Serum kisspeptin is higher in hypertensive than non-hypertensive female subjects and positively correlated with systolic blood pressure.

Background: Kisspeptin has a major role in reproductive regulation. Furthermore, it is also involved in metabolic and cardiovascular regulation as well as is a potent vasoconstrictor. This study aimed to: 1) determine correlations between serum kisspeptin levels with obesity/metabolic parameters; 2) compare parameters between non-hypertensive ([non-HT] N.=15) and hypertensive ([HT] N.=15) female subjects; and 3) determine correlations between leptin, systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with obesity and metabolic factors.

Methods: Clinical parameters and fasting blood and adipose tissue samples were collected from women undergoing open abdominal surgery.

Results: Serum kisspeptin was not correlated with obesity parameters but was positively correlated with only SBP (P<0.05). Serum kisspeptin, SBP, DBP, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, plasma glucose, plasma insulin, the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and height of visceral adipocytes (VA) were higher but the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) was lower in hypertensive compared to non-hypertensive female subjects (P<0.05). Leptin was positively correlated with obesity and metabolic paramters including area, width, and perimeter of subcutaneous adipocytes, and area, width, height, and perimeter of VA (P<0.05) but was negatively correlated the QUICKI (P<0.001). SBP had positive correlations with insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, and kisspeptin, but had a negative correlation with QUICKI (P<0.05). DBP had positive correlations with body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, and width of VA (P<0.05), but had a negative correlation with the QUICKI (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Kisspeptin, obesity especially visceral adiposity, and insulin resistance might contribute to increased blood pressure. Further studies are required to reveal the underlying mechanism of kisspeptin on metabolic and cardiovascular regulation.