LEP and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: Nevertheless, obesity can be regarded as an independent risk factor in the progression of CKD since it is believed to be associated with glomerular hyperfiltration, aberrant expression of certain adipokines, e.g., leptin and adiponectin, insulin resistance, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), increased cellular oxidant stress and synthesis of molecules involved in the process of fibrosis, i.e., extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins [5,6].