Higher leptin levels tied to coronary artery calcium progression: Study
USA: A recent study in the journal Diabetes Epidemiology and Management showed that higher leptin levels are independently but modestly associated with the progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC). One mechanism through which leptin confers increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk may be atherosclerosis progression.
Adipose-related hormones called "adipokines" play a role in cardiometabolic pathways and have been linked to incident CVD. CAC progression prognosticates the risk of CVD. However, the association of adipokines with CAC progression is not well studied. Considering this, Erin D. Michos, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, and colleagues aimed to examine the association of adipokines with CAC progression in a multi-ethnic cohort free of CVD at baseline.
For this purpose, the researchers included 1,904 randomly-selected adults enrolled in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis having both adipokine levels [leptin, resistin, adiponectin] and CAC measured at either exam 2 (2002–2004) or exam 3 (2004–2005). CAC was measured previously at exam 1 (2000–2002) and a subset (n = 566) had CAC measured at exam 5 (2010–2012). The odds of CAC progression were examined between exam 1 and 2/3 (defined as >0 Agatston units of change/year) using logistic regression. CAC progression from exam 2/3 to 5 was examined.
Key findings include:
- At exam 2/3, the mean age was 65 yrs; 50% women.
- In models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and BMI, the highest tertile of leptin, compared to lowest, was associated with an increased odds of CAC progression over the preceding 2.6yrs [OR 1.60].
- In models further adjusted for visceral fat and CVD risk factors, the highest tertile of leptin was statistically significantly associated with a 4% greater CAC progression over an average of 7yrs.
- No associations were seen for resistin and adiponectin.
"In this longitudinal study from the MESA cohort," the researchers wrote, we found statistically significant positive associations between higher levels of leptin and CAC progression. The clinical significance remains uncertain."
"Atherosclerosis progression may be one mechanism through which leptin confers increased CVD risk," they concluded.
Reference:
The study titled, "Higher leptin levels are associated with coronary artery calcium progression: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA)," was published in the journal Diabetes Epidemiology and Management.
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