Human Leptin Analyte Overview

Leptin is a hormone released by adipocytes that regulates energy balance through the control of hunger signals. It mediates metabolism and the use of stored fat deposits by through interactions with cytokine receptors in the central nervous system. Leptin levels are positively correlated with total body fat, and in the healthy individual provides a signal to the brain that indicates the body’s current nutritional status and available energy reserves. Impairment of the function of leptin or its receptor will lead to uncontrollable food intake and often results in obesity. Obese individuals frequently show reduced responsiveness to leptin. During a state of fasting, circulating plasma levels of leptin are significantly decreased, indicating it may be a critical regulator of obesity when accompanied by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. During early development, leptin is also associated with blood vessel formation and fetal lung growth. Low circulating leptin is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, anorexia, and depression. Chronically elevated leptin levels are associated with obesity, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and inflammation. In conjunction, leptin and adiponectin have additive effects on weight reduction.