Schubring C, Blum W F, Kratzsch J, Deutscher J, Kiess W
Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Giessen, Germany.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2000 Feb;88(2):121-7. doi: 10.1016/s0301-2115(99)00150-5.
Leptin is a recently discovered hormone which is involved in the regulation of body weight. It provides a molecular basis for the lipostatic theory of the regulation of energy balance. White adipose tissue is the main site of leptin synthesis and there is some evidence of ob gene expression in brown fat. Leptin seems to play a key role in the control of body fat stores by coordinated regulation of feeding behaviour, metabolic rate, autonomic nervous system regulation and body energy balance in rodents, primates and humans. Apart from the function of leptin in the central nervous system on the regulation of energy balance, it may well be one of the hormonal factors that signal the body's readiness for sexual maturation and reproduction to the brain. During late pregnancy and at birth when maternal fat stores have been developed leptin levels are high. Leptin could then be a messenger molecule signaling the adequacy of the fat stores for reproduction and maintenance of pregnancy. At later stages of gestation leptin could signal the expansion of fat stores in order to prepare the expectant mother for the energy requirements of full term gestation, labour and lactation. This overview focuses on those topics of leptin research which are of particular interest in reproductive medicine and gynecology.
瘦素是一种最近发现的激素，参与体重调节。它为能量平衡调节的脂肪稳态理论提供了分子基础。白色脂肪组织是瘦素合成的主要部位，并且有证据表明褐色脂肪中存在ob基因表达。在啮齿动物、灵长类动物和人类中，瘦素似乎通过协调调节进食行为、代谢率、自主神经系统调节和身体能量平衡，在控制身体脂肪储存方面发挥关键作用。除了瘦素在中枢神经系统中对能量平衡的调节功能外，它很可能是向大脑传递身体性成熟和繁殖准备就绪信号的激素因子之一。在妊娠后期和分娩时，当母体脂肪储备已经形成时，瘦素水平很高。瘦素可能是一种信使分子，表明脂肪储备足以支持生殖和维持妊娠。在妊娠后期，瘦素可以发出脂肪储备增加的信号，以便让准妈妈为足月妊娠、分娩和哺乳的能量需求做好准备。本综述重点关注瘦素研究中在生殖医学和妇科领域特别受关注的那些主题。
