Leptin and its relation to weight loss, <i>ob gene</i> expression and the acute-phase response in surgical patients

Abstract

Plasma leptin levels appear to be influenced by proinflammatory cytokines. Omental fat may have more influence on plasma leptin than subcutaneous fat. Accelerated weight loss in patients with cancer with an ongoing inflammatory response could be mediated in part by inappropriately high plasma levels of leptin.