The Relationship of Leptin Levels with Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Obese Individuals

Authors : Elife Özkan

Pages : 500-511

Doi:10.54005/geneltip.1641965

View : 51 | Download : 31

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aims: This study was conducted as a systematic literature review to evaluate the effects of leptin hormone on lipid profile and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in obese individuals. Leptin is an adipokine playing a key role in energy balance and metabolic processes, and its serum levels are significantly increased in obesity. The hypothesis that increased leptin levels may negatively affect cardiovascular risk factors by contributing to dyslipidemia was investigated. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies published between January 2010 and October 2023. Eighteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Data were collected to assess the associations between leptin levels and lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides) and cardiovascular risk factors, such as markers of inflammation, blood pressure (BP), and insulin resistance (IR). Results: Positive and statistically significant associations were found between leptin levels and total cholesterol (r=0.45, p<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (r=0.47, p<0.001). In addition, leptin levels were positively correlated with triglyceride levels (r=0.35, p<0.01) and negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol levels (r=-0.30, p<0.01). Positive relationships were also found between leptin and markers of inflammation; for example, a significant correlation (r=0.42, p<0.001) was observed between leptin and C-reactive protein (CRP). There was a tendency for increased BP and IR with increasing leptin levels. Conclusion: Increased leptin levels in obese individuals have negative effects on lipid profiles and increase CVD risk factors. A positive correlation has been observed between leptin and LDL cholesterol, but the causal relationship has not been conclusively established. Furthermore, leptin may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis by increasing markers of inflammation. These findings suggest that leptin may be a potential biomarker in the assessment of obesity-related cardiovascular risks. Leptin-targeted therapeutic approaches and strategies to overcome leptin resistance may be important in the management of obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders.
Keywords : leptin, Obezite, Lipid Profili, Kardiyovasküler Hastalık, Dislipidemi, İnflamasyon, İnsülin direnci

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