Correlation Between Serum Adipokines (Leptin, Adiponectin) and Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53350/Annalspakmed.1.9.9Keywords:
Metabolic syndrome, leptin, adiponectin, heart rate variability, cardiac autonomic dysfunction, sympathetic dominance, Pakistan, adipokines, cardiovascular risk.Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is becoming a common problem in South Asia and a condition connected to premature cardiovascular dysfunction. Hormones secreted by the adipose tissue especially leptin and adiponectin are important in metabolism and inflammation. Their role in the cardiac autonomic dysfunction assessed by the heart rate variability (HRV) is poorly examined in Pakistani populations. Knowledge of this association can be used to predict early cardiovascular risks.
Objectives: This paper attempted to determine the relationship between adipokine (leptin and adiponectin) levels in serum and cardiac autonomic dysfunction in MetS patients. Other aims were profiling adipokine concentration and evaluation of HRV changes in relation to metabolic syndrome.
Methods: The study was carried out at tertiary care hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan, between January 2024 and January 2025 in the form of a cross-sectional study. NCEP-ATP III requirement of the MetS was met in 90 adults of both sexes (3060 years). ELISA was used to analyze fasting blood samples in terms of serum leptin and adiponectin levels. The 5-minute HRV analysis that included SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio was used to measure cardiac autonomic functioning. Pearson analysis was used to determine the correlations, and multivariate regression was done to determine the independent predictors of autonomic imbalance.
Results: The level of leptin and adiponectin in the participants was greatly increased and lowered respectively. The indices of HRV showed strong autonomic dysfunction, where parasympathetic activity (low RMSSD and HF) and sympathetic dominance (high LF/HF ratio) were decreased. Leptin had negative relation with RMSSD and HF and a positive relation with LF/HF and adiponectin showed the reverse. The two adipokines were both independent predictors of HRV abnormalities, which are adjusted by metabolic confounders.
Conclusion: Adipokine imbalance that involves elevated leptin levels and decreased adiponectin levels is closely linked with cardiac autonomic dysfunction in MetS. These biomarkers can be used as precocious signs of heart risk among Pakistani adults with metabolic syndrome.
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