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Ghrelin Leptin

Meaning

Ghrelin and Leptin are two counter-regulatory peptide hormones that serve as primary components of the body’s appetite regulation and energy balance system. Ghrelin, often termed the “hunger hormone,” is secreted by the stomach and signals the brain to initiate feeding. Leptin, the “satiety hormone,” is produced by adipose tissue and signals the brain to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure. The precise, coordinated signaling between these two hormones is essential for maintaining a healthy body weight and metabolic homeostasis. Dysregulation, such as leptin resistance or chronic ghrelin elevation, contributes significantly to obesity and metabolic syndrome.