Chemical, electrical, hormonal and nutrient signaling in the mammalian central nervous system.

[Please refer to thesis

Leptin mediates the increase in blood pressure associated with obesity.

Obesity is associated with increased blood pressure (BP), which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We found that the increase in leptin levels seen in diet-induced obesity (DIO) drives an increase in BP in rodents, an effect that was not seen in animals deficient in leptin or leptin receptors (LepR). Furthermore, humans with loss-of-function mutations in leptin and the LepR have low BP despite severe obesity. Leptin's effects on BP are mediated by neuronal circuits in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), as blocking leptin with a specific antibody, antagonist, or inhibition of the activity of LepR-expressing neurons in the DMH caused a rapid reduction of BP in DIO mice, independent of changes in weight. Re-expression of LepRs in the DMH of DIO LepR-deficient mice caused an increase in BP. These studies demonstrate that leptin couples changes in weight to changes in BP in mammalian species

Does leptin cause an increase in blood pressure in animals and humans?

Purpose of review Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally. The risk for the development of CVDs is significantly increased in obesity. Leptin, the product of white adipose tissue, appears to contribute to the development of CVDs in obesity. Here, we discuss the premise that leptin engages the sympathetic nervous system and contributes to elevated blood pressure (BP) developing in obesity. Recent findings The long-term regulation of BP is dependent on the activity of the autonomic nervous system and specifically the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic nerve activity is significantly increased in obese rodents and humans. Leptin increases sympathetic nerve activity in rodents and humans; however, leptin only consistently increases BP chronically in rodents. The ability of leptin to increase BP in rodents is via both hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic regions. In leptin-deficient and leptin receptor-deficient humans, leptin appears to be the key reason for decreased systolic BP. However, in other research conducted in humans, chronic administration of leptin does not elevate BP

Shaping consumer imaginations: The role of self-focused attention in product evaluations

10.1509/jmkr.48.2.381Journal of Marketing Research482381-39