Abstract 300: Leptin Promotes the Osteoblast Differentiation and Mineralization of Primary Cultures of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Regulating GSK-3β

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) although the precise molecular mechanisms that link obesity to CVD are not understood. Recent studies suggest that factors secreted by adipose tissue may play an adverse role in cardiovascular health. We have previously demonstrated that the adipocytokine, leptin, promotes vascular calcification in apolipoprotein E - deficient mice and that this increase in calcification is …