Correlation Studies between Leptin, Glucose and Insulin in Pre and Postmenopausal Saudi

Leptin act as a regulator of cellular energy metabolism but its role in lipid metabolism in humans is still unclear. Relation between leptin and plasma lipids in Saudi females was evaluated in this study. 126 females with age ranging from 18 to 75 years were recruited and grouped into premenopausal and postmenopausal females and then in lean, normal weight, overweight, and obese on the basis of their BMI values. The serum samples were assessed for Leptin, Cholesterol, triglycerides, High-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), Low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), insulin and glucose. Significant increase in glucose, triglycerides and leptin was associated with increase weight. Insulin level was found to be significantly highest in overweight group. Cholesterol, LDL-C was found to increase with increase weight while HDL-C was decreased with increased weight. Leptin, triglycerides and glucose were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the postmenopausal females as compared to the premenopausal group. Remarkable increase of cholesterol and glucose was found in postmenopausal female while HDL-C, LDL-C and insulin were slightly decreased in postmenopausal females. High serum leptin levels can act as the risk factor for diabetes in obese and postmenopausal female. Regular monitoring of total leptin at pre-menopause stage could help in managing some life-threatening condition related to obesity in old age.