Leptin Levels in the Hypertensive Black African Parturient

Background: Leptin is a new adipose-derived hormone discovered in 1994. It is vital in energy balance and weight regulation in humans. During pregnancy the placenta is an extra source of leptin. The role of leptin in pregnancy is not established. This has generated a lot of interest in leptin research in pregnancy. Leptin is being examined in pathological states that may have origin in adipose tissue and the placenta such as pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and obesity. Aim and Method: This study measured concentrations of serum leptin in Black African women during late pregnancy in 68 women with pre-eclampsia, 92 healthy normotensive pregnant women and in 32 healthy non-pregnant women. In each group leptin levels were compared between obese (body mass index, BMI = or > than 30 kgm-) and lean women. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique. Results: Serum leptin levels were higher in pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women (26.66+1-16.13 ng/ml, 25.89+/-15.83 ng/ml vs 17.97+/-11.98 ng/ml, p=0.02). This is due to firstly, th~ e.<t:a fat accumulated as part of the maternal adaptation to pregnancy and secondlv, to the placenta-derived leptin. Other pregnancy hormones such as insulin, hcG, prolactin and oestrogen may modulate the serum levels of leptin in pregnancy. Simple anthr.0pometric parameters (weight, BMI, circumferences of the mid upper arm (MAC), waist (WC), hip (HC), and thigh (TC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR)) were used to explore tbe relationship between leptin concentrations and obesity. All the parameters