Direct effects of leptin on gluconeogenesis in rat hepatocytes are equivocal, and model systems from other species have not been extensively explored in assessing the regulation of glucose metabolism by leptin. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to compare the effects of leptin on gluconeogenesis in pig and rat hepatocyte cultures as well as to investigate an underlying mechanism of a...

Background: Osteoporosis one of the postmenopausal symptoms is characterized by bone loss. There is a link between excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, estrogen deficiency due to cessation of ovarian function and bone loss. Free radicals are responsible for causing osteoblast apoptosis and reducing osteoblastogenesis in bone remodeling. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant with the a...

Leptin is a hormone produced by adipose tissue that regulates various physiological processes. Recent studies have shown that the level of circulating leptin is elevated in obese patients and have suggested a relationship between obesity and postoperative lymphedema. However, the mechanisms by which postoperative lymphedema develops in obese patients and the mechanisms by which leptin regulates...

Makaverich et al. [Environ Health Perspect 103:574-581 (1995)] reported that the uterotrophic activity of the phytoestrogen coumestrol in the immature ovariectomized rat was atypical in that it was not associated with increased uterine hyperplasia and DNA content. We previously reported that coumestrol gave a typical estradiol-type uterotrophic response in the immature intact rat, yielding incr...

Leptin, the peptide hormone product of the ob gene, regulates food intake and energy expenditure at the hypothalamic level via the long-form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb). Leptin also plays a key role in determining the onset of puberty, but there is controversy as to whether leptin provides a trigger for puberty or is a permissive signal. Thus, although leptin administration can advance puber...

objective(s): the purpose of the present study was to prepare and to evaluate a novel niosome as transdermal drug delivery system for propranolol hydrochloride and to compare the in vitro efficiency of niosome by either thin film hydration or hand shaking method. materials and methods: niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration (tfh) or hand shaking (hs) method. propranolol niosomes were pre...

Leptin is an adipokine which conveys information on energy availability. In humans, leptin influences energy homeostasis and regulates neuroendocrine function primarily in states of energy deficiency. As a cytokine, leptin also affects thymic homeostasis and, similar to other proinflammatory cytokines, leptin promotes Th1 cell differentiation and cytokine production. We review herein recent adv...

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of insulin resistance, characterized by impaired stimulation of glucose disposal into muscle. The mechanisms underlying insulin resistance are unknown. Here we examine the direct effect of leptin, the product of the obesity gene, on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in cultured rat skeletal muscle cells. Preincubation of L6 myotubes with leptin...

AIMS Catecholamines (CA) inhibit leptin secretion. Alcohol appears to have a similar effect. The mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of alcohol is unknown, but CA may play a role as mediators. This hypothesis has never been tested. We decided to do so in the present investigation. METHODS Seven healthy subjects participated in two experiments (A and B), performed in random order, 1 wee...

Adipose tissue secretes leptin, which interacts with receptors in the hypothalamus. In rodent models of obesity, leptin increases metabolism and decreases food intake, which helps to maintain normal body composition. Accurate and precise methods to quantitate circulating leptin concentrations are needed for physiological studies. We developed an RIA to measure leptin in rat plasma, serum, or ad...