INCREASED LEPTIN EXPRESSION IN MICE WITH BACTERIAL PERITONITIS IS PARTIALLY REGULATED BY TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA

Plasma leptin and ob gene mRNA levels were increased in mice following bacterial peritonitis, and blocking an endogenous tumor necrosis fact or alpha (TNF-alpha) response blunted the increase. However, plasma le ptin concentrations did not correlate with the associated anorexia. We conclude that leptin expression is under partial regulatory control o f TNF-alpha in peritonitis, but the anorexia is not dependent on incre ased leptin production.