REVIEW: ADIPOSE TISSUE IS A REAL MEDICINE ENDOCRINE WEALTH-LEPTIN IS AN IMMUNE, PROTECTIVE, THERAPUTIC HORMONE

Human adipose tissue is a highly active endocrine organ secreting more than 100 soluble products. Called adipokines, and adipose tissue hormones adding to fatty acids and prostaglandins. The most important polypeptide adipose tissue hormone is leptin. Previous studies reported many functions of leptin as a metabolic and energy storage hormone. Recently leptin represents a link between the endocrine and immune systems. That is affected by discases, nutritional wavs, starvation and other factors, The current report reviewed the immune function of adipokines with special focus on leptin and its mode of action normally and in some diseases. The current report highlighted and concluded the following medical aspects: -Adipose tissue has a potent effective immune function because of the similarity of its cytokines secretions and cytokines existed between those of immune cells. -Leptin has an immune stimulating and regulating effect with a direct action on immune cells to produce cytokines. - Leptin could be used as useful marker of disease activity and response to therapy. -Leptin is a beneficent therapy to recover the immunity in some leptin-deficiency diseases and in preventing the induced thymus apoptosis, and adiponectin protect islet B-cells against apoptosis and in obesity. where no leptin pro. duction because of the mutation in the obese gene, where there is impaired cellular immunity and thymus. -However, disturbed leptin and adipocytokines expression and secretion (elevated circulating levels as in obesity and low leptin level as in cancer and malnutrition) may be contribute to risk complications. -The use of leptin and adipocytokines therapy to modify their levels in patients is promising tool for the treatment and prevention of complication risks. Recently, many results revealed that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are more effective in modulating leptin levels, this may be a useful practical tool, if further studies were done considering immune parameters and factors affecting leptin level.