Leptin is a hormone derived from adipose tissue and the small intestine, mainly in enterocytes; it helps regulate the energy balance by suppressing hunger, resulting in decreased fat mass in adipocytes. Leptin has specific receptors in the ventromedial and arcuate nuclei and other parts of the hypothalamus and the feeding center in the ventral tegmental area. It also plays a role in regulatory aspects other than fat cells, such as obesity, which is linked to a loss of sensitivity of leptin receptors, resulting in an inability to produce satiety and an increase in food intake.
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