In obesity, an elevated accumulation and dysregulation of adipose tissue, due to an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, usually coexists with the loss of responsiveness to leptin in central nervous system, and subsequently with hyperleptinemia. Leptin, a peptide hormone mainly produced by white adipose tissue, regulates energy homeostasis by stimulating energy expenditure and inhibiting food intake. Human obesity is characterized by increased plasma leptin levels, which have been related with different obesity-associated complications, such as chronic inflammatory state (risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases), as well as infertility and different types of cancer. Besides, leptin is also produced by placenta, and high leptin levels during pregnancy may be related with some pathological conditions such as gestational diabetes. This review focuses on the current insights and emerging concepts on potentially valuable nutrients and food components that may modulate leptin metabolism. Notably, several dietary food components, such as phenols, peptides, and vitamins, are able to decrease inflammation and improve leptin sensitivity by up- or down-regulation of leptin signaling molecules. On the other hand, some food components, such as saturated fatty acids may worsen chronic inflammation increasing the risk for pathological complications. Future research into nutritional mechanisms that restore leptin metabolism and signals of energy homeostasis may inspire new treatment options for obesity-related disorders.

在肥胖症中，由于能量摄入和能量消耗之间的不平衡，脂肪组织的堆积和失调通常与中枢神经系统对瘦素的反应丧失并随后出现高瘦素血症共存。瘦素是一种主要由白色脂肪组织产生的肽类激素，通过刺激能量消耗和抑制食物摄入来调节能量稳态。人类肥胖的特点是血浆瘦素水平升高，这与不同的肥胖相关并发症有关，例如慢性炎症状态（糖尿病、心血管和自身免疫疾病的危险因素），以及不孕症和不同类型的癌症。此外，瘦素也是由胎盘产生的，而孕期瘦素水平偏高可能与妊娠糖尿病等一些病理状况有关。本综述重点关注可能调节瘦素代谢的潜在有价值的营养素和食物成分的当前见解和新兴概念。值得注意的是，几种膳食成分，如酚类、肽和维生素，能够通过上调或下调瘦素信号分子来减少炎症并提高瘦素敏感性。另一方面，一些食物成分，如饱和脂肪酸，可能会加重慢性炎症，增加病理并发症的风险。对恢复瘦素代谢和能量稳态信号的营养机制的未来研究可能会激发肥胖相关疾病的新治疗选择。本综述重点关注可能调节瘦素代谢的潜在有价值的营养素和食物成分的当前见解和新兴概念。值得注意的是，几种膳食成分，如酚类、肽和维生素，能够通过上调或下调瘦素信号分子来减少炎症并提高瘦素敏感性。另一方面，一些食物成分，如饱和脂肪酸，可能会加重慢性炎症，增加病理并发症的风险。对恢复瘦素代谢和能量稳态信号的营养机制的未来研究可能会激发肥胖相关疾病的新治疗选择。本综述重点关注可能调节瘦素代谢的潜在有价值的营养素和食物成分的当前见解和新兴概念。值得注意的是，几种膳食成分，如酚类、肽和维生素，能够通过上调或下调瘦素信号分子来减少炎症并提高瘦素敏感性。另一方面，一些食物成分，如饱和脂肪酸，可能会加重慢性炎症，增加病理并发症的风险。对恢复瘦素代谢和能量稳态信号的营养机制的未来研究可能会激发肥胖相关疾病的新治疗选择。几种膳食食物成分，如酚类、肽和维生素，能够通过上调或下调瘦素信号分子来减少炎症并提高瘦素敏感性。另一方面，一些食物成分，如饱和脂肪酸，可能会加重慢性炎症，增加病理并发症的风险。对恢复瘦素代谢和能量稳态信号的营养机制的未来研究可能会激发肥胖相关疾病的新治疗选择。几种膳食食物成分，如酚类、肽和维生素，能够通过上调或下调瘦素信号分子来减少炎症并提高瘦素敏感性。另一方面，一些食物成分，如饱和脂肪酸，可能会加重慢性炎症，增加病理并发症的风险。对恢复瘦素代谢和能量稳态信号的营养机制的未来研究可能会激发肥胖相关疾病的新治疗选择。