Several studies have already indicated that obesity is associated with the impairment of endothelial function (Hashimoto et al., 1998; de Jongh et al., 2004; Anderson, 2007; Yeboah et al., 2007), and that an inflammatory state associated with the release of a variety of cytokines and cytokine-like substances, such as leptin and resistin, is among the mechanisms that underlie the resultant microvascular dysfunction (Singer and Granger, 2007). The gene discussed is LEP; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.