Iranian Journal of

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Background: Recurrent GDM are more common in women with previous GDM. Also GDM is an important risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes during postpartum. This study aims to determine the prevalence of postpartum IGT and T2DM in women with previous GDM.
Methods: A cohort study was conducted on 2416 pregnant women referred to five Tehran university hospital clinics. The universal screening was performed with a GCT-50g and those with plasma glucose level130mg/dl, were diagnosed as having GDM if they had an impaired GTT-100g based on Carpenter and Coustan criteria. All pregnancies were followed up until delivery. Available GDM patients underwent an OGTT-75gr within 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. Postpartum diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to ADA criteria. Student T test and ANOVA used for comparing means of variables and Chi Square used for comparing of frequency of variables. Value of P less than 0.5 determine as significant different.
Results: the prevalence of GDM was 4.7%. In fallow up 85.9% of women with GDM were screen in postpartum. 16.3% of women required insulin treatment and other patients were managed with diet. Prevalence of postpartum diabetes mellitus and IGT were 8.1% (CI 95%: 3.5-15.4) and 21.4% (CI 95%: 13.7-30.8) respectively, and 70.5% returned to normoglycemy.
Conclusion: Abnormal glucose tolerance is a common disorder in the early postpartum in GDM patients. Because of the high incidence of glucose tolerance disorders in women with previous GDM, screening, diagnosis and management during pregnancy was important for prevention of these disorders. Following up these mothers after delivery is highly recommended.

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Background: Gliclazide is a second generation sulfonylurea which its efficacy and safety in the treatment of diabetes has been established. Diamicron MR (30 mg) is a new formulation of gliclazide with modified release which offer once daily dosage administration. This study was designed to assess the effect of combination therapy with diamicron and metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Methods: 16 patients with type 2 diabetes (2 males, 14 females) more than 35 years old who despite treatment with glibenclamide and metformin had poor diabetes control participated in this clinical trial.HbA1c, lipid profile, liver and renal function tests at the end of study were compared with before. Results: No significant changes was found in FBS, BS2hpp, lipid profile and renal and liver function tests at the end of study. Patients' weight was stable during the study.
Conclusion: Regardless of well efficacy of diamicron in the treatment of new diabetics cases, it is not recommended for patients with poor diabetes control despite of combination therapy with metformin and glibenclamide.

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Background: Due to homeostatic and regulatory potentials of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular physiology, regulatory systems that determine NO bio-synthesis and bioavailability have been the subject of extensive research in molecular medicine. In the field of vascular system pathophysiology, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) which is the major producer and regulator of NO in vascular tissues has received the most attention. Impairment of NO bioavailability (NO quenching) is a common feature in poorly controlled diabetics due to increased catabolism and decreased production of NO. Such impairment in severe forms could end to vasodilation breakdown in peripheral tissues (mainly in skeletal muscles) and defective regional blood flow, that in turn disturb insulin-dependent glucose uptake ensuing insulin resistance state.
Methods: The phenotypic impact of an eNOS gene polymorphism at position 786*C/T (that its functionality has been revealed already) on genetic propensity to diabetic retinopathy is evaluated in a British-Caucasian population with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).
Results: In contrast to genotypes, there was a significant difference in distribution of allele frequencies between T1DM patients (n= 249) and healthy controls (n= 104) (p= 0/036), that may imply eNOS and/or NO involvement in development of T1DM. Most notably a significant difference also was evident in allele frequency between retinopaths (n= 134) and healthy controls (p= 0/02). No significant difference was detected when the genotype/allele frequencies were compared between retinopaths (n= 134) and non-retinopaths diabetics (n= 115) (p=NS).
Conclusion: Our data is compatible with previous studies which demonstrated that allele C of eNOS 786*C/T polymorphism is associated with increased HbA1c levels. By emphasizing the phenotypic and prognostic value of the abovementioned polymorphism, our data calls for further investigations to find out whether this polymorphism can be employed as a genetic marker in clinical medicine to recognize high-risk diabetics at the time of diabetes onset/diagnosis.

