Leptin and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Hints From Preliminary Clinical Studies

The product of the ob gene leptin was first identified and cloned from rodent adipose tissue in 1994. It was pioneerly considered to play a role in the regulation of the energy balance, as leptin deficient ob/ob mice showed typical features of metabolic syndrome (MS). Individuals that less responsive to the action of leptin led to the concept of leptin resistance. Multiple biological processes can promote leptin resistance and thus interfere with related diseases. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of MS became world epidemics along with other MS components such as diabetes, obesity, and leptin resistance is indicated in the process.