THE ROLE OF LEPTIN IN THE REGULATION OF ENERGY BALANCE

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Sousa, M (Author) Other; Brás-Silva C (Author) FMUP; Leite-Moreira AF (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Acta Medica Portuguesa

Vol. 22 No. 3

Pages: 291-298

ISSN: 0870-399X

Publisher: Ordem dos Medicos

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-K5Q

Abstract (EN): As a growing number of people suffer from obesity, understanding the mechanisms by which various hormones and neurotransmitters have influence on energy balance has been the subject of intensive research. Recent experimental studies have implicated leptin as a crucial controller of body weight. Leptin is a 167-aminoacid peptide hormone, which is mainly produced by adipocytes, and its levels in the circulation are increased in proportion to fat mass. Circulating leptin conveys information to the hypothalamus regarding the amount of energy stored in adipose tissue, suppressing appetite and affecting energy expenditure. Considerable evidence shows that this hormone is also involved in the regulation of several physiological processes such as reproduction, angiogenesis, immunity, hematopoiesis and bone remodelling. Leptin acts through leptin receptors that are ubiquitously distributed and hence explain the pleiotropic roles of leptin. In the present review, we will summarize the recent developments in the leptin field, with particular attention to aspects related with physiological and molecular mechanisms regulating energy homeostasis, as well as their implications in the pathophysiology of weight disorders.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8