leptin

American  

[lep-tin] / ˈlɛp tɪn /

noun

1. a hormone that is thought to suppress appetite and speed up metabolism.

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leptin British  

/ ˈlɛptɪn /

noun

1. a protein, produced by fat cells in the body, that acts on the brain to regulate the amount of additional fat laid down in the body

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leptin Scientific  

/ lĕp′tĭn′ /

1. A peptide hormone and neurotransmitter produced by fat cells and involved in the regulation of appetite.

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Etymology

Origin of leptin

1995–2000; < Greek leptós small, thin + -in ²

Example Sentences

Blood tests also revealed meaningful improvements in markers linked to inflammation and immune function, including reduced levels of leptin and PAI-1.

From Science Daily • Feb. 11, 2026

"So if insulin levels are too high, it actually then dilutes the leptin signal and suddenly the brain can't sense how much fat is stored."

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

This means that, when we eat too quickly, we ingest more than we actually need – leptin does not have enough time to kick in and tell us that we have had enough.

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2024

They found that UV exposure raises norepinephrine levels, decreases leptin levels, and induces the browning of subcutaneous fat, thereby increasing energy expenditure.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

But that doesn’t work for people who have developed resistance to leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024