Association Between Serum Leptin Level and Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Renal Medicine

Background:

• Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) shares pathophysiological similarities with atherosclerosis.
• Leptin, a hormone, is known to accelerate atherosclerotic processes.
• The role of leptin in the development of CAVD requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum leptin levels and the presence of CAVD.
• To determine if leptin is an independent predictor of CAVD.
• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of leptin for CAVD detection, particularly in specific patient subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Serum leptin was measured in 397 patients undergoing echocardiography.
• Multiple logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were employed.
• Western blotting assessed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in aortic valves.

Main Results:

• Patients with CAVD exhibited significantly higher median serum leptin levels compared to controls (20.07 vs. 9.03 ng/mL).
• Elevated leptin was an independent determinant of CAVD presence (P<0.01), with an AUC of 0.74 from ROC analysis.
• Leptin's diagnostic value for CAVD was greater in younger patients (≤65 years) and those with reduced renal function (eGFR ≤82.06 mL/min/1.73 m²).
• Increased ERK1/2 activation was observed in calcific aortic valves compared to normal valves.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum leptin is significantly associated with the presence of CAVD.
• Leptin serves as an independent predictor for CAVD.
• The diagnostic utility of leptin for CAVD is pronounced in younger individuals and those with renal dysfunction.