ABSTRACT:
Aim: The aim of the article is to do a literature review on the role of leptin in obesity. Objective: This review article deals with the role of leptin in obesity. Leptin is a hormone made by fat cells which regulates the amount of fat stored in the body. Background: Leptin is a 16- kilodalton adipocyte-derived hormone that circulates in the serum in the free and bound form. Serum levels of leptin reflect the amount of energy stored in adipose tissue. Short-term energy imbalance as well as serum levels of several cytokines and hormones influence circulating leptin levels. Leptin acts by binding to specific receptors in the hypothalamus to alter the expression of several neuropeptides that regulate neuroendocrine function and energy intake and expenditure. Thus, leptin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity and eating disorders and is thought to mediate the neuroendocrine response to food deprivation. Reason: The reason of the review is to highlight the role of leptin in obesity.