Leptin Ghrelin Balance refers to the essential homeostatic relationship between the two primary hormones governing appetite, satiety, and long-term energy expenditure. Leptin, secreted by adipose tissue, functions to signal satiety and long-term energy sufficiency to the brain, while Ghrelin, secreted primarily by the stomach, signals hunger and initiates food-seeking behavior. The delicate equilibrium between these two hormones is critically important for effective body weight regulation and overall metabolic health.
Origin
This term is a clinical descriptor combining the names of the two hormones, Leptin (from Greek leptos, meaning thin) and Ghrelin (a coined name, based on ghre, a Proto-Indo-European root for “grow”), and the concept of balance to denote their reciprocal regulatory function. It became a significant focus of endocrinology following the discovery of leptin in the 1990s, clarifying the neuroendocrine control of energy intake.
Mechanism
Leptin acts on specific receptors in the hypothalamus to inhibit neuropeptide Y (NPY) and stimulate POMC neurons, thereby suppressing appetite and increasing energy expenditure over the long term. Conversely, Ghrelin acts on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the hypothalamus to powerfully stimulate NPY, promoting appetite and energy storage. Disruptions, such as leptin resistance or inappropriate ghrelin secretion, fundamentally impair the body’s ability to accurately perceive and manage its energy status.
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