In obese Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with mutant leptin receptors, pancreatic islets have an approximately 50-fold increase in fat (TG), overproduce nitric oxide (NO), and lack a normal proinsulin mRNA response to fatty acids. We overexpressed the wild-type full-length "b" isoform of the leptin receptor (OB-Rb) in ZDF islets by perfusing ZDF pancreata with recombinant adenovirus containing...

We have studied mechanisms by which leptin overexpression, which reduces body weight via anorexic and thermogenic actions, induces triglyceride depletion in adipocytes and nonadipocytes. Here we show that leptin alters in pancreatic islets the mRNA of the genes encoding enzymes of free fatty acid metabolism and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2). In animals infused with a recombinant adenovirus conta...

OBJECTIVE Leptin resistance is a common hallmark of obesity. Rats on a free-choice high-fat high-sugar (fcHFHS) diet are resistant to peripherally administered leptin. The aim of this study was to investigate feeding responses to central leptin as well as the associated changes in mRNA levels in hypothalamic and mesolimbic brain areas. DESIGN AND METHODS Rats on a CHOW or fcHFHS diet for 8 da...

A study was conducted to elucidate hormonal control of leptin receptor gene expression in primary cultures of porcine hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated from pigs (52 kg) and seeded into collagen-coated T-25 flasks. Monolayer cultures were established in medium containing fetal bovine serum for 1 day and switched to a serum-free medium for the remainder of the 3-day culture period. To estab...

The positive correlation between leptin and body fat mass has caused some investigators to speculate that leptin resistance contributes to obesity. Loss of ovarian function in human and rat is associated with increased fat mass gain and increased circulating leptin levels. To study whether ovariectomy produces leptin resistance, Sprague-Dawley female rats were ovariectomized or sham operated an...

OBJECTIVE Obesity predisposes individuals to congestive heart failure (CHF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Leptin regulates energy homeostasis, is elevated in obesity, and influences ventricular and vascular remodeling. We tested the hypothesis that leptin levels are associated with greater risk of CHF, CVD, and mortality in elderly individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We evaluated 818...

Aim of the Work: To investigate the effect of low calorie diet alone and the effect of low calorie diet and exercise on the levels of thyroid hormones, leptin, and BMI. Also we tried to investigate if there is a relation between thyroid hormones and leptin levels. Subjects and Methods: Two groups of normal male subjects, each group consists of 25 person matched for age and BMI. Group I had low ...

Previous studies suggest a possible link between leptin and decreased lipid levels, however, the role of leptin in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia remains unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of administering leptin on plasma and tissue lipids in mice fed a high-fat diet. Feeding a high-fat diet (2% cholesterol, 0.125% bile salts, 5% peanut oil) to four-week-old healthy...