Increased levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., leptin) (Figure 3), and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., adiponectin) (Figure 3), in obesity may produce a chronic state of low-grade inflammation and promote the development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as some types of cancer [42]. Here, LEP is linked to atherosclerosis.