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Background: Homocysteine is regarded as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. It is of great importance to determine exact risk factors of these disorders because of their high prevalence.
Methods: The 25-64 year old individuals in 17th district of Tehran were studied. It was designed according to the WHO MONICA (Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) project using the ATP III criteria. Homocysteine levels higher than 15 µmol/l and Folate and vitamin B12 lower than 11 nmol/l and 185 pmol/l, respectively were considered as abnormal.
Results: Of the whole population, prevalence of abnormal homocysteine, Folic acid and vitamin B12 was 54.5%, 98.2% and 27%, respectively. Homocysteine levels were higher in men than women (P= 0.026). None of the differences between the means of these three risk factors were statistically significant in people with and without the metabolic syndrome. The only significant difference was higher homocysteine levels in women with metabolic syndrome (P= 0.010).
Conclusions: According to this study, hyperhomocysteinemia and Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency are more prevalent in our population. But there was no correlation between these factors and risk of metabolic syndrome. Because of the controversy about this issue and high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in our country, further studies are suggested.

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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is the most endocrinopathy in women and the most common causes of anovulatory infertility. Women with this disorder moreover the common manifestations such as,irregular menses, hirsutism and infertility, are susceptible to serious consequences like increase risk of endometrial carcinoma, dyslipidemia, hypertention, glocose intolerance, diabetes, cardiovascular problems and probably breast cancer. This study was conducted to demostrate the demographic, clinical,metabolic and hormonal conditions of the PCOS patients. Methods: A case-control study was performed on females with PCOS age group 15-40 years referring to endocrine and gynecology clinics. A control healthy woman was selected for each patient. The diagnosis of PCOS was made based upon the prescence of chronic anovolation and hyperandrogenemia .Other causes of hyperandrogenism were excluded by appropriate clinical and laboratory evalution .In all patients with PCOS and control women, appropriate medical history was taken and physical examination was done.Blood pressure ,body weight, height ,BMI,waist/hip ratio,score of hirsotism,acne, and other signs of androgen excess were determined.A venous blood sample were obtained at morning after 12_14hours fasting for measuring FBS, TG, Chol., LDL, HDL and hormonal profile,souch as:PROL,17_OH Progestrone,Te,DHEA-S and TSH.Case of late onset adrenal hyperplasia ,hypotyroidism and pituitary prolactinoma were excluded.The diagnosis of dyslipidemia was made upon the base of NCEP guidelines.Data was analyzed with Mann_Whitney U,T tests and Fisher’s and Chi_Square Tests with SPSS-11. Results: Mean age were similar in both patients and controls.Mean of BMI and diastolic pressure were significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls . Hirsutism and oligomenorrhea were the most frequent clinical features(72.7% and 69.1% respectively). SerumTG level was significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls.There were no significant difference in FBS,Chol,LDL and HDL between patients and controls. The prevalence of high triglyceride ,high cholesterol and high LDL levels were significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls,but there were no significant difference in the prevalence of IFG and low HDL levels. The prevalence of high TG and high Chol level were significantly higher in obese PCOS women in comparison with non obese patients.There was no significant difference in the prevalence of high LDL and low HDL levels between obese and nonobese patients. Serum level of total Testostrone was significantly higher in PCOS women in comparison with controls.There were no significant difference in serum levels of DHEA-S,17-OH Progestrone, Prolactine and TSH between patients and controls. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia were higher in PCOS women in comparison with healthy women. For obese women with PCOS ,behevioral weight management is the main component of overall treatment strategy and these patients counseling about the importance of life style management ,diet and exercise shoud be emphasized. The patients should screened for dyslipidemia, diabetes and hypertension. In this study there was no significant difference in FBS between two groups and IGT and DM may be better detected by OGTT. In all PCOS women for detecting dyslipidemia a fasting lipid profile is indicated

