Elevated leptin levels in subjects with familial combined hyperlipidemia are associated with the increased risk for CVD

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2005-12, Vol.183 (2), p.355-360
• Main Authors: van der Vleuten, Gerly M., Veerkamp, Mario J., van Tits, Lambertus J.H., Toenhake, Helga, den Heijer, Martin, Stalenhoef, Anton F.H., de Graaf, Jacqueline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood coagulation. Blood cells; Body Mass Index; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular system; Coronary heart disease; CVD; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; FCH; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heart; Humans; Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined - blood; Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined - complications; Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined - genetics; Incidence; Insulin - blood; Insulin Resistance; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leptin; Leptin - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Molecular and cellular biology; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; Obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - complications; Phenotype; Platelet; Radioimmunoassay; Risk Factors; Ultrasonic investigative techniques
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.03.019

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) is characterized by hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia and is associated with premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Other features of FCH are obesity and insulin resistance. Serum leptin levels have been associated with obesity, insulin resistance and CVD. The aim of this study was to determine whether increased leptin levels contribute to the FCH phenotype and its increased risk for CVD. The study population comprised 644 subjects, including 158 FCH patients. Leptin levels were determined, using a commercially available ELISA. For both males and females, the mean leptin level (ng/ml) was higher in FCH patients compared to normolipidemic relatives and spouses. However, after standardization for BMI and insulin resistance, these differences disappeared. The 90th percentile of the leptin level, standardized for BMI, insulin resistance and gender, was associated with an increased risk for CVD in FCH patients (odds ratio = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.1–8.0) and in non-FCH subjects (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.3–9.0). The overall increased risk for CVD, associated with a leptin level >90th percentile, was 3.3 (95% CI = 1.7–6.4). We conclude that in patients with FCH, leptin levels are increased in proportion to their higher BMI and the presence of insulin resistance. These increased leptin levels are associated with an increased risk for CVD both in FCH patients and non-FCH subjects, independent of BMI, insulin resistance and gender.