[Roles of leptin-mediated intracellular signaling pathways on wound healing]

To study the leptin-mediated intracellular signal pathways and their effects on wound healing.

The literature was reviewed extensively, concerning the physical and chemical characters of leptin, the mechanism of its receptor action, the receptor-related intracellular signal pathways and their roles on wound healing.

Leptin was a protein hormone expressed by ob gene with relative molecular mass 16 x 10(3), it could activate the main singal pathways such as Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathways through binding with its specific receptor, to participate in the modulation of multiple functions including energy metabolism, weight balance and wound healing. Leptin receptors were widely distributed in various tissues, which suggest the multiple functions of leptin. Local leptin expression was increased after skin injured, and it could stimulate keratinocytes proliferation, epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, resulting in accelarated wound repair. Leptin expression was significantly increased after mucosal injury or bacteria infections, leading to accelarated mucosal repair through modulation of mucosal glandular secretion, improvment of mucosal blood flow, and synergistic action with endothelin-1.

Leptin can promote wound healing through activating its receptor-related intracellular signal pathways.