Abstract

LEPTIN CENTERED THERAPY FOR DIABETES: GREAT HOPE FOR IMMINENT

Ishan I. Panchal*, Dhrubo Jyoti Sen, Alkesh K. Patel and Samir K. Shah

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome characterized by the chronic
elevation of blood sugar levels resulting from faults in insulin
secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Leptin is a hormone known to
have positive effects on hunger and energy expenditure and glucose
breakdown. Leptin has beneficial effects on the glucose-insulin
metabolism, by decreasing hyperglycemia, enhancing insulinemia and
insulin resistance. Leptin is a protein of high molecular mass (16 kDa).
Leptin is translated as a 167 amino acid protein with an amino-terminal
secretory signal order of 21 amino acids. Leptin and insulin are
important for weight regulation by controlling appetite levels and can
be important for preventing diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels.
Hypothalamic insulin and leptin signaling play a crucial role in the
regulation of glucose homeostasis and in the development of insulin
resistance. Leptin microinjections into the nucleus of the solitary tract
(NST) have been shown to elicit sympathoexcitatory responses and potentiate the
cardiovascular responses to activation of the chemo reflex.

Keywords: diabetes, leptin, insulin, appetite, weight regulation.