Leptin Ghrelin imbalance describes a state of dysregulation in the complex interplay between two major hormones that govern energy homeostasis and appetite: Leptin, which is secreted by adipose tissue to signal satiety, and Ghrelin, which is secreted by the stomach to stimulate hunger. A functional imbalance typically involves a state of leptin resistance, where the brain fails to properly recognize high circulating leptin levels, combined with an abnormal ghrelin profile. This hormonal disruption fundamentally contributes to chronic overeating, difficulty with weight loss, and the development of metabolic dysfunction. It represents a failure in the body’s natural energy sensing and regulatory system.
Origin
The term originates from metabolic endocrinology and physiology, following the relatively recent discovery and characterization of both the leptin and ghrelin hormones. Leptin, derived from the Greek word leptos (thin), was discovered in the mid-1990s, while Ghrelin, a portmanteau for “Growth Hormone-releasing,” was identified shortly after. The concept of their imbalance highlights the synergistic, yet often antagonistic, roles they play in the neuroendocrine control of body weight. This understanding has provided new targets for therapeutic intervention in obesity.
Mechanism
In the context of chronic positive energy balance, excess adipose tissue leads to hyperleptinemia, which saturates the leptin receptors in the hypothalamus, resulting in central leptin resistance. Simultaneously, the normal suppression of ghrelin following a meal may be blunted, maintaining a persistent drive for caloric intake. This combined mechanism—a failure to signal fullness and a sustained drive to seek food—disrupts the energy set point. The imbalance prevents the appropriate metabolic adjustments necessary for maintaining a healthy body composition.
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