Endotoxin and cytokines induce expression of leptin, the ob gene product, in hamsters - A role for leptin in the anorexia of infection

The expression of leptin, the ob gene product, is increased in adipose tissue in response to feeding and energy repletion, while leptin expression decreases during fasting, Infusion of leptin decreases food intake, Because adipose tissue gene expression is regulated by cytokines induced during infection and because infection is associated with anorexia, we tested whether induction of leptin might occur during the host response to infection, Administration of endotoxin (LPS), a model for gram negative infections, induces profound anorexia and weight loss in hamsters, In fasted animals, LPS increased the expression of leptin mRNA in adipose tissue to levels similar to fed control animals, There is a strong inverse correlation between mRNA levels of leptin and subsequent food intake, TNF and IL-1, mediators of the host response to LPS, also induced anorexia and increased levels of leptin mRNA in adipose tissue. As assessed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, circulating leptin protein is regulated by LPS and cytokines in parallel to regulation of adipose tissue leptin mRNA, Induction of leptin during the host response to infection may contribute to the anorexia of infection.