Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
Published on: October 25, 2019
Relationships between leptin and C-reactive protein with cardiovascular disease in the adult general population
Abel Romero-Corral1, Justo Sierra-Johnson, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Insights
High leptin levels independently predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in both men and women. While C-reactive protein (CRP) alone does not predict CVD, combined leptin and CRP levels indicate the highest risk.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Inflammation Biomarkers
Background:
- Leptin, a key regulator of appetite and metabolism, may influence C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of systemic inflammation.
- Both leptin and CRP are recognized predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- The precise interplay between leptin, CRP, and their combined association with CVD risk remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent and combined associations of leptin and CRP levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large, multiethnic population.
- To determine if leptin or CRP are independent predictors of CVD after adjusting for each other and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of leptin, CRP levels, anthropometric data, and cardiovascular risk factors from 6,251 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).
- Logistic regression modeling to assess the association between leptin, CRP, and CVD (defined as history of myocardial infarction or stroke).
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the incremental predictive value of leptin and CRP for CVD.
Main Results:
- High leptin levels were significantly associated with increased CVD risk in both men (OR 2.47) and women (OR 3.30) after adjusting for multiple confounders, including CRP.
- Elevated CRP levels were not significantly associated with CVD risk after adjustment for leptin.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between leptin and CRP levels in both sexes (rho = 0.22 in men, rho = 0.32 in women, P < 0.0001).
- The addition of both leptin and CRP together significantly improved the predictive ability for CVD compared to traditional risk factors alone.
Conclusions:
- High leptin levels are an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), even when C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are accounted for.
- Elevated CRP levels do not appear to be an independent predictor of CVD when leptin levels are considered.
- The combination of elevated leptin and CRP concentrations confers the highest risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
Background:
Leptin could be a key regulator of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which serve as a marker of systemic inflammation. Both leptin and CRP are predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the interactions between leptin and CRP, and their association with CVD, remain unclear. We therefore studied them in a large, multiethnic population.
Methods:
We analyzed leptin and CRP levels, anthropometric variables and cardiovascular risk factor data from 6,251 participants from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between leptin, CRP and CVD (defined as history of myocardial infarction or stroke). Receiver operating characteristic curves were created to study the additional value of leptin and CRP for the association with CVD.
Results:
The mean age was 44.4 +/- 0.21 years (52.5% women). After adjustment for age, race, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity and CRP, high levels of leptin were significantly associated with CVD in men (odds ratio 2.47, 95% CI 1.19-5.19) and in women (odds ratio 3.30, 95% CI 1.47-7.99). After adjustment for leptin, CRP was not associated with CVD. There was a significant correlation between levels of leptin and CRP (Spearman correlation rho = 0.22 in men and rho = 0.32 in women, both P < 0.0001). The area under the curve, representing the association between cardiovascular risk factors and CVD, increased after the addition of high levels of both leptin and CRP together.
Conclusion:
High leptin levels are independently associated with CVD even after adjustment for CRP; elevated CRP levels are not associated with CVD after adjustment for leptin. However, increased concentrations of both leptin and CRP confer the highest risk for CVD.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:24Obesity
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management