Leptin as a cardiovascular risk factor.

The role of leptin in humans is not yet precisely established. Nevertheless there is increasing evidence revealing that this molecule is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as an independent risk factor. From another point of view, however, leptin is already related to known traditional risk factors for accelerated atherogenesis, like obesity. We herein provide the experimental and clinical data concerning the association between leptin and atherosclerotic disease. Vascular stiffness and calcification, immune response regulation, fibrinolysis, and oxidative stress, are the main fields to be investigated in relation to leptin in the present study. Additionally the description of the main characteristics of leptin and its receptors is included in the introduction of this article, whereas in the end the main clinical data suggesting that this molecule represents an interesting risk factor for atherosclerotic disease are provided.