Regulation of leptin in involution of mammary gland

Leptin,a protein hormone produced and secreted predominantly by white adipose tissue,has a critical role in the regulation and coordination of energy metabolism.Leptin is produced in the mammary gland by the fat tissue or by the mammary epithelium.In vitro study has shown that leptin triggers apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells.Mammary gland involution is characterized by extensive apoptosis of the epithelial cells.At the onset of involution,STAT3 is specifically activated.Various studies show that leptin act as a paracrine and autocrin factor to influence mammary epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation.This paper reviewed the function of leptin to the involution of mammary gland.