Which adipose-derived hormone is anorexigenic?

• A. Ghrelin
• B. PYY
• C. Leptin
• D. GLP-1

Answer: (C)

Leptin is the hormone produced by fat tissue that signals to the brain when energy stores are sufficient and helps dampen appetite. It acts on the hypothalamus to reduce hunger by inhibiting neurons that stimulate feeding and promoting pathways that promote satiety, supporting long‑term energy balance. As fat mass increases, leptin levels rise and hunger tends to decrease; when fat stores drop, leptin falls and appetite can rise. Other options come from outside adipose tissue—ghrelin from the stomach increases appetite, while PYY and GLP‑1 from the gut can also reduce hunger after meals—but they are not adipose-derived. Thus, the adipose-derived hormone that is anorexigenic is leptin.