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The human hormone leptin regulates appetite, helping keep body weight in check.
But new research reveals leptin therapy could also combat the adult-onset form of diabetes.
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University of Florida neuroscientists say they have used leptin gene therapy to prevent type two diabetes in lab rats and mice. The study aimed to duplicate the effects of the calorie-dense diet of many Americans. Eating rich and fatty foods causes blood glucose levels to rise, triggering the body to produce more insulin and, over time, increasing the risk of developing diabetes. Two groups of animals were fed a high-fat diet. One group received injections of leptin gene therapy, and the other did not. The gene-treated animals’ blood glucose and insulin levels stayed normal and the animals remained diabetes-free. The animals that did not receive the gene therapy maintained very high blood insulin levels.
Dr. Satya Kalra / UF neuroscientist
“We were successful in keeping the blood levels of insulin low and at the same time keeping the blood glucose levels at a normal stage. In other words, we were able to correct diabetes in these animals under various challenges.”
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Researchers say this is the first time the leptin hormone has been shown to regulate insulin secretion. Furthermore, rodents that got leptin gene therapy also lived longer than obese rodents that did not receive the therapy. Experts say eventually the research could yield new treatments for people with diabetes, including gene therapy or drugs that mimic the effects of leptin.
Dr. Satya Kalra / UF neuroscientist
“Until now there was no evidence that the leptin action in the hypothalamus has a control on insulin secretion. So this is totally unexpected and we’re quite excited about it; that we’re discovering a new site of action of leptin.”
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At the University of Florida Health Science Center, I’m Mike Garrison.
