Renal effects of long-term leptin infusion and preventive role of losartan treatment in rats

Our results indicate that pathophysiological increases in plasma leptin concentrations cause enhanced renal Na, Cr and protein excretions, and high circulating ET-1 levels. Na and Cr excretions were decreased, while proteinuria and plasma ET-1 levels were normalized by losartan treatment, suggesting that renin-angiotensin system activation may have a role in leptin induced renal changes. TGF-β1 may have an important role in leptin induced nephropathy.