Leptin, Adiponectin and its Molar Ratio as a Biomarker in the Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome

In order to prevent the downstream effects of metabolic syndrome, it is essential to identify the disease in its early stage and to initiate early treatment.

To analyze the relationship of the adipocyte-derived hormones (adiponectin and leptin) with indices of metabolic syndrome diagnosis in Gujarati adult population.

In this cross-sectional study, total 87 consecutive patients (44 metabolic syndrome positive and 43 metabolic syndrome negative) were recruited. Clinical evaluation included anthropometry, blood pressure, serum insulin (by electrochemiluminescence), adiponectin (by ELISA), leptin (by ELISA), and related parameters such as blood pressure, lipids and fasting blood glucose. Presence of the metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the joint statementgiven by international groups (2009).

Of the enrolled participants (n: 87), individuals with metabolic syndrome (n: 44) had lower adiponectin, but higher leptin, insulin resistance index and insulin levels than participants with no metabolic syndrome (n: 43). On bivariate correlation analysis with Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), leptin and adiponectin were positively and negatively linked, respectively, with waist circumference, BMI, triglyceride and fasting insulin. However, with respect to HDL-C, a strong negative and positive correlation (p<0.001) was found between leptin and adiponectin respectively. Leptin/Adiponectin ratio had a largest AUC (0.892) suggesting its better diagnostic utility with 91% sensitivity and 81% specificity in studied population compare to leptin (0.875) and adiponectin (0.684).