Biology of leptin - its implications and consequences for the treatment ofobesity

The fundamental biology of leptin and the leptin system is summarised. The hormone is produced in several organs, but primarily white adipose tissue, and is subject to acute regulation, particularly by the sympathetic nervous system. Leptin receptors are widely distributed, both centrally and periph erally and there are several neuroendocrine targets. Although leptin is a k ey hormone in the regulation of energy balance, the biological effects of t he hormone are extensive. Increasing leptin levels is unlikely to be an eff ective strategy for the treatment of obesity-except in those limited number of cases where there is a genuine deficiency of the hormone (eg in individ uals with mutations of the leptin gene).