 |
|
Study shows direct link between leptin and obesity-related cardiovascular disease
November 11, 2008Obese people who don't have high cholesterol or diabetes might think they're healthy - despite the extra pounds. But new Ohio University research suggests that obesity raises levels of the hormone leptin, which can be as big a threat to the cardiovascular system as cholesterol.
Tadeusz Malinski and colleagues have published the first study to directly observe how high levels of leptin can create a cascade of harmful biochemical changes in the body. Leptin, a peptide hormone produced by fat cells, helps regulate body weight by acting on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite and burn stored fat.
But an excess of fat in the body can produce too much of the hormone, which, in turn, can lower levels of bioavailable nitric oxide. Nitric oxide, produced by the endothelial cells, supports healthy cardiovascular function by relaxing blood vessels and maintaining good blood flow, explained Malinski, who has developed special nanosensors that can detect levels of the substance.
In addition, Malinski found that the high levels of leptin stimulate greater production of superoxide. It reacts with nitric oxide to create peroxynitrite, a very toxic molecule that can impact DNA replication and damage endothelial cells in the vascular system.
"The nanosensors provide a more direct method of determining what processes are occurring in the body. Previously, researchers didn't have a clear idea of how this works," said Malinski, the Marvin and Ann Dilley White Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Ohio University.
The study, which examined the process in single human cells and also obese mice models, was published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Though obesity is closely associated with heart failure, scientists haven't fully understood the relationship, Malinski noted. The new study suggests that increased levels of leptin alone can cause long-term cardiovascular damage similar to hypertension, arthrosclerