Life without leptin
Article Abstract:
Leptin is required for the initiation of puberty and establishment of secondary sexual characteristics, according to research undertaken on adult humans who are genetically deficient in leptin signalling. This research also supports the view that leptin plays a key role in the control of body fat mass in humans. It is also believed that leptin is involved in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Both humans and mice require leptin for controlling body fat mass and regulating reproduction, but other consequences of absent leptin signalling seem to differ between humans and mice.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Role of leptin in fat regulation
Article Abstract:
Administration of leptin decreases body weight and adipose tissue mass not entirely attributable to a decrease in the food intake of mice. Leptin appears to produce an increase in noradrenaline turnover to interscapular brown adipose tissue, but seems to have no influence on white adipose tissue. The role of leptin probably involves influencing the sympathetic nervous system to increase thermogenesis and energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue as the mass of body fat increases.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Cardiac and adipose tissue abnormalities but not diabetes in mice deficient in GLUT4
Article Abstract:
Research on the GLUT4 glucose transporter indicates that it is necessary for normal growth, metabolic processing of fat and cellular glucose, and longevity in mice. A study of mice with deficient GLUT4 found that it was not needed for glycaemia.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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