| Theme |
The Beginning of Neurogastroenterology |
| Title |
Leptin and Gastrointestinal Function |
| Author |
Hiroaki Murata |
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School |
| Author |
Shingo Tsuji |
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School |
| Author |
Hai Ying Fu |
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Science, School of Allied Health Scierces, Osaka University Graduate School |
| Author |
Sunao Kawano |
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Science, School of Allied Health Scierces, Osaka University Graduate School |
| [ Summary ] |
Serum leptin is involved in the regulation of food intake by stimulating hypothalamic receptors. Leptin is produced or stored in the stomach, mainly in the chief cells and parietal cells, other than fat tissue, and it may exert its function locally as well as via the vagal afferent loop. Its receptors exist in the stomach and intestine, and it may stimulate the receptors in an autocrine or paracrine manner. In the gastric mucosa infected with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori), the content of leptin is increased without elevated serum leptin levels. The possibility has been shown that H.pylori infection affects the body mass index (BMI) through inhibition of food intake in association with leptin production in the stomach. It exhibits anti-ulcer ogenic properties in the stomach as well as a proliferative effect on the gastric epithelial cells. In the intestine, leptin stimulates motility and may exacerbate immune reactions. Collectively, locally and via afferent nerve fibers, leptin exerts a variety of functions in the gastrointestinal tract exhibiting receptors in a different manner from how leptin, released from fat tissue, stimulates the hypothalamic receptors. |