Leptin News and Research

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Leptin is a 16 kDa protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure, including appetite and metabolism. It is one of the most important adipose derived hormones. The ''Ob(Lep)'' gene (Ob for obese, Lep for leptin) is located on chromosome 7 in humans.

Study provides insights into the obesity–breast cancer link

Obesity and cancer are two major health challenges of our time, yet the link between them remains only partially understood.

10 Nov 2025

Does fasting earlier in the day improve metabolism? This study says no

In a randomized crossover trial of 31 women with overweight, early and late time-restricted eating (TRE) produced no improvement in insulin sensitivity or cardiometabolic markers under isocaloric conditions. Both schedules, however, shifted internal circadian clocks, highlighting that meal timing affects biological rhythms more than metabolic outcomes.

30 Oct 2025

Fortress, filter, and gatekeeper: New insights into how the blood-brain barrier safeguards the brain

Researchers provide a comprehensive overview of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), detailing its cellular architecture, transport mechanisms, and role in protecting the brain from toxins. The paper highlights how BBB dysfunction contributes to neurological diseases and explores emerging technologies to overcome drug delivery challenges.

21 Oct 2025

Exercise can mitigate depression-like behaviors induced by high-fat, high-sugar diets

Researchers led by Professor Yvonne Nolan at University College Cork have identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioral effects of consuming a Western-style cafeteria diet.

21 Oct 2025

Researchers discover how a brain circuit allows eating despite anxiety

How do mammals manage to eat in situations that cause anxiety, step into exposed spaces, or slow down when anxiety drives them to keep moving? A new study pinpoints a leptin-sensitive circuit in the lateral hypothalamus that helps to overcome anxiety to perform essential behaviors such as exploring, feeding, and limiting maladaptive hyperactivity.

21 Oct 2025

New genetic test can help predict how people will respond to weight-loss medications

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a genetic test that can help predict how people will respond to weight loss medications such as GLP-1s.

17 Sep 2025

Keto diet reduces depression symptoms by 70% in college students

Research indicates a ketogenic diet may serve as an effective adjunct therapy for major depression in college students, improving mood and cognitive abilities.

15 Sep 2025

Ultra-processed foods affect sperm quality and metabolism even without extra calories

A controlled crossover trial in Cell Metabolism found that ultra-processed foods increase weight, fat mass, LDL:HDL cholesterol, and alter reproductive hormones in men, with some effects independent of calorie load. These diets also showed trends toward reduced sperm motility, shifts in pollutants, and transient inflammatory responses, highlighting risks beyond excess calories.

31 Aug 2025

Brain’s energy control map offers blueprint for next-gen weight loss therapies

Scientists map how the brain integrates hormonal and neural signals from the body to control appetite, energy use, and reward pathways, revealing targets for next-generation anti-obesity drugs. This review highlights the interplay between neuroendocrine circuits, neuroplasticity, and pharmacotherapy for durable, non-aversive weight loss.

11 Aug 2025

Leptin could offer alternative to insulin for managing type 1 diabetes complication

More than a decade ago, researchers found that an acute complication of type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), can be resolved with the hormone leptin, even in the absence of insulin.

4 Aug 2025

Metformin’s blood sugar control starts in the brain, not just the liver, study finds

Low, clinically relevant doses of metformin lower blood glucose by inhibiting the Rap1 protein in specific neurons of the hypothalamus, revealing a brain-first mechanism. This action is essential for metformin’s effect at therapeutic doses and highlights new directions for diabetes treatment.

3 Aug 2025

New study shows brain's role in diabetic ketoacidosis

More than a decade ago, researchers found that an acute complication of type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), can be resolved with the hormone leptin, even in the absence of insulin.

1 Aug 2025

The vicious circle of aging and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD) and aging are locked in a vicious circle: senescence of liver cells accelerates fat accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis, while chronic steatosis in turn hastens hepatic decline.

1 Aug 2025

New study uncovers how prior obesity impacts viral consequences

A study comparing the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lean and obese primates found different long-term consequences of the virus depending on prior obesity and metabolic disease. The results, which also highlighted how widespread long COVID symptoms are in animals, were published July 24th in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Charles Roberts of Oregon Health & Science University, USA, and colleagues.

25 Jul 2025

Gut-brain axis in eating disorders offers new treatment potential

Understanding the gut-brain axis is key to addressing eating disorders. This study highlights microbiota's influence and emerging therapeutic approaches.

16 Jul 2025

Does pomegranate seed oil really help your heart? New research weighs the evidence

This review explores the potential of punicic acid in pomegranate seed oil as a nutraceutical for cardiovascular health. While preclinical evidence is promising, robust human trials are needed to confirm its benefits.

10 Jul 2025

US children who eat more fruit have less abdominal fat

Research shows that increased fruit consumption is associated with reduced abdominal fat in children, highlighting its importance in obesity prevention.

23 Jun 2025

FDA-approved drug may help restore breathing in obesity-related sleep disorder

Researchers from the George Washington University have uncovered promising evidence in an animal study that shows setmelanotide, an FDA-approved medication for a rare genetic obesity disorder, may offer a pathway for treating a life-threatening form of sleep-disordered breathing called Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.

17 Jun 2025

Could a diabetes drug be the key to stopping Alzheimer’s?

Investigating tirzepatide's role in Alzheimer's reveals its potential to improve brain function and reduce inflammation, linking diabetes and neurodegeneration.

17 Jun 2025

What happens to your body and mind during a five-day water fast?

A five-day water-only fast led to significant weight, fat, and lean muscle loss in middle-aged women, along with improved mood and marked changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers. The study also found that psychological traits like emotional intelligence and impulsivity influenced the amount of fat and muscle lost during fasting.

9 Jun 2025

Leptin News and Research

Further Reading

Study provides insights into the obesity–breast cancer link

Does fasting earlier in the day improve metabolism? This study says no

Fortress, filter, and gatekeeper: New insights into how the blood-brain barrier safeguards the brain

Exercise can mitigate depression-like behaviors induced by high-fat, high-sugar diets

Researchers discover how a brain circuit allows eating despite anxiety

New genetic test can help predict how people will respond to weight-loss medications

Keto diet reduces depression symptoms by 70% in college students

Ultra-processed foods affect sperm quality and metabolism even without extra calories

Brain’s energy control map offers blueprint for next-gen weight loss therapies

Leptin could offer alternative to insulin for managing type 1 diabetes complication

Metformin’s blood sugar control starts in the brain, not just the liver, study finds

New study shows brain's role in diabetic ketoacidosis

The vicious circle of aging and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

New study uncovers how prior obesity impacts viral consequences

Gut-brain axis in eating disorders offers new treatment potential

Does pomegranate seed oil really help your heart? New research weighs the evidence

US children who eat more fruit have less abdominal fat

FDA-approved drug may help restore breathing in obesity-related sleep disorder

Could a diabetes drug be the key to stopping Alzheimer’s?

What happens to your body and mind during a five-day water fast?

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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