Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death globally. Early identification
of individuals at elevated risk is essential for improving preventive measures and
patient outcomes. Biomarkers like Galectin-1, leptin, and adiponectin are known to
play roles in metabolic processes, with a low adiponectin/leptin ratio indicating
a heightened cardiometabolic risk. However, the association between Galectin-1, leptin,
adiponectin, and the adiponectin/leptin ratio with CVD risk scores is not well understood.
This study aims to assess these markers’ correlation with CVD risk and their potential
utility as predictors. This cross-sectional study assessed 135 healthy adults through
questionnaires and blood pressure measurements. Each participant's cardiovascular
(CV) risk was estimated, with serum Galectin-1, adiponectin, and leptin levels measured.
Comparisons of adipokines levels between age-groups were conducted. The associations
between variables were assessed, and linear regression was applied with cardiovascular
risk score as the outcome. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. After excluding
fifteen individuals, 122 subjects (62 males, 60 females; mean age 43.8 years) were
included in the study. Leptin levels correlated positively with CV risk score and
LDL levels in younger individuals, while the adiponectin/leptin ratio showed a negative
correlation with LDL and CV risk scores across age groups. Smoking was a strong predictor
of CV risk in younger participants, whereas diabetes, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and leptin
were significant predictors in the middle-aged group (p < 0.05). Among measured adipokines,
leptin is as a key predictor of cardiovascular risk, alongside established factors
like smoking, diabetes, and cholesterol/HDL ratio.
