Can leptin, the "satiety hormone," play a significant role in hypertension? This study investigates the role of changes in adrenergic activity in mediating leptin's chronic cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic actions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to measure mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) during intravenous infusions of leptin, with or without adrenergic receptor antagonists. The findings indicate that leptin-induced increases in blood pressure and tachycardia are mediated by increased adrenergic activity. While leptin significantly reduced food intake and fasting plasma insulin in both control and adrenergic blockade rats, the chronic effects on insulin and glucose regulation appeared unaltered by adrenergic receptor blockade. These results support the concept that leptin may be an important link between obesity, increased sympathetic activity, and hypertension, offering insights into potential therapeutic interventions for related cardiovascular diseases.
Published in Hypertension, this paper contributes directly to the journal's focus on diseases of the circulatory system. The research investigates the role of leptin, a key factor in obesity, in the development of hypertension. By exploring the mechanisms involved in leptin-induced cardiovascular changes, the study enhances the journal’s contribution to understanding and potentially treating cardiovascular diseases.