Leptin as a Potential Marker for Autoimmune Hypothyroidism Predisposition in Euthyroid Males: A Study of Anti-TPO Antibodies

: Leptin is a peptide hormone that is secreted by adipose tissue and bears structural similarities with proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. On the other hand. Hashimoto thyroiditis is an autoimmune illness characterized by the destruction of thyroid cells by immunological processes involving both cells and antibodies. Aim of study: The current study aims to investigate whether the proinflammatory action of serum leptin has a role in the early pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis by elevating anti-TPO antibodies. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study that included 120 participants comprised equal proportions of males and females (n = 60 per group) further stratified by BMI status (30 with BMI ≥ 30 and 30 with BMI<30 within each gender category). Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that serum leptin was significantly correlated with anti-TPO antibodies in both obese and non-obese males, whereas no such correlation was detected among females. Conclusion: This study has found that serum leptin is associated with increased levels of anti-TPO antibodies among obese and non-obese euthyroid males, which may reflect an underlying potential to develop subsequent autoimmune hypothyroidism