Relationship Between Ob Gene Product and Lipid Profile in The Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Leptin, Ob gene product is overexpressed in atherosclerotic lesions, and leptin signaling is implicated in promoting both thrombosis and atherosclerosis in mice models, suggesting a role for leptin in CVD. Leptin is also known to promote pro-inflammatory signaling through cytokines and growth factors that may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by measuring its levels in atherosclerosis subjects and analyzing its correlation to anthropometric variables such as waist to hip ratio, body mass index, and biochemical parameters as lipids and glucose. Leptin levels correlate to serum glucose, triglycerides, waist to hip ratio, body mass index, and blood pressure in atherosclerosis subjects with increased body mass index. Our results show that leptin influences the lipid profile to induce the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.