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Review
. 2022 May 13;23(10):5439.
doi: 10.3390/ijms23105439.

The Head-to-Toe Hormone: Leptin as an Extensive Modulator of Physiologic Systems

Monica Misch  1 , Prasanth Puthanveetil  2
Affiliations
Review

The Head-to-Toe Hormone: Leptin as an Extensive Modulator of Physiologic Systems

Monica Misch et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Leptin is a well-known hunger-sensing peptide hormone. The role of leptin in weight gain and metabolic homeostasis has been explored for the past two decades. In this review, we have tried to shed light upon the impact of leptin signaling on health and diseases. At low or moderate levels, this peptide hormone supports physiological roles, but at chronically higher doses exhibits detrimental effects on various systems. The untoward effects we observe with chronically higher levels of leptin are due to their receptor-mediated effect or due to leptin resistance and are not well studied. This review will help us in understanding the non-anorexic roles of leptin, including their contribution to the metabolism of various systems and inflammation. We will be able to get an alternative perspective regarding the physiological and pathological roles of this mysterious peptide hormone.

Keywords: leptin; leptin receptor; metabolism; physiological functions; systemic role.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
An illustration of the broad effects of leptin signaling within the human body. The role of leptin as an anorexic agent is well known. The role of leptin in regulating various physiological systems under normal and pathological conditions are explained here, including cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, renal, immune, and skeletal systems.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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