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Leptin as a Mediator of Obesity-Induced Hypertension
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Leptin as a Mediator of Obesity-Induced Hypertension

Balyssa B Bell and Kamal Rahmouni
Current obesity reports, Vol.5(4), pp.397-404
12/2016
DOI: 10.1007/s13679-016-0231-x
PMCID: PMC5119542
PMID: 27665107
url
http://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-016-0231-xView
Open Access

Abstract

Hypertension and associated cardiovascular diseases represent the most common health complication of obesity and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in overweight and obese patients. Emerging evidence suggests a critical role for the central nervous system particularly the brain action of the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin in linking obesity and hypertension. The preserved ability of leptin to cause cardiovascular sympathetic nerve activation despite the resistance to the metabolic actions of the hormone appears essential in this pathological process. This review describes the evidence supporting the neurogenic bases for obesity-associated hypertension with a particular focus on the neuronal and molecular signaling pathways underlying leptin's effects on sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure.
Obesity - complications Adipocytes - metabolism Humans Leptin - metabolism Signal Transduction - physiology Sympathetic Nervous System - metabolism Hypertension - etiology Hypertension - metabolism Obesity - metabolism

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