The therapeutic potential of leptin

Abstract

Many studies have reported the difficulty most subjects have in maintaining weight loss. Leptin is a cytokine-like protein made in adipose tissue and is transported into the brain by the blood-brain barrier where it inhibits food intake by altering the expression of hypothalamic neurotransmitters. The discovery of leptin raised the hope that a natural compound had been found that could cause weight loss without adverse effects. However, the majority of obese people have high levels of circulating leptin and it is not surprising that clinical trials published so far have shown that leptin only works effectively to suppress food intake in subjects who are hyperphagic as a result of low leptin ..