What is the Origin of Satiety Hormone Leptin?

Leptin was discovered in 1994, and its name is derived from the Greek word leptos, meaning "thin." Its discovery fundamentally changed the understanding of obesity, establishing that fat tissue is not merely a passive energy store but an active endocrine organ. The identification of leptin resistance in many obese individuals became a major focus of metabolic research.

What is the Mechanism of Satiety Hormone Leptin?

Leptin circulates in proportion to body fat mass and crosses the blood-brain barrier to bind to its specific receptor (LepR) in the hypothalamus, particularly on the arcuate nucleus. Binding to these receptors inhibits the production of orexigenic peptides like NPY and AgRP while stimulating the release of anorexigenic peptides like alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). This signaling cascade ultimately suppresses appetite and increases thermogenesis, linking energy stores to overall energy balance.

Satiety Hormone Leptin ∞ Area

Satiety Hormone Leptin

Meaning

An essential adipokine, a peptide hormone primarily secreted by adipose tissue, that plays a central role in the long-term regulation of energy balance by signaling energy sufficiency to the central nervous system. Leptin acts as the body’s key satiety signal, inhibiting appetite and promoting energy expenditure when fat stores are adequate. Its function is crucial for preventing excessive weight gain and maintaining body weight homeostasis.