Leptin and Its Emerging Role in Children and Adolescents |
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| Authors: | Iosif Kelesidis Christos S. Mantzoros |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA |
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| Abstract: | Leptin is an adipocyte-secreted hormone which plays a key role in energy homeostasis.Recent “proof of concept” studies involving leptin administration to humans support itscritical role in regulating energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine and immune function as wellas insulin resistance in states of energy/ caloric deprivation. Moreover, interventionalstudies in leptin deficient children and observational studies in normal girls and boyssupport a role for leptin as a permissive factor for the initiation of puberty inchildren. The potential clinical usefulness of leptin in several disease states inchildren and adolescents, including hypothalamic amenorrhea, eating disorders andsyndromes of insulin resistance is still under investigation. |
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| Keywords: | obesity insulin resistance leptin adipocytokines physiology hypothalamic amenorrhea |
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