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Leptin Body

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Obesity is a condition that is characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat. It is a complex health problem that occurs throughout the world and is caused by a multitude of factors, such as genetic predisposition and environmental factors (Campfield et al. 1996). Evidence from the scientific community strongly suggests that one factor that plays a key role in human obesity is leptin (Campfield et al. 1996).
Leptin (OB protein) is a peptide hormone that serves as a communication link between the brain and the fat tissue (Strosberg and Issad 1999; Campfield et al. 1996). It is secreted by the adipose tissue, circulates in the blood and then acts on the central nervous system, a system that regulates most functions of the body, including energy balance and feeding behaviours (Campfield et al. 1996). Leptin and its receptors are both important in the regulation of body weight through coordinated regulation of a person’s feeding behaviours, autonomic nervous system, body energy balance, and metabolism …show more content…

Cytokine signaling-3 is an intracellular protein that suppresses the actions of many different cytokine receptors. It can limit leptin signaling and is potentially one of the causes of leptin resistance (Coll et al. 2007). In a study conducted, it was observed that obese subjects who lost weight had decreased concentrations of leptin that would rise slightly once their lowered weight was maintained, suggesting that leptin tracks body fat during weight gain as well as weight loss (Campfield et al. 1996). This also suggests that in the presence of extended exposure to low leptin concentrations, the leptin pathway can be reset and allow for more sensitivity to leptin (Campfield et al.

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