Physiology of leptin: energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function and metabolism

Abstract

Leptin is secreted by adipose tissue and regulates energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, metabolism, immune function and other systems through its effects on the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Leptin administration has been shown to restore metabolic and neuroendocrine abnormalities in individuals with leptin-deficient states, including hypothalamic amenorrhea and lipoatrophy. In contrast, obese individuals are resistant to leptin. Recombinant leptin is beneficial in patients with congenital leptin deficiency or generalized lipodystrophy. However, further research on molecular mediators of leptin resistance is needed for the development of targeted leptin sensitizing therapies for obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Coupling between Nutrient Availability and Thyroid Hormone Activation

“…This is an adaptive response driven by the hypothalamus that includes behavioral as well as metabolic modifications, such as increased sleep, diminished motor activity, and core temperature (1). During fasting, the hormonal milieu is dominated by low levels of insulin and thyroid hormones, which has been proposed as an explanation for the slowdown in weight loss after a few days of caloric restriction (2,3).…”

Critically Discuss the Revival of Leptin for Obesity Therapy

“…When energy imbalance occurs, excessive calories accumulate as triglycerides in adipose tissue, leading to overweight and obesity. Hence, a better understanding of the energy homeostasis in a human body holds the key to finding the exact causes of obesity (Paspala et al, 2012;Szczesna et al, 2013;Chopra et al, 2014;Pan et al, 2014;Crujeiras et al, 2015;Park & Ahima, 2015;Sáinz et al, 2015).…”

“…However, in recent years researchers have demonstrated that a multi-therapy of leptin in combination with other leptin sensitisers may be able to improve peripheral leptin sensitivity and may hold therapeutic promise (Moon et al, 2011;Müller et al, 2012;Matthias, 2014;Crujeiras et al, 2015;Park & Ahima, 2015). These leptin sensitisers target distinct neuroendocrine systems related to leptin signalling pathology.…”

“…Nevertheless, overcoming resistance to the leptin therapy continues to challenge the researchers. In recent years some preclinical studies have surprisingly demonstrated that resistance to leptin can be reversed and the effects of leptin therapy can be amplified by several leptin sensitisers (Moon et al, 2011;Müller et al, 2012;Matthias, 2014;Crujeiras et al, 2015;Park & Ahima, 2015). Accordingly, it is the aim of this paper to critically discuss the plausible revival of leptin for obesity therapy with reference to research findings on various influencing factors contributing to the level of expression and secretion of leptin.…”

Can Avicenna Help Manage the Diabetes Epidemic in Central Asia?

“…It widely recognized that adipose tissue, in addition to being a primary storage of energy, plays a very important role in body metabolism primarily through adipocyte-macrophage interaction, releasing adiponectin, FA and the hormone leptin [80][81][82]. With only about 10% total systemic glucose uptake, adipose tissue may play only a minor quantitative role in postprandial glucose metabolism.…”