Leptin Therapy Case Studies

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide and its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate (Barness et al, 2007). For thousands of years obesity was rarely seen, it was not until the 20th century that it became common, some much so that in 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic (Caballero, 2007).

Genetic research of obesity was partly successful in establishing obesity in model organisms – rodents where obesity occurs spontaneously together with other pathological aspects (insulin resistance, …). The main cause of monogenic obesity in these model organisms are common mutations always present in only one gene. Results of research on model organisms allowed us to understand biological mechanisms of calorie intake and regulation and maintenance of body weight. The most important insight into obesity was achieved in 1994 after discovery of ob gene encoding for leptin. In two years period, using screening method, candidate homologous genes, selected on genetic study basis on mice, another five genes were identified. Mutations on these genes were found to be the cause of autosomal recessive or dominant monogenic obesity. Products of these genes are leptin and its receptor, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) and

Even despite electric shocks, they continued to eat until they became obese. When the researchers switched the obese rats’ diet to a healthy one, the rats refused to eat for almost two weeks. The rats that ate the fast food stopped responding to Leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger. As the rats became more obese, the amount of Leptin in their bodies indicated that the rats were on the brink of starvation; however, the rats continued to eat and become even more obese (Greviskes, 2013).

Obesity remains an extremely serious issue worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now dramatically increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continue to soar. CDC (2009) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According to NHANES over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (CDC, 2009). Treatment for this illness varies; it may include the incorporation of diet, exercise, behavior modification, medication, and surgery. Since there is no single cause of all overweight and obesity, there is no single way to prevent or treat overweight

In wild type mouse there is no effect on food intake, body weight and blood glucose though we give more leptin because here the leptin receptors are constant. But, in ob/ob mouse the food intake, body weight and blood glucose levels are decrease because the presence of leptin receptor. However, in the db/db mouse there is no effect due to the absence of the leptin

He stated that people this subject tends to strike a nerve with people because they tend defend their natural decision.That follows with the pros that line up with obesity being a disease, six pros as to why it’s a disease comes in 3 criterias: 1.Impairment of one’s normal life functions being able to physical move about.2.characteristics, breathing, and active levels as well energy.Mobidity. The human body organs can only take so much weight until the system starts to suffer and take an alternative to shut down. The second pro, as Dr.Nahmias spoke about is impairment of the body’s functions which have a breakdown of what takes place. The leptins become excessive which is body fat, now how one becomes obese is dominated from the excessive body fat this tissue than runs as overproduction of leptin which as control over the intake of one’s energy as well food it acts as our inside mediator but after the intake of food over passes due to lack of energy, abnormal regulations get out of balance that sums up obesity. Obesity as we know takes a toll on the body but joint wise puts are knees, hips and joints at risk due to the weight change. Another risk factor that can take place is sexual health for men and women, obesity lowers men’s sperm count and for women, it leads to infertility and miscarriages. To add on

The last decade has welcomed, with open arms, a new epidemic: obesity. Currently in the United States, more than one-third of adults, 35.7%, and approximately 17% of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is not only a problem in the US but also worldwide with its prevalence doubling in high income and economically advanced countries and is also growing in under-developed areas. Its incidence rate is continually increasing with each successive generation and in each age group, including the elderly (Byles, 2009; Dorner and Rieder, 2011).

There are a variety of public issues in the United States society today. Many people are facing some type of illness or disease, one we do not consider a major problem until just recently. Obesity is a disease/condition that many people in America are suffering from. Really obesity can be defined in many different ways; Mayo Clinic defines obesity as a “complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat” (Obesity, 2015). When a person is diagnosed having this disease/condition it can cause many health problems such as, diabetes, heart trouble, high and low blood pressure. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S adults are obese. (“Adult Obesity Facts,” 2015).

Obesity: one of the nation’s most critical health problems. “Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat” (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”). When energy input and output get out of balance, obesity arises. Many factors can cause someone to become obese such as genetics, metabolism, level of physical activity, and more. “Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors” (“CDC Features - Obesity & Genetics”). “When a person eats and drinks more calories than he or she burns, the energy balance tips toward weight gain, overweight, and obesity” (“Understanding Adult Overweight and Obesity”). Obesity is increasing throughout the United States due to lack of healthy behaviors, big health risk, genetics and increasing in children and adults.

acute effects of leptin on synaptic plasticity in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. The arcuate nucleus is one of the key targets of circulating hormones such as leptin. At least two distinct populations of neurons with opposing actions on food intake residein the arcuate nucleus, " (p.63). Pinto's data is ultimately described as helpful but also created many more questions, probably more than it answered.

Although many individuals are uncertain about the increasing statistics associated with obesity, more than seventy percent of men and virtually sixty-two percent of women within the United States adult population are overweight or obese (Wilmore, Costill, & Kenney). Obesity refers to the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat. If an individual’s amount of body fat becomes too excessive, he/she is at a much greater risk of developing life-altering diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, type II diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, etc. (Wilmore, et al., 2008).

Obesity is defined as the excessive build-up of body fat that has major detrimental effects on an individual’s health (Caballero, 2007). The major cause of this excess accumulation of body fat is due to a positive energy balance i.e. when the input of energy into the body system exceeds the output of energy which in turn facilitates in weight gain (Caballero, 2007). Obesity is a major health issue in modern day society, firstly because it affects approximately 300 million people worldwide (Weight Management Centre and secondly, drastic alteration in the body’s fat intake also leads to the increasing prevalence of other major health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, non-insulin dependent diabetes and hypertension (WMC, 2010).

Obesity, the condition of being severely overweight, is a serious issue in the United States that is gradually beginning to affect more and more citizens. In recent years, the number of Americans suffering from this chronic disease has significantly increased. Researchers have found that nearly one third of the U.S. population is considered overweight and, on average, three hundred thousand individuals die yearly as a result of obesity (Hollands et al. 2). When one participates in little to no physical activity and their diet consists mostly of high fat foods, chances are they will gain weight. If someone becomes obese, they may develop serious health related issues that, in some cases,

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. It is currently plaguing both adults and children in the United States. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that

It was merely a decade ago that the obesity epidemic was thought to only be a minor problem and had only alarmed a small number of endocrinologists interested by the size of the situation (James, 2008). However today, the problem of obesity is vast with more awareness of its presence by doctors and individuals alike. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese (CDC, 2014)”. These numbers are outrageous and eye opening, leaving millions looking for a solution to this troubling epidemic. Obesity is not simply a cosmetic flaw as some might think, but is actually a very dangerous state of being for any individual to sustain long-term. Mentioned further in