Scientist Visits Colorado State University To Lecture On Obesity Hormone
Wednesday, February 18, 1998
FORT COLLINS--A renowned scientist will visit Colorado State
University Feb. 20, to discuss the role of leptin, a protein
linked to obesity that may regulate eating behavior.
Robert Considine, assistant professor at the Indiana University School
of Medicine, will
present his lecture, "Physiology of Leptin in Humans," at 3 p.m. in Room A104
Clark Building on
campus. Considine will discuss what leptin is, how it may affect obesity in
humans and how an
understanding of leptin could lead to a treatment for obesity. The lecture is
free and open to the
public.
"Leptin research is so important because when we understand the
different causes of obesity,
we may be able to manage and prevent it," said Matt Hickey, assistant
professor in the exercise and
sport science department at Colorado State.
Leptin has been studied with increasing intensity since its discovery
in 1994. Leptin is secreted
from fat tissue, and is thought to act as a signal to tell the brain the
condition of body energy stores.
The level of leptin circulating in the blood correlates highly with the
amount of fat in the body.
Normally, when fat and leptin increase, a signal goes to the brain which
reduces appetite and
maintains proper body weight. Some people may build up a resistance to
leptin, which may contribute
to obesity.
Considine was the first scientist to clone both the human leptin gene
and the gene for its
receptor. In addition, he was author of a New England Journal of Medicine
report which first
documented the relation between body fat and circulating levels of leptin in
humans.
"Robert Considine is a pioneer in this field," said Richard Israel,
department chairman of
exercise and sport science. "Scientists worldwide, including members of the
Leptin Research Interest
Group here at Colorado State, are working toward an understanding which could
have enormous
implications for public health. The development of a treatment for obesity
could affect millions of
people."
Considine's visit is hosted by the Leptin Research Interest Group, an
interdisciplinary faculty
research group studying the physiology of obesity and energy balance in
humans and animals.
For more information, contact Hickey at (970) 491-1194.
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