The Leptin to Adiponectin Ratio is a Marker of the Number of Metabolic Syndrome Criteria in French Adults

Aim: Visceral distribution of adipose tissue (AT) is one of the key components of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS).Plasma concentrations of leptin and adiponectin are closely linked to AT distribution.Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, is linked to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk.The purpose of this study is to describe the extent of the usefulness of the Leptin/Adiponectin (L/A) ratio as a marker of MetS.Methods: Leptin and adiponectin concentrations, magnetic resonance image-based of visceral and subcutaneous fat measurements, and carotid PWV were analyzed in the subjects of a French prospective cohort composed of 97 subjects not presenting metabolic syndrome (MetS-), 122 patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS+) without diabetes, and 94 type 2 diabetics (T2D) with MetS.Results: After adjustment for gender and age, leptinemia was found to be higher in MetS+ patients than in T2D patients.Adiponectinemia alone was not discriminated.There was a statistically significant difference in the L/A ratio between MetS-patients and the other groups.For the whole population, there is a positive correlation between the L/A and waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, visceral fat (r=0.53),triglyceride concentrations, fasting glucose concentrations, insulinemia, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and number of MetS criteria (r=0.39).The L/A ratio is also significantly correlated with carotid artery stiffness.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of the L/A ratio as a marker, independent of age and gender, of a subject's metabolic risk.The L/A Ratio is also a reliable marker for arterial stiffness.