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Background: Leptin is an adipocyte- derived hormone that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Insulin resistance is one of the factors which have been suggested to affect leptin serum levels. There are few studies evaluating the relation between leptin level and insulin resistance in childhood and adolescence obesity. The aim of the present study is to investigate this relationship in Iranian obese children. Methods: We screened 13089 primary school students aged 7-12 years. Children were divided to overweight and normal based on the recently published National Center for Health Statistics growth charts. The number of children which were overweight was 498, of whom 347 subjects particiated in the study. Fasting blood glucose, insulin and leptin levels were measured and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGIR) were calculated and compared between two groups. Results: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in overweight compared to normal group. (11.58±8.1 and 8.1±5.2 respectively p<0.05). Before adjustment for BMI, there was a significant correlation between leptin and fasting insulin, HOMA –IR index and FGIR. (r=0.1, p< 0.05, r=0.1 , p<0.01, r=0.07, p<0.05 respectively). After adjustment for BMI, no significant correlation was found (r=0.097, p=0.20). Conclusion: The relation between leptin and insulin resistance was weak and disappeared after adjustment for BMI. It seems that many other factors including BMI and total fat amount may affect this relationship. Further studies in this field are required.

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Leptin is a 16-kD protein which is secreted from white adipocytes and, its discovery has generated enormous interest in the regulation of energy balance. Leptin has been implicated in the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure, and whole-body energy balance in animals and human. Plasma leptin levels correlate with fat storages and respond to changes in energy balance. It was initially proposed that leptin serves a primary role as an anti-obesity hormone, but this role is commonly thwarted by leptin resistance. The profound effects of leptin on regulating body energy balance, make it as a prime candidate for drug therapies of obesity in humans and animals. Despite the recent achievements in unearthing the role of leptin in the pathophysiology of obesity, many important questions still remained that must be responded. More studies with follow-up designs and genetic evaluations are warranted to understand the comprehensive role of leptin in human. In this letter we have a review of known effects of leptin on human obesity up to now.

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Background: All contemporary methods of insulin administration are non-physiological. Insulin is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract because of its peptide nature. The aim of the present study was to examine the absorption of oral insulin from gastrointestinal tract, using novel oral formulation- adding a delivery agent superporouse hydrogel (SPH) and SPH composite (SPHC) in combination with insulin.
Methods: Capsules containing insulin and SPH &SPHC were administered orally, to 15 non-diabetic subjects in order to assess its biological effects and safety. Plasma glucose, insulin and c – peptide serum levels were determined, at timed intervals up to 4 h.
Results: In the present study, we showed that AUC of exogenous insulin in polymer -insulin group was higher than sub-cutaneous regular insulin group. It means that addition of SPHC polymer caused increase in insulin absorbtion.In addition, Insulin Tmax in polymer group was longer than sub-cotaneaus insulin group. Blood glucose AUC in sub-cotaneaus group was higher than polymer group.AUC C-peptide serum level in polymer group was higher than sub-cutaneous group.
Conclusions: Insulin in combination with a novel delivery agent, SPH and SPHC, given orally is absorbed through the GI tract in a biologically active form. This was demonstrated by suppression of endogenous insulin secretion.

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Background: Mitochondria is one of the intracellular organelle with specific DNA. Some diseases caused by mtDNA mutations have been reported up to now. Mutation of A3243G and deletion of 5kb are two of them that related to Diabetes type II. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of A3243G mutation and 5kb mt DNA deletion in type II diabetic patients.
Methods: The DNA extracted from blood of 130 patients with diabetes type II. Serum insulin of the patients were also measured. Sequence assigning, PCR – RFLP and SSCP methods were used to detect the A3243G or other mutation in mitochondrial tRNA (leu) gene. Standard and multiplex PCR were used to detect 5kb deletion in patient’s mt DNA and were compared with 40 healthy persons.
Results :We couldn’t identify any deletion of 5kb or A3243G point mutation in our patients but SSCP results showed new pattern of PCR Product in patients. An “A” nucleotide deletion in A 3314 position was detected in mitochondrial ND1 gene in 6 patients. So far this point deletion has not been reported.
Conclusion: Identification of the mitochondrial gene mutations helps to preclinical diagnosis of diabetes type 2. More research is necessary in this field.

