Leptin, a protein secreted by fat cells, seems to be involved in mechanisms of ventilatory control in humans. Leptin induces satiation and reduction of appetite, and increases the rate of metabolism. This leads to the maintenance or reduction of weight (from the Greek leptos, meaning thin). Since most obese people have very high levels of leptin, obesity has been postulated as a state of leptin resistance. [click link for full article]
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