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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
REVIEW

Leptin in reproduction and hypertension in pregnancy

Harbindarjeet Singh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0805-0614 A * , Fayez A. Almabhouh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8119-3531 A B , Hisham S. Ibrahim Alshaikhli https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8413-7060 C , Maryam Jameelah Md Hassan A , Suzanna Daud A , Rosfayati Othman D and Muhd Fakh Rur Razi Md Salleh D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Sg Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.

B Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine.

C Department of Pre-Clinical Affair, College of Nursing, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

D Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia.

* Correspondence to: hjsingh@uitm.edu.my

Handling Editor: Ellen Menkhorst

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 36, RD24060 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD24060
Submitted: 18 April 2024  Accepted: 27 June 2024  Published online: 22 July 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Leptin has important roles in numerous physiological functions, including those in the regulation of energy balance, and in immune and reproductive systems. However, in the recent years, evidence has implicated it in a number of obesity-related diseases, where its concentrations in serum are significantly elevated. Elevated serum leptin concentrations and increased placental leptin secretion have been reported in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Whether leptin is responsible for this disorder remains to be established. Leptin injections in healthy rats and mice during pregnancy result in endothelial activation, increased blood pressure and proteinuria. A potential role for leptin in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia is hypothesised, particularly in women who are overweight or obese where serum leptin concentrations are often elevated. This review summarises pertinent information in the literature on the role of leptin in puberty, pregnancy, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In particular, the possible mechanism that may be involved in leptin-induced increase in blood pressure and proteinuria during pregnancy and the potential role of marinobufagenin in this disease entity. We hypothesise a significant role for oxidative stress in this, and propose a conceptual framework on the events that lead to endothelial activation, raised blood pressure and proteinuria following leptin administration.

Keywords: ACE2, blood pressure, leptin, marinobufagenin, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy, proteinuria, puberty.

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