Partial Leptin Reduction: An Emerging Weight Loss Paradigm

Abstract

Leptin-based obesity pharmacotherapies were originally developed according to the lipostatic view that elevated circulating leptin levels promote a negative energy balance. A series of independent preclinical findings suggest, however, that a partial reduction in circulating leptin levels (either by immunoneutralization, a peripherally restricted CB1 receptor inverse agonist, or bariatric surgery) can paradoxically lead to weight loss.

Keywords: bariatric surgery; leptin sensitizers; neutralizing leptin antibody; obesity; peripherally restricted CB1 receptor inverse agonist; weight loss.