Smoking-induced changes in leptin serum levels and c/EBPalpha-related methylation status of the leptin core promotor during smoking cessation

Cigarette smoking is a severe public health hazard responsible for approximately 3-6 million premature deaths annually worldwide (Peto et al., 1996). It is the leading preventable cause of significant health costs, related chronic diseases and deaths worldwide (Jha, 2009; Neubauer et al., 2006). Although efforts have been made to develop effective smoking cessation strategies, long-term success rates remain disappointing (Fiore, 2000). Important factors contributing towards a reluctance to quit as well as for relapsing after cessation are weight gain (Spring et al., 1992) and, most critically, craving (Alsene et al., 2003; Zuo et al., 2016).

Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - September 22, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Alexander Glahn, Mathias Rhein, Helge Frieling, Franziska Dette, Stefan Bleich, Thomas Hillemacher, Marc Muschler Source Type: research