Systemic stress increases serum leptin level

Background and Aim: Leptin, the product of the obese (ob) gene, is a circulating peptide mainly synthesized by adipocytes. Leptin inhibits food intake and decreases body weight. A recent report has suggested that the gastric mucosa is also the source of leptin, and that the stomach leptin also contributes to the regulation of the serum leptin level. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of water‐immersion stress on serum, stomach and adipose tissue leptin levels to understand the relationship between stress and eating behavior. Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in this experiment. The leptin level in the serum, gastric mucosa and adipose tissue was measured using ELISA system before and after the initiation of water‐immersion stress. Results: The serum leptin level was significantly increased by water‐immersion stress. The peak was observed 9 h after the initiation of the stress (P