LEP and endothelial dysfunction: Adipose tissue is considered not only a passive organ that stores energy, but a paracrine and endocrine organ that releases several active substances, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adipsin, angiotensinogen, adiponectin, resistin and leptin, which may contribute to endothelial dysfunction (Frühbeck et al., 2001).