瘦素及其生理功能概述

Leptin and Its Physiological Functions

瘦素是脂肪细胞分泌的一种细胞因子,其分布广泛,在调节机体能量平衡、维持动物正常的发情周期、促进免疫、提高乳蛋白含量和防治人类的心血管疾病等生理、病理多方面发挥着重要的作用。本文综述了瘦素及其受体的结构和特征、瘦素的主要生理功能及其在细胞中的信号转导途径。

Leptin is a kind of cytokine secreted by adipose cells.It is widely distributed in many animal tissues and has critical roles in physiology and pathology of animals,such as regulating energy balance,keeping normal estrous cycle,enhancing immunity and milk protein content,and preventing and treating human cardiovascular diseases,etc.This review is about the structures and characteristics of leptin and its receptor,main physiological functions and signal transduction pathway in cells.