Leptin in Obesity: An Example of altered Homeostasis

Abstract

The regulation of body weight is a very good example of homeostasis, that it follows the feedback regulatory loops. The adipocyte hormone, leptin (OB protein), is proposed to be an "adiposity signal" that acts in the brain to lower food intake, increase the energy expenditure and thus finally the adiposity. As plasma leptin levels are elevated in most overweight individuals, obesity may be associated with leptin resistance. The saturation capacity of leptin transport to reach its site of action i.e. hypothalamus might be one of the probable mechanism for leptin resistance. This review throws light on the mechanism of genesis of obesity with special interest on the role of leptin and its resistance as an important mechanism.