Increased levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., leptin), and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., adiponectin) 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, and some types of cancer [42]. This evidence concerns the gene LEP and atherosclerosis.