Serum leptin levels and blood pressure in the overweight elderly

Background. Leptin is a protein produced by adipocytes that reduces reflex appetite by blocking the Y neuropeptide, thus causing body weight loss. A l arge percentage of elderly people are reported to exhibit obesity, which ma y be caused by low leptin serum levels. However, hypertension is a highly p revalent condition in old age. Obesity under these circumstances is an adde d risk factor due to the presence and severity of hypertension and thus can be related with leptin serum levels. Our objective was to determine the re lationship between leptin serum levels and hypertension in obese elderly pe rsons. Methods. A comparative transverse study was done in a random sample of 61 e lderly persons-36 obese and 25 non-obese. Their blood pressure and their le ptin serum levels by RIA were measured. Results. Leptin serum levels showed a statistically significant difference (p <0.05) in elderly obese individuals (12.8 +/- 4.4 <mu>g/L vs. 9.8 +/- 4. 2 mug/L). Likewise, 45% of obese elderly individuals and 20% of the non-obe se were hypertensive with a predominant elevation of the systolic pressure. Conclusions. The higher serum leptin levels in obese elderly individuals su ggests that: aging is associated with resistance to leptin and/or to a decr ease of receptors for this hormone. The high incidence of hypertension duri ng the aging process is the result of associated obesity (OR = 3.2, CI 0.88 -13.14). (C) 2000 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.