Journal article
Central leptin pathways in metabolic homeostasis
Clinical science (1979), Vol.139(22), CS20257748
11/17/2025
DOI: 10.1042/CS20257748
PMCID: PMC12751087
PMID: 41251447
Abstract
Obesity continues to be a major global health crisis, contributing to the rising prevalence of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Central to the regulation of energy homeostasis is the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin, which serves as a key afferent signal to the central nervous system to suppress food intake, enhance energy expenditure, and maintain glucose balance. Since its discovery over three decades ago, a wealth of research has illuminated the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms through which leptin exerts its metabolic effects. These foundational studies have delineated the neural circuits, particularly within the hypothalamus and brainstem, that integrate leptin signaling to co-ordinate complex metabolic responses. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding of leptin's metabolic actions, with an emphasis on the intracellular signaling cascades that mediate leptin receptor activation. We also highlight the diverse neuronal populations and brain regions that contribute to leptin's regulatory roles.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Central leptin pathways in metabolic homeostasis
- Creators
- Yuying Zhao - University of IowaConnor Laule - University of IowaKamal Rahmouni - Iowa City VA Health Care System
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Clinical science (1979), Vol.139(22), CS20257748
- DOI
- 10.1042/CS20257748
- PMID
- 41251447
- PMCID
- PMC12751087
- NLM abbreviation
- Clin Sci (Lond)
- ISSN
- 0143-5221
- eISSN
- 1470-8736
- Publisher
- PORTLAND PRESS LTD
- Grant note
- National Institutes of Health: R01 HL162773, R01 HL172944 US Department of Veterans Affairs: I01 BX004249, IK6 BX006040 University of Iowa Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
Funding The authors' work is supported by National Institutes of Health [R01 HL162773 and R01 HL172944] , US Department of Veterans Affairs [I01 BX004249 and IK6 BX006040] , and the University of Iowa Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center to KR. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or US Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/17/2025
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985033848602771
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