Dynamic regulation of leptin entry into brain by the blood-brain barrier

Regulation of the transport of leptin across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may be crucial for its effects on food ingestion and obesity and may be res ponsible for 'leptin resistance'. This review summarizes current studies of leptin indicating a dynamic role of the BBB. It includes evidence for its susceptibility to change by physiological stimuli such as starvation, refee ding, and time of day. Although the short form of the leptin receptor is in volved in leptin transport, it appears that other mechanisms of entry also exist. Regardless, the BBB is intimately involved with the regulation of th e actions of leptin. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.