Abstract
[Excerpt] Obesity is often associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular complications. Over the years there has been an increase in young adults that have been faced with this disease. Many factors can contribute to cardiovascular complications, but the adipose tissue regulation of the hormone leptin has become a focus of recent interest. Looking at this specifically, in combination with salivary biomarkers, attempts to explain a possible role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in metabolic syndrome and hypertension. Further, changes in salivary composition, such as increased protein content, have been noted with increased sympathetic activation.