Hyperleptinemia positively correlated with metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and fasting serum leptin concentration in renal transplant recipients. Patients and methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 55 renal transplant recipients. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Results: Thirteen patients (23.6%) had metabolic syndrome. Fasting leptin concentrations were positively correlated with metabolic syndrome (p = 0.003). Univariate linear regression analysis indicated fasting serum leptin values were positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.284; p = 0.036), body mass index (r = 0.358; p = 0.007), body fat mass (r = 0.610; p < 0.001), triglycerides (r = 0.268; p = 0.048), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r = 0.377; p = 0.005), triceps skinfold (r = 0.335; p = 0.012), and mid-arm fat area (r = 0.351; p = 0.009). Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables revealed that body fat mass (R² change = 0.373; p < 0.001) and hs-CRP (R² change = 0.045; p = 0.049) were the independent predictors of fasting serum leptin concentration. Conclusion: Serum leptin concentration correlates positively with metabolic syndrome in renal transplant recipients.