Role of leptin and dyslipidemia in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and plasma leptin level is elevated in cardio renal syndrome. We wanted to explore leptin levels in patients with different stages of CKD and find its association with risk of cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Nephrology Department of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from January 2014 to September 2014. Group I comprised of controls (GFR=116±8.3, n = 44) acquired from general population, CKD patients were grouped as II, III and IV respectively with GFR; 85.77±9.9 (n = 42), 53.84±9.9 (n=42) and 20.22±8.4 (n = 42). CKD patients with any inflammatory disease, Diabetes Mellitus and on steroid therapy were excluded. Serum leptin, lipid profile and C reactive proteins (CRP) were measured. Leptin and CRP levels increased significantly with progression of CKD. High density lipoproteins (HDL) to low density lipoproteins (LDL) ratio was significantly high in control as compared to CKD groups (p<0.001). A positive correlation of leptin was observed with CRP and HDL/LDL ratio (r= 0.994, p<0.001 and r=-0.403 p<0.001) respectively. Hyperleptinemia observed with progression of CKD contributed to pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease by decreasing HDL/LDL ratio.