الفهرس 
Inflammatory processes and biomarkers inOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Leptin, the product of the ob gene secreted by adipocytes, is a multifunctional
peptide hormone, the circulating concentration of which is
proportional to fat mass. It has a major influence on body weight and
metabolism and is significantly increased in obesity leading to the
concept of leptin resistance.
Although the hypothalamus is considered to be the main target for
leptin it is becoming clear that leptin has actions on other tissues. A
potential role for leptin in vascular physiology/pathophysiology is
supported by studies demonstrating that leptin leads to
sympathoactivation, superoxide production, vascular, calcification, and
angiogenesis.
Leptin is a vasodilator. The mechanisms underlying this effect are
unclear and results of studies in different specie contradictory. In rats, it
has been shown that leptin leads to vasorelaxation, an effect, which may
occur by activation of PI3K/Akt to stimulate endothelial nitric oxide
(NO) synthase.
Leptin leads to vasorelaxation by smooth muscle hyperpolarization,
whereas a small study in humans did not support a role for NO in leptin’s
vascular effects. It has peripheral actions to stimulate vascular
inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular smooth muscle hypertrophy
that may contribute to pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease.