Leptin-to-Adiponectin Ratio: A New Marker for Metabolic Syndrome in Northern Indian Population

Author(s):

Arjun Kumar Singhal*

Background: Urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary changes have all contributed to an increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Indian populations during the past ten years. Numerous markers have been investigated to determine if a person is at risk for developing the metabolic syndrome, with the bulk of them having to do with adipose tissue. Recently, adiponectin and leptin, two biomarkers with a high correlation to cardiometabolic health or disease, are of particular interest.

Methods: In the general population of India, 100 persons were included. Body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, plasma lipids, adiponectin, leptin, insulin, and the homeostasis model were all measured for the purpose of assessing insulin resistance. We used binary logistic regression analysis to determine the connection between the researched factors and metabolic syndrome and Spearman's analyses to evaluate correlations.

Results: In all, 200 participants-100 men and 100 women-were enrolled for the study. Men's and women's median ages were 53 and 48, respectively (p<0.05). Men had significantly greater WHR, SBP, and DBP (p<0.05, respectively). Women had significantly higher levels of triglycerides, LDL, insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and HOMA-IR (p<0.05, respectively). Leptin to adiponectin ratio was significantly and positively correlated with body mass index (r=0.597, p<0.001), waist circumference (r=0.576, p<0.001), triglycerides (r=0.190, p=0.001), insulin levels (r=0.329, p<0.000), and HOMA-IR (r=0.301, p<0.000).

Conclusion: In this study, higher levels of LAR, together with higher levels of leptin and lower levels of adiponectin, were found to be significantly linked with metabolic syndrome. To properly determine whether LAR can be a predictor of metabolic syndrome or not, independent of confounding factors, research with adequate design must be conducted.