Hyperleptinemia positively correlated with metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and fasting serum leptin concentration in renal transplant recipients.

Patients and methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 55 renal transplant recipients. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation.

Results: Thirteen patients (23.6%) had metabolic syndrome. Fasting leptin concentrations were positively correlated with metabolic syndrome (p=0.003). Univariate linear regression analysis indicated fasting serum leptin values were positively correlated with waist circumference (r=0.284; p=0.036), body mass index (r=0.358; p=0.007), body fat mass (r=0.610; p<0.001), triglycerides (r=0.268; p=0.048), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r=0.377; p=0.005), triceps skinfold (r=0.335; p=0.012), and mid-arm fat area (r=0.351; p=0.009). Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables revealed that body fat mass (R2 change=0.373; p<0.001) and hs-CRP (R2 change=0.045; p=0.049) were the independent predictors of fasting serum leptin concentration.

Conclusion: Serum leptin concentration correlates positively with metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients.