Leptin is favourably associated with vascular function in obese Caucasians, but not in obese Africans

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Abstract
The comparison of the associations between chronically elevated leptin levels and cardiovascular function in obese Africans and Caucasians has not yet been determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare leptin's associations with cardiovascular function in obese African and obese Caucasian women to determine whether leptin's associations differ between these two groups. This study consisted of two case–case control studies. The first study included a sample of 102 apparently healthy African women and the second, 115 apparently healthy Caucasian women. All lean and obese subjects were selected from each study. The Finometer apparatus was used to obtain a more elaborate cardiovascular profile. Serum leptin levels, insulin levels and the lipid profile were determined. Stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were significantly (P⩽0.01) elevated in both obese African and Caucasian groups compared to their lean controls. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) was significantly decreased and arterial compliance (CW) significantly increased in both obese African and Caucasian groups. In the obese Caucasian group, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly (P⩽0.01) lower, SV and CW significantly higher (P⩽0.01) and TPR significantly lower compared to the age, body mass index (BMI), and leptin-matched obese African group. After adjusting for age and BMI, leptin correlated negatively with DBP (P⩽0.05; r=−0.33) and TPR (P⩽0.05; r=−0.36) in the obese Caucasian group, but not in the obese African group. Even though leptin levels were similar in obese African and Caucasian women, leptin is favourably associated with vascular function in obese Caucasians, but not in obese Africans.