Leptin and Cardiovascular Health

Leptin is a hormone secreted by white adipose tissue that regulates food intake. However, leptin also modulates cardiovascular health. Obesity is characterized by elevated circulating leptin concentrations, which can cause leptin resistance, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the role of leptin sensitivity or leptin resistance in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease is unclear in humans. Overall, in vivo rodent studies indicate that factors to consider regarding the relationship between leptin and cardiovascular health are: 1) selective leptin resistance, where the effects of leptin are only impaired for certain outcomes, and 2) mosaic leptin resistance, where within a certain outcome, leptin signalling may only be impaired in certain tissues/cells. This is further complicated by sex-specific differences. In the current mini-review, the effects of leptin on the cardiovascular system, directly and via the central nervous system, are discussed.