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Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the chronic metabolic diseases with several organ damages that dearese life span. Prevalence of known diabetes appears to be increasing in most countries, presumably due to increasing the prevalence of risk factors such as obesity, lower physical activity and improved diagnosis. WHO expect the number of adults (20 years and older) with diabetes rises up to 300 millions in 2025. In view of the worldwide geographic differences in diabetes and lack of documented informations about prevalence of diabetes in Iran, we assigned this study.
Methods: The base of our study for assessment of prevalence of diabetes in Iran was results of ״Health and Disease Study in Iran, 1999״. We used epidemiologic model (DisMod) for estimating the incidence of diabetes in Iran. Results: The prevalence of diabetes in over 20 years of Iranian population in 2000, was 1.6 million or 4.67%. Also it is estimated up to 100000 persons have been affected by type II diabetes.
Conclusion: The true limitation of our study was limitations of documents about estimated of proportion of true prevalence to prevalence of known diabetes.

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Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease in which T-cell mediated selective pancreatic β- cell destruction occurs. Half the risk of T1DM development is given by the HLA gene region while the remaining risk is assigned to non-HLA genes , probably those engaged in the formation of antigen interaction complex. The CD4 gene product, which is among the most prominent T-cell surface receptors with a key role in antigen processing, could be regarded as a strong candidate.
Methods: We investigated the possible association of the CD4 gene polymorphism with T1DM using the candidate gene approach. The pyrimidine- rich pentanucleotide repeat polymorphism residing in the promoter region of the CD4 gene was studied. In the present study 92 Iranian T1DM patients and 108 healthy matched control individuals were screened by PCR technique.
Results: The analysis of our results shows the protective association of CD4*A3 (RR= 0.159, 95% CI: 0.036-0.707 Pc=0.025) and the susceptible role of CD4*A5 (RR= 7.379, 95% CI: 1.630-33.414 Pc=0.010) with T1DM. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the certain CD4 alleles are associated either negatively or positively with T1DM in the Iranian population.

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Background: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a reported 3% to 65% risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study aims to identify the factors in GDM patients which can predict the risk of postpartum impaired glucose tolerance (T2DM+IGT) and T2DM.
Methods: A cohort study was conducted on 2416 pregnant women referred to five university hospital clinics. The universal screening was performed with a GCT- 50g and those with plasma glucose level  130mg/dl, were diagnosed as GDM if they had an impaired GTT-100g based on Carpenter and Coustan criteria. All pregnancies were followed until delivery. Available GDM patients underwent an OGTT-75gr within 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. Postpartum diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to ADA criteria.
Results: Such factors as FBS105 during pregnancy, insulin requirement during pregnancy and BMI≥27kg/m2 before pregnancy were more prevalent in postpartum diabetic patients as compared with normal controls, significantly. Multivariate analysis suggested that gestational requirement for insulin and BMI≥27kg/m2 were the best predictors for developing postpartum diabetes. Also history of abortion, gestational requirement for insulin and BMI≥27kg/m2 were the best predictors for postpartum IGT.
Conclusion: Women with GDM have a substantially increased risk of developing postpartum IGT or diabetes. High glucose levels, insulin requirement during pregnancy, history of abortion and BMI≥27kg/m2 are the best predictors for postpartum diabetes and IGT.

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Background: Foot complications are among the important problems of diabetic patients. Vascular and neurological involvements are two major causes for such complications.
Methods: We studied 142 diabetic outpatients referred to diabetes clinic of Dr.Shariati Hospital from Dec. 2003 to Sep. 2004. We performed different neurological and vascular tests to assess the diabetic foot and data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: 54.9% of the cases reached the symptom score of 5 and upper so they had neuropathy regarding the Michigan Neuropathy Disability Score (MNDS). By analyzing the overall symptom and sign scores, 61% had neuropathy. Regarding MNDS, 42.7% of the subjects were neuropathic. Finally 23.9% were unable to sense at least one point from 12 points of monofilament examination. 16.9% of the patients had the complaint of intermittent claudication, in 8.8% at least one of the peripheral pulses was not palpable, whereas 10.6% had some degree of PAD regarding to ABI and toe pressure.
Conclusion: Using a monofilament is the most reliable method for screening of the neuropathy in diabetic patients. On the other hand, relying on symptoms like intermittent claudication and physical examination in order to find peripheral arterial disease in diabetic patients may lead to miss many cases, thus, performing some more precise diagnostic tests, such as ABI and toe pressure are highly recommended and reliable.

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Background: Homocysteine is one of the novel cardiovascular risk factors. We know most of the cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors are accompanied. The aim of this study was to determine the role of homocysteine in diabetes.
Methods: The study was performed in 25-64 year old individuals of the 17th district of Tehran according to WHO MONICA project. Homocysteine levels higher than 15 µmol/l was considered as abnormal. According to ADA 2004 criteria, fasting glucose levels of 100 to 125 mg/dl were considered as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), while levels higher than 125 mg/dl included diabetes.
Results: Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 54.5% in the whole population. Prevalence of IGT and diabetes were 3.5% and 10.1%, respectively. There was no difference between prevalence of IGT and diabetes in both hyperhomocysteinemic and normal group (P= 0.365). The difference was also not significant in each genders, but mean glucose levels were significantly lower in people with hyperhomocysteinemia (P= 0.003).
Conclusion: This study emphasizes that an inverse relation between glucose and homocysteine levels. Some studies indicate an opposite result and there is controversy on it. More researches may determine the exact role of homocysteine in diabetes.

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Background: "Informed consent" is one of the most important issues in the medical ethics . Different points of view have proposed different opinions about it. In this Paper, we have reviewed different opinions and explained "Informed consent" based on Islamic view in Iran. In this article , we offered a review of the history, past studies and the components of the Informed consent and proposed a justifiable approach to the informed consent in treatment process .
Methods: This paper was prepared after searching related researches, papers, guidelines and books and consulting with experts.
Conclusion: A suitable interaction and transparency in treatment process between practitioner and patient has an important effect on patient's trust and increases the cooperation with the medical team and improves the results of the treatment. By evaluating the condition, using suggested criteria in three levels of knowledge, attitude and practice in health care centers, and measuring possible differences between them (KAP gap) we would be able to design a suitable program for educational and management intervention, aimed to removing the recognized problems.

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Background: The determination of insulin receptors on RBC membrane is a suitable tool for the study of these receptors in diabetes and its related complications. The common methods for the study is the biopsy of fat or muscular tissues, cell culture or a preparation of certain amount of monocytes which is associated with some difficulties. Present study utilizes RBC's for this purpose.
Methods: Certain amount of RBCs were exposed to a known amount of labeled Insulin and varying concentration of unlabelled Insulin. The competitive effect of Insulin replacement was determined by the measurement of residual receptor radioactivity. This study was carried out in three groups of healthy, poor controlled and good controlled diabetics.
Results: There were significant differences between the normal and poor controlled diabetics (P=0.017). In addition differences in receptor binding was obtained between good controlled diabetics and normal which were not significant (P=0.09). All changes were inversely proportional to the HbA1C of specimen. Using Scat chard plots the number of receptors in each group, normal, poor controlled and good controlled were determined to be 1820 (± 72.8), 1026 (±40.4) and 1230 (± 49.2) respectively.
Conclusion: Considering the above results, it could be seen that the evaluation of the number of receptors in RBC could be a suitable tool for studying the state of insulin receptor in both physiological and pathological conditions.

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Background: Lipoprotein abnormalities have been identified among the several risk factors that could account for increases the risk of CVD in diabetes. Abnormal status of B-group and antioxidant vitamins in diabetes may illustrate the benefits of these vitamins supplementation on modification of lipid profiles.
Methods: As a randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial, 110 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to one of the five treatment groups and received one of the following supplements per day for a period of 2 months: 1) B-group vitamins including B2 (10 mg), B6 (10mg), B12 (200µg) and Folate (1000µg) 2) B-group vitamins and vitamin E (100mg) 3) B-group vitamins and vitamin C (200mg) 4) B-group vitamins, vitamins E (100mg) and C (200mg) and 5) placebo. Fasting blood samples at the beginning and at the end of 2 months trial were collected and analyzed for cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoproteins A1 and B (apo A1 & B), vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12 in serum and vitamin C in whole blood. Differences in baselines models. Covariates and changes in variables during study were adjusted by analysis of covariance using general linear.
Results: No significant changes were found in mean serum apolipoproteins levels after 2 months of supplementation. Vitamin E variation showed significant positive correlation with variation in apo A1 (P=0.003) and apo B (P<0.001). In multiple regression analysis, serum vitamin E levels were an independent and important predictor of serum apoA1 and B levels (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). Serum vitamin B12 variation was important predictor of serum apo B levels (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Serum vitamin E level is a good predictor of serum apo A1 and B levels. Further increases in dose of vitamin supplements and intervention period are recommended for obtaining the desirable modifications.

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Background: Since by considering increases worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and its management in the short and long–term requires significant expenditure on the part of patients and healthcare providers alike, and on the other hand existing resources fall short of the country's needs in this domain, diabetes has become one of the major health priorities in our country, as it has across the globe. Assessment of injuries due to diabetes mellitus and complications are divided to two sections: 1– economic cost of diabetes mellitus and 2 – burden of diabetes mellitus. In this study we assessed burden of diabetes mellitus and complications in Iran in year 2000.
Methods: We used ten years ago studies about prevalence of diabetes and complications in Iran, associated DALYs index by helping computer model (DisMod) for assessment of burden of diabetes and complications in Iran in year 2000.
Results: Burden of diabetes in Iran was 306440 years in year 2000. Burden of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot and lower limb amputation were 20532, 20532, 33286, 5848 and 1573 years, respectively.
Conclusion: Pay attention to this study, we will need to reduce diabetes's burden by setting serious programs about prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and complications. Thus, we suggest, other studies are planning for assessment of burden of other diseases. Then after comparing burden of diabetes to other diseases, government politicians are performance priorities setting for using of our country resource.

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Background: Metformin is usually using for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug is the first line for obese patients without renal or liver failure. Different pharmaceutical types of Metformin are available. As a clinical trial, we compared effects of Aria Metformin (product of Aria pharmaceutical company, Iran) with Merck Metformin or Glucophage (product of Merck pharmaceutical company, France), in diabetic patients.
Methods: This double blind randomized clinical trial study performed with 60 non- pregnant diabetic patients, in order to comparison of therapeutic effects of combination therapy (Glibenclamide + Metformin "Aria or Merck") in a 12 weeks period. We evaluated FBS, BS 2hpp, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver function tests, weight, BMI and common or uncommon side effects.
Results: Not only each of two pharmaceutical types of Metformin had the same therapeutic effects for controlling of glycemia, lipid profile and weight, but also there were not difference between them in side effects. Distention was the most common side effects of two types products (33%). There is not significant difference between them in common side effects. 70% of patients were satisfied with each two kinds of Metformin.
Conclusion: It seems, in view of beneficial therapeutic effects of Aria Metformin, low rate of side effects, and finally low cost, Aria Metformin is a good choice.

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Background: It is well recognized that an increased body weight is often associated with increased blood pressure. Moreover, leptin an adipocyte-derived hormone is strongly suggested to have an important role in pathogenesis of the obesity. We aimed to evaluate the levels of serum leptin in association with obesity and hypertension in a sample of Iranian obese children.
Methods: Children from all the primary schools of a distinct of Tehran were screened for obesity. Children with a waist circumference equal to or above 90th percentile for their age and height were invited for the study. Anthropometric measurements were done and blood samples for fasting serum leptin levels were collected from 563 enrolled obese children. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate relationship of various factors with obesity.
Results: Mean Serum leptin levels were 8.65 ±2.18 (ng/ml). Serum Leptin levels were higher in girls than boys (P=0.009). There were significant correlations between body mass index (BMI) and serum Leptin levels, child age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure lost their association with serum Leptin level in multivariate linear regression analysis.
Conclusion: BMI is independently associated with Leptin levels among obese children. This may affirm a role for this hormone in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity. It seems unlikely that plasma Leptin be a major mediator of association between obesity and hypertension. However, severe hyperleptinemia may act as a risk factor for increased blood pressure.