Background: Leptin, an adipocytokine was found to be associated with essential hypertension in several
studies and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BChE) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes acetylcholine in plasma. Recent
studies link between BChE and cardiovascular risk factors. Objectives: The aim of the present investigation
was to study the relationship between serum leptin level and BChE enzyme activity in essential hypertension
patients and correlate their levels to some cardiovascular risk factors (total cholesterol, triglyceride and BMI).
Results: Both serum leptin level and BChE enzyme activity were elevated in essential hypertension patients
compared to the controls (P < 0.001). There were positive relations between serum leptin and BMI, mean arterial blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and BChE enzyme activity (r = 0.691, r = 0.436, r = 0.522
r = 0.588 and r = 0.681 respectively) and between BChE enzyme activity and total cholesterol and triglyceride (r
= 0.591 and r = 0.77 respectively) in essential hypertension patients. Conclusion: Serum leptin level and BChE enzyme activity were elevated and positively associated with each other and with BMI, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in essential hypertension patients.