Elevation of Breast Milk Leptin Levels by Laughter

Introduction

Emotions modulate endocrinological and immunological responses. Negative emotions such as stress elevates blood glucose levels, while positive emotions such as laughter lessens the increase in postprandial blood glucose [1] [2]. In patients with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS), symptoms are often exacerbated by stress and blunted hypothalamus-pituitary axis responsiveness to stress [3]. I have previously reported that stress enhances allergic skin wheal responses while laughter reduces those responses in AEDS patients [4] [5] [6]. Leptin is a protein secreted from adipocyte and is involved in regulation of energy metabolism and food intake [7]. However, leptin was also involved in stress responses and regulates hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis responses. Indeed, stress decreases plasma leptin levels in non-atopic subjects [8] [9]. Recently, one report also found leptin to be expressed in human mammary cells and breast milk [10]. These reports prompted me to study the effect of laughter on leptin levels in blood and breast milk in lactating AEDS patients.

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