Research
Hormonal
Leptin acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine in adipose tissue by promoting macrophage infiltration and activation via JAK/STAT, MAPK, and PI3K pathways, contributing to local inflammation and lipid accumulation.
High levels of leptin in obesity do more than affect hunger; they actively promote inflammation in fat tissue by attracting and activating immune cells (macrophages). This inflammatory state contributes to insulin resistance and other metabolic issues.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
In obese individuals, high leptin levels seem to play a pro-inflammatory role. For example, in one study, in vitro leptin treatment promoted pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a secretion in macrophages via p38 and the JNK MAPK pathway... Moreover, leptin acts as a potent chemoattractant for monocytes and macrophages via the LepRb-mediated activation of the JAK/STAT, MAPK and PI3K pathways.
Why this rating
Based on multiple cited studies in mice and in vitro human cells.
Source
Adipokines, Hepatokines and Myokines: Focus on Their Role and Molecular Mechanisms in Adipose Tissue Inflammation
Yakun Ren et al. · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2022
DOI 10.3389/fendo.2022.873699
narrative_reviewCited 214×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., leptin, resistin, chemerin, FABP4) and reduced levels of anti-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., adiponectin) drive chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue during obesity, contributing to insulin resistance and metabolic disorders.Moderate
- Resistin promotes inflammation and insulin resistance by binding to TLR4 and activating NF-kB, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways in macrophages and hypothalamic cells.Moderate
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