Professional Med J 2017;24(10):1550-1555. www.theprofesional.com ATHEROSCLEROSIS 1550 The Professional Medical Journal www.theprofesional.com ATHEROSCLEROSIS; ASSOCIATION OF ADIPONECTIN/LEPTIN RATIO TO INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS IN LOCAL POPULATION Kausar Abbas Saldera 1 , Sanum Ali 2 , Ahsan Ashfaq 3 ORIGINAL PROF-4044 ABSTRACT… Objectives: To compare the adiponectin/leptin ratio and intima media thickness between normal and atherosclerotic individuals. To fnd out the association of A/L ratio with IMT in atherosclerotic patients. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at department of Physiology, BMSI in collaboration with Radiology department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, from 16th December 2014 to 15th December 2015. Methodology: 160 subjects having Doppler ultrasound of neck were selected on the basis of pre-determined criteria. They were grouped in cases i.e. atherosclerotic group (80 subjects) and control i.e. healthy group (80 subjects). Age > 20 years, both genders, patients for ultrasound Doppler for neck region irrespective of their provisional diagnosis, patients suffering from co-morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, asthma and COPD and Healthy individuals (Controls) were included in this study. Patients who fail to gave consent and patients whose ultrasound fndings were not up to the mark required for diagnosis were excluded from this study. Results: Out of 160 patients in this study in control Male: Female ratio was 1:1.1 while in cases, Male: Female ratio = 1:1. Majority (53.1%) of cases had age >50 years {41(51.25%) in controls and 44(55%) in cases}. Mean ages in two groups (controls and cases) were 49.39+12.30 years and 53.31+10.09 years respectively (p = 0.029).44 (22.5%) patients were smoker and 116 (72.5%) were non-smoker. In control group, 13 (16.3%) were smokers whereas in cases 31 (38.8%) were smokers (p = 0.002). Mean triglyceride levels were statistically high in atherosclerotic subjects as compared to healthy individuals (138.31+62.65 mg/dl and 125.73+46.17 mg/dl respectively; p=0.024). Mean IMT of both right and left carotid arteries examined via carotid Doppler ultrasound were statistically high in atherosclerotic individuals as compared to healthy subjects {(Right carotid; 0.83+0.23 mm and 0.63+0.16 mm respectively; p=0.022) (Left carotid; 0.85+0.25 mm and 0.64+0.16 mm respectively; p=0.004)}. Mean Leptin levels were statistically high in atherosclerotic individuals as compared to healthy subjects (332.32+555.31 ng/ml and 254.55+224.66 ng/ml respectively; p=0.001). However, the difference in Adiponectin levels was insignifcant (7.93+4.80 µg/ml and 9.45+4.73 µg/ml respectively; p=0.343). Conclusion: We conclude that plasma levels of Adiponectin and Leptin are signifcantly higher in atherosclerotic than normal individuals. Key words: Adiponectin, Leptin, Atherosclerosis, Adiponectin / Leptin ratio. 1. MBBS, M. Phil (Physiology) Assistant Professor Physiology Basic Medical Sciences Institute (JPMC) Karachi. 2. MBBS, M. Phil (Anatomy) Assistant Professor Anatomy Basic Medical Sciences Institute (JPMC) Karachi. 3. MBBS, M. Phil (Physiology) Assistant Professor Physiology Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College Karachi. Correspondence Address: Dr. Kausar Abbas Saldera Assistant Professor Physiology Basic Medical Sciences Institute (JPMC) Karachi. drkausarsaldera@gmail.com Article received on: 12/05/2017 Accepted for publication: 15/08/2017 Received after proof reading: 06/10/2017 Article Citation: Saldera KA, Ali S, Ashfaq A. Atherosclerosis; association of adiponectin/ leptin ratio to intima media thickness in local population. Professional Med J 2017;24(10):1550-1555. DOI:10.17957/TPMJ/17.4044 INTRODUCTION Atherosclerosis, a chronic infammatory disease process of complex etiology, consist of gradual progress over the period of time start from the development of endothelial injury to the fbrous cap and thrombus formation in the advance plaque. 1 The exact cause of atherosclerosis is not known. Major risk factors include unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and diabetes etc. 2 Emerging risk factors include low C reactive proteins (CRP) levels and sleep apnea etc. Key process in the development of atherosclerosis is low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and accumulation in vascular cells, promoting foam cell formation as well as increased secretion of mediators of infammation. The infammatory state, in turn can induce oxidative stress by enhancing the production of reactive oxygen species in the vascular wall. 3 Leptin is a 167-amino acid circulating protein mainly produced by white adipose tissue and DOI: 10.17957/TPMJ/17.4044