Leptin hormone is a protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating
energy intake and energy expenditure. This hormone is produced by adipose tissue and interacts with six types of receptor (LepRa–LepRf). Its main and interesting action includes the decrease of appetite and increase of metabolism (Zhao
et al.,2004). It is able to carry out this
function by binding to the Ventral Medial nucleus of the hypothalamus, known as the “satiety center” thereby enabling the brain to send signal that the body has had enough to eat (Schwartz et al.,2000).A very small group of humans, mostly arising from inbred populations, are mutant for the leptin gene. These people eat nearly constantly, and may be more than 45 kg (100 pounds) overweight by the age of 7 (Moynihan et al.,2006). Leptin also appears to be a significant regulator of reproductive function. This effect is partially due to its ability to enhance secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and thus leutenizing and follicle-stimulating
hormones from the anterior pituitary (Cherhab et al., 1997). Ever since 1994 when this “fat melting” hormone was discovered by Friedman and his colleagues,the hopes of millions of obese persons have being raised.
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