What is the treatment option for congenital leptin deficiency?

Congenital leptin deficiency is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the absence of leptin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and body weight. Individuals with this condition typically exhibit severe obesity and other metabolic complications due to the lack of leptin signaling.

Metreleptin is a recombinant form of human leptin that can be used to replace the missing hormone in patients with congenital leptin deficiency. By providing exogenous leptin, metreleptin helps to restore the physiological functions that are disrupted due to the absence of naturally occurring leptin. This treatment can effectively reduce hunger, normalize energy metabolism, and promote weight loss in affected individuals.

Other treatment options listed do not address the underlying issue of leptin deficiency. Insulin, for instance, is mainly used for managing blood glucose levels in diabetes and does not ameliorate the leptin deficiency itself. Growth hormone is involved in growth and metabolism but does not replace leptin. Leptin receptor agonists, which would theoretically activate leptin signaling, are not applicable here since the primary issue is the lack of leptin production, rather than receptor function.

Thus, metreleptin is the appropriate treatment for individuals with congenital leptin deficiency as it directly addresses the fundamental