POTENTIAL NEW ROLES OF LEPTIN IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.

Leptin is an adipose-tissue specific cytokine described 20 years ago and classically thought to be involved in regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. More recently, leptin was proven to exert other multiple roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, reproductive system, and inflammatory and immune reactions. Emerging data propose leptin to be a modulator of bone mass. In some particular circumstances leptin synthesis follow specific patterns in inflammation and sepsis, not being proportional with fat mass. Therefore, it may be used as diagnostic or prognostic marker for critical illness.