About this Research Topic
Since its identification in 1994, research on leptin has expanded substantially, and leptin is now recognized to have important roles in energy balance and food intake, immune function, neuro-endocrine function, bone metabolism, blood pressure regulation, sexual maturation and inflammation. Some of these roles appear permissive, but important, nevertheless. There, however, still remains much to be learnt about the mechanism/s involved in the role of leptin in physiology. Leptin is also now implicated in disease, particularly those diseases related to obesity. There is a need for new information on this link.
Whilst the role of leptin in normal physiology is now well recognized, there remains a lot to be learnt about the mechanism and extent of leptin's involvement in normal physiological functions and, in particular, its failure in regulating body weight and energy balance. Besides this, recent studies implicate leptin in a number of diseases, particularly those related to obesity. It has been linked to infertility in obese males, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, enhancing carcinogenicity and altering immune function and inflammation. Despite this, much still remains to be examined and reported on the extent and mechanisms involved in its actions in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these diseases. It appears that leptin, like some of the endocrine hormones, is required for normal physiological functions, but when present in high concentrations, it has significant adverse effects.
Given the extensive literature on leptin, a compilation of articles on the latest research in leptin is timely. This Research Topic welcomes new and exciting research that provides novel insight on leptin actions in metabolic physiology and disease. Submissions are welcome for the following article types: original research, review, mini-reviews, research protocol/method, opinion and hypothesis. We particularly welcome contributions that provide novel insight on the actions of leptin in metabolic physiology and disease including the latest paradigm shifting findings, novel insight on leptin mechanisms, and novel developments on leptin's role in physiology and pathophysiology.
Whilst the role of leptin in normal physiology is now well recognized, there remains a lot to be learnt about the mechanism and extent of leptin's involvement in normal physiological functions and, in particular, its failure in regulating body weight and energy balance. Besides this, recent studies implicate leptin in a number of diseases, particularly those related to obesity. It has been linked to infertility in obese males, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, enhancing carcinogenicity and altering immune function and inflammation. Despite this, much still remains to be examined and reported on the extent and mechanisms involved in its actions in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these diseases. It appears that leptin, like some of the endocrine hormones, is required for normal physiological functions, but when present in high concentrations, it has significant adverse effects.
Given the extensive literature on leptin, a compilation of articles on the latest research in leptin is timely. This Research Topic welcomes new and exciting research that provides novel insight on leptin actions in metabolic physiology and disease. Submissions are welcome for the following article types: original research, review, mini-reviews, research protocol/method, opinion and hypothesis. We particularly welcome contributions that provide novel insight on the actions of leptin in metabolic physiology and disease including the latest paradigm shifting findings, novel insight on leptin mechanisms, and novel developments on leptin's role in physiology and pathophysiology.
Keywords: Leptin, Obesity, Disease, Energy Balance, Physiology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
