Does leptin cause vascular disease?

To conclude, the study by Singhal and colleagues reveals that elevated levels of leptin (often observed in overweight individuals) are associated with increased vascular stiffness. To strengthen a causal link between leptin and vascular stiffness, it will be important to determine the mechanism by which leptin impairs vascular compliance and to determine if nutritional or pharmacological interventions to reduce leptin levels and/or reduce leptin resistance can improve vascular compliance in these individuals. Nevertheless, Singhal and colleagues have added to our understanding of the association between leptin and cardiovascular disease. Perhaps more importantly, the study represents yet another harbinger of the epidemic to come, as widespread childhood obesity gives rise to an unwelcome epidemic of cardiovascular disease in this generation.