Leptin (human) ELISA Kit

Leptin, the product of the ob (obese) gene, is produced mainly in the adipose tissue, and is considered to play an important role in appetite control, fat metabolism and body weight regulation. The primary effect of leptin appears to be mediated by leptin receptors expressed mainly in the hypothalamus. In humans, leptin levels correlate with body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat, and are elevated even in obese individuals. Leptin has a dual action; it decreases the appetite and increases energy consumption. Leptin is secreted in circadian fashion with nocturnal rise in both lean and obese patients. Mutations of the ob gene resulting in leptin deficiency are the cause of obesity in the ob/ob mice suggesting that endogenous leptin can normalize body weight. In contrast, human obese subjects may have high levels of leptin, indicating a mechanism of leptin resistance. Enzyme ImmunoAssay (EIA) is a technique to detect and quantify antigens (proteins, hormones�) or antibodies in samples. It relies on the ability of an antibody to bind a specific antigen. Either the antibody or the antigen is labelled with an enzyme whose substrate is a chromogen or a fluorogen converted in a measurable product (color or fluorescence). Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a type of EIA using a solid phase (ex: microtiter plate) coated with an antigen immobilizing the molecule to detect. Over the time, scientists have extended the term ELISA to EIAs using an antibody coating the solid phase. That explains why our EIA kits using coated antibodies are also called ELISA kits.