Leptin and Ghrelin are two distinct, critically important peptide hormones that serve as primary, antagonistic regulators of energy balance, appetite, and satiety through their action on the hypothalamus. Leptin, secreted proportionally by adipocytes, signals long-term energy sufficiency and suppresses appetite, while Ghrelin, predominantly secreted by the stomach, signals acute hunger and initiates food-seeking behavior. The delicate, reciprocal balance between these two hormones is fundamental to metabolic homeostasis and the long-term regulation of body weight.
Origin
Both hormones were relatively recently discovered in the field of endocrinology, with Leptin identified in 1994 and Ghrelin in 1999, marking a significant advance in the understanding of the neuroendocrine control of appetite. Leptin is derived from the Greek leptos, meaning thin, and Ghrelin is named from the Proto-Indo-European root ghre, meaning to grow, reflecting their respective functions. Their co-mention highlights their antagonistic yet complementary roles in the central control of feeding behavior.
Mechanism
Leptin acts on specific receptors in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus to stimulate anorexigenic neurons, thereby suppressing appetite and increasing energy expenditure. Conversely, Ghrelin binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the hypothalamus, powerfully activating the orexigenic pathway to promote food intake. Chronic energy surplus or deficit can lead to adaptive changes, such as leptin resistance or persistent ghrelin elevation, disrupting this crucial neuroendocrine feedback loop and contributing to weight dysregulation.
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