Which hormone, produced by adipose cells, decreases appetite when released?

Leptin is a hormone produced by adipose (fat) cells that plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance by inhibiting hunger. When fat stores increase, leptin levels rise, sending signals to the brain to reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure. This mechanism helps maintain body weight by balancing food intake and energy use.

Higher levels of leptin are associated with feelings of fullness and decreased motivation to eat, while lower levels typically indicate hunger, prompting food-seeking behavior. This feedback loop is vital for body weight homeostasis.

In contrast, insulin, while also involved in hunger signaling, primarily regulates blood sugar levels and does not directly decrease appetite to the same extent as leptin. Ghrelin is known as the "hunger hormone" because it stimulates appetite, and cortisol is a stress hormone that can affect eating behavior but does not have a primary role in appetite suppression like leptin does. Thus, the correct choice clearly reflects the role of leptin in appetite regulation.