Which hormone is produced by adipose tissue and signals satiety?

• A. Leptin
• B. Ghrelin
• C. Adiponectin
• D. Insulin

Answer: (A)

Leptin is the hormone produced by adipose tissue that signals satiety to the brain. It travels to the hypothalamus and acts on receptors to curb appetite and help regulate energy balance, reflecting long-term fat stores in the body. This makes it the primary adipose-derived signal that tells you you’re full and that energy stores are sufficient. In contrast, ghrelin is released by the stomach and stimulates hunger, adiponectin mainly influences insulin sensitivity and inflammation rather than fullness, and insulin regulates blood glucose and energy storage but is produced by the pancreas, not adipose tissue. So the hormone that signals satiety from fat tissue is leptin.