of leptin, in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Leptin is a circulating peptide hormone produced by adipose cells which plays the main role in the regulation of metabolism in humans. Leptin, in the physiological range of plasma levels, is a regulator of cardiovascular function. In fact, higher plasma leptin levels as well as insulin resistance are directly correlated with adiposity. Hyperleptinemia accompanying obesity leads to many pathologic states: stimulation in platelets aggregation, tachycardia, hypertension, increases in plasma levels of pro-thrombotic factors and in levels of CRP and ET-1. In a multicenter study, hyperleptinemia turned out to be the main risk factor responsible for the ischemic disease, especially acute myocardial infarction. Elevated plasma leptin levels play a key role in increased incidence of cardiovascular mortality in obese.