The doctor mentioned the risks of artificially changing the regulation of fat metabolism

Altering the regulation of fat metabolism with the help of leptin can increase chronic inflammation, since the hormone can affect the immune system. Anna Oderiy, an endocrinologist at SM Clinic, told Izvestia about this on February 13.

According to the doctor, the potential risk of artificially changing the regulation of fat metabolism is leptin resistance, which reduces the effectiveness of therapy.

"Most obese people have so-called leptin resistance: the hormone circulates in elevated concentrations, but the cells of the hypothalamus stop responding to it adequately. This significantly reduces the effect of leptin administration from the outside," the doctor noted.

In this regard, as the endocrinologist notes, in most patients, an artificial increase in leptin levels may not lead to significant fat loss. In addition, another risk is considered to be metabolic disorders that can lead to increased vascular tone, blood pressure, and impaired renal blood flow.

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In addition, leptin affects the immune system, and its excess can increase chronic inflammation and alter the activity of immune system cells, making treatment potentially risky for patients with autoimmune diseases.

"Although short-term studies often do not show acute side effects, the long-term effects of exposure to elevated doses of leptin on the central nervous system, metabolism, and cardiovascular system remain poorly understood. Without such data, it is impossible to confidently use hormone therapy widely," the expert noted.

Currently, there is no convincing evidence in the scientific literature that high concentrations of leptin cause neurodegenerative processes (for example, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases) as a result of increased hormone doses, the doctor concluded.

Scientists from University College London (UCL) have found that obese people have a 70% higher risk of hospitalization or death from infections. It was also noted that people with a body mass index above 40 had a three-fold higher risk of severe infection.

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