The role of leptin in human physiology and pathophysiology

This review focuses on current knowledge of leptin biology and the role of leptin in various physiological and pathophysiological states. Leptin is in volved in the regulation of body weight. Serum leptin can probably be consi dered as one of the best biological markers reflecting total body fat in bo th animals and humans. Obesity in man is accompanied by increased circulati ng leptin concentrations. Gender differences clearly exist. Leptin is not o nly correlated to a series of endocrine parameters such as insulin, glucoco rticoids, thyroid hormones, testosterone, but it also seems to be involved in mediating some endocrine mechanisms (onset of puberty, insulin secretion ) and diseases (obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome). It has also been sugge sted that leptin can act as a growth factor in the fetus and the neonate.