Toritsemose Emiko
Cell Biology Lab
Dr. Jeffrey Handy
Introduction
Leptin is a hormone in the body produced by tissues or glands specifically fat(adipose) cells.
Otherwise known as the satiety hormone, Leptin is responsible for sending signals to the body
and brain, regulating energy levels by inhibiting hunger via the central nervous system.
Retrospectively, in theory more adipose tissue would mean an increase in produced leptin
leading to a longer state of satisfaction thus less food is consumed, and adipose tissue reduces.
In actuality, the abnormal rate of leptin secretion pushes its receptors to become frugal in
accepting/binding the hormone.
Leptin induces the production of cytokines TNF- and IL-6 by macrophages which induces
inflammation and is responsible for various cell signaling events e.g. apoptosis. Increase in
availability of free Leptin in the body increases regulation of these cytokines and increases the
risk of obese related cancers. Leptin is also found in other tissues e.g., gastrointestinal tract, the
brain, heart, lungs, muscle etc.