title: [Leptin: a peptide with therapeutic potential in the obese].
abstract: Obesity is the result of a positive balance between total energy intake and its catabolism. Although many factors are involved in the regulation of energy metabolism, the discovery of leptin led to energy homeostasis being investigated in greater depth. Since its identification, leptin has been considered important in the development of obesity, given its anorexigenic effect and influence on food intake and energy expenditure. Leptin is involved in diverse physiological processes such as energy balance, appetite and body weight control, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and reproduction. However, to be able to function, this hormone has many specific receptors both centrally (hypothalamus) and peripherally in the skeletal muscle, lungs and kidneys. This study aims to review the key aspects relating leptin to the development of obesity and discusses its potential as an anorectic agent.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería, Escuela Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España. emigoji@correo.ugr.es
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González Jiménez
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aguilar Cordero
authors.forename: Carmen de Jesús
authors.initials: Cde J
authors.lastname: García García
authors.forename: Pedro Antonio
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: García López
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alvarez Ferre
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Padilla López
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin