Leptin, an obesity-related hormone, may play a key role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA), says a French study in the November issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism.Leptin, which is produced predominantly in the body’s fat tissue, regulates food intake and energy output.In this study, researchers tested for the presence of leptin in samples of synovial fluid and cartilage specimens from the joints of 20 people with OA. Of those, 11 were having knee replacement surgery and nine were undergoing knee arthroscopy.
