Leptin and Leptin Sensitizers for the Treatment of Obesity-Related Conditions

Abstract

The prevalence of common obesity continues to increase despite very serious efforts to prevent and treat it. Obesity leads to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are still among the most important causes of death in developed countries. Leptin replacement therapy has been successfully and effectively used in patients with complete or partial leptin-deficient states. The discovery of leptin inspired a great hope, but the expected success of leptin therapy has not been achieved for the treatment of common obesity. After understanding leptin resistance as the basis of common obesity, research has shifted to find leptin sensitizers that can be used in humans. Despite extensive research, there is still no effective, widely used leptin sensitier available for the treatment of common obesity. However, leptin sensitizers offer promise as approved medications for the clinical treatment of common obesity. The above-mentioned topics are explained in more detail in this chapter.

Keywords: 4-phenylbutyrate, Betulinic Acid, Celastrol, Congenital Leptin Deficiency, Leptin, Leptin Replacement, Leptin Resistance, Leptin Sensitizer, Lipodystrophy, Obesity, Oxytoxin, Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid, Withaferin.