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. 2022 Apr-Jun:6:100047.
doi: 10.1016/j.deman.2021.100047. Epub 2021 Dec 23.

Higher Leptin Levels Are Associated with Coronary Artery Calcium Progression: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Bhavya Varma  1 , Oluseye Ogunmoroti  2 , Chiadi E Ndumele  2 , Di Zhao  3 , Moyses Szklo  3 , Ty Sweeney  1 , Matthew A Allison  4 , Matthew J Budoff  5 , Vinita Subramanya  6 , Alain G Bertoni  7 , Erin D Michos  2   3
Affiliations

Higher Leptin Levels Are Associated with Coronary Artery Calcium Progression: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Bhavya Varma et al. Diabet Epidemiol Manag. 2022 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Adipokines play a role in cardiometabolic pathways. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression prognosticates cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, the association of adipokines with CAC progression is not well established. We examined the association of adipokines with CAC progression in a multi-ethnic cohort free of CVD at baseline.

Methods: We included 1,904 randomly-selected adults enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who had both adipokine levels [leptin, resistin, adiponectin] and CAC by CT measured at either exam 2 (2002-2004) or exam 3 (2004-2005). CAC was previously measured at exam 1 (2000-2002) and a subset (n=566) had CAC measured at exam 5 (2010-2012). We used logistic regression to examine odds of CAC progression between exam 1 and 2/3 (defined as >0 Agatston units of change/year). We used linear mixed effect models to examine CAC progression from exam 2/3 to 5.

Results: At exam 2/3, the mean age was 65(10) yrs; 50% women. In models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and BMI, the highest tertile of leptin, compared to lowest, was associated with an increased odds of CAC progression over the preceding 2.6yrs [OR 1.60 (95% CI: 1.10-2.33)]. In models further adjusted for visceral fat and CVD risk factors, the highest tertile of leptin was statistically significantly associated with a 4% (1-7%) greater CAC progression over an average of 7yrs. No associations were seen for resistin and adiponectin.

Conclusions: Higher leptin levels were independently, but modestly, associated with CAC progression. Atherosclerosis progression may be one mechanism through which leptin confers increased CVD risk.

Keywords: adipokines; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular risk; coronary artery calcium; leptin.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Study Flow Chart
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Median Adipokines levels for CAC progressors vs CAC non-progressors. Panel A shows levels for Leptin and Resitin. Panel B shows levels for Adiponectin.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Median Adipokines levels for CAC progressors vs CAC non-progressors. Panel A shows levels for Leptin and Resitin. Panel B shows levels for Adiponectin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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