Leptin, sympathetic nervous system, and baroreflex function.
In addition to its direct effects on energy metabolism and caloric intake, leptin exerts several circulatory effects that appear to be mediated by an interaction with the sympathetic nervous system and the major reflexogenic area involved in cardiovascular homeostatic control--that is, the arterial baroreflex. In this paper, the relationships between the adipocyte hormone and the neuroadrenergic function are reviewed, taking into account data collected in experimental animal models as well as in human cardiovascular (hypertension and heart failure) and noncardiovascular (obesity) diseases that are characterized by a hyperadrenergic state coupled with a hyperleptinemia.
Grassi
Guido
G
Clinica Medica, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Donizetti 106, 20052, Monza (Milano), Italy. guido.grassi@unimib.it
D000818:Animals; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology*; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*
D020738:Leptin