Leptin, its implication in physical exercise and training: a short review

Abstract

Leptin, a hormone synthesized by fat tissue had been noted to regulate energy balance and metabolism and thus to influence body weight. The influence of acute exercise and chronic exercise training on circulating leptin and its relationship with hormonal and metabolic changes that induce energy balance are presented. Research that has examined the influence of exercise under various experimental conditions on leptin and the conflicts in the literature are presented. It appears that a significant caloric perturbation (> 800 kcals) is necessary for acute exercise to result in a significant reduction in leptin. In contrast, exercise training can result in a leptin decline but typically this manifests a reduction in adipose tissue stores. In addition, future directions are presented. Key PointsPhysical exercise and training have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on leptin.Exercise with energy expenditure higher than 800 kcal can decrease leptinemia.Acute training may cause a decline in circulating leptin levels.

Keywords: Leptin; exercise; hormones; training.

Figure 1.

Action of leptin on the hypothalamus and peripheral organs (pancreas, liver. and skeletal muscle). IL-1, interleukin-1; T3, triiodothyronine; T4, thyroxin (Meier and Grassner, 2004).