Regarding leptin, which of the following is correct?
Acts upon the adipocyte
Is synthesised in the hypothalamus
Plasma concentrations correlate directly with lean body mass
Produces satiety This is the correct answer
Reduces basal metabolic rate
Leptin is synthesised within the adipocyte and plasma concentrations are directly related to adipocyte
(fat) mass.
It acts on receptors within the arcuate nucleus within the hypothalamus to produce satiety. As such,
when patients reach a certain peripheral fat mass, leptin acts as a lipostat to reduce food intake.
However, leptin resistance is seen, hence patients can continue to accumulate weight and addition of
leptin does not curb food intake