Correlation of Leptinemia with Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Youths: Influence of Obesity, Gender and Stage of Puberty

Objective: To evaluate correlation of leptinemia with components of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in Moroccan youths, and effect of obesity, Blood Pressure (BP), gender and puberty stage on MetS-components.Study design: Anthropomorphic, metabolic and clinical parameters [Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), energy intake, Blood Pressure (BP), Plasma levels of lipids, leptin, Alanine-Amino Transferase (ALT), Apo-B, Uric Acid (UA), glucose, insulin and Insulin Resistance (IR) (Homeostasis-Model-Assessment (HOMA-IR) and Fcβ (intra hepatic-IR)] were determined in 82 obese and 51 non-obese, male and female youths at different stages of puberty.Results: Obesity was a major but not the only determinant of levels of leptin, BP, triglycerides, insulin, UA and ALT, and HOMA-IR, Fcβ; BMI was correlated with WC, BP and UA. Girls had higher leptin levels than boys, irrespective of obesity. Higher puberty stage was associated with higher values of BP, leptin, and ALT, irrespective of gender. Leptinemia was correlated with MetS-components: BMI, WC, BP, cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo-B, insulin, UA and HOMA-IR in all subjects; 10.8 - 16.2% of obese youths had MetS.Conclusions: Leptinemia was correlated with several MetS-components. Hyperleptinemia in youths, indicating leptin resistance and IR, could predict development of MetS and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Early detection of MetS may be helpful in identifying those at risk for T2DM and CV disease, and preventive measures may be protect them from development of metabolic and cardiac disorders in the future.