Abstract
Objectives: The role of various adipokines as a link between obesity and diabetes mellitus has recently been better elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of the leptin/adiponectin ratio (LAR) with insulin resistance in obese and diabetic Saudi females. Methods: This study included 373 Saudi females divided into two groups: type 2 diabetic (n=196) and normal control (n=177). The groups were further divided according to BMI into normal obese (n=85), normal non-obese (n=92), diabetic obese (n=118) and diabetic non-obese (n=78) subgroups. For all studied groups, levels of leptin, adiponectin, insulin and C-reactive protein were measured using (ELISAs). The glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels were determined using colorimetric assays, and the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-IR) was determined using a formula derived from fasting insulin and glucose levels. Results: The leptin levels were significantly higher and the adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the diabetic group compared to the normal control group (P value < 0.05). The LAR showed a significant positive correlation with the HOMA-IR (r=0.129, P=0.01) and a highly significant positive correlation with BMI, glucose, cholesterol, LDL and insulin (r=0.220, P=0.00; r=0.135, P=0.009; r=0.201, P=0.000; r=0.215, P=0.000; and r=0.212, P=0.000, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference among all subgroups for the LAR (F=20.60, P=0.00) and for the HOMA-IR (F=17.73, P=0.001). Conclusion: The LAR has the potential to become a new laboratory marker for insulin resistance in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. [Adel M. A. Assiri and Hala F. M. Kamel. Correlation of the Leptin-to-Adiponectin Ratio (LAR) with Insulin Resistance in Lean and Obese Saudi Females with Type 2 Diabetes. Life Sci J. 2012; 9(3): 1258-1265] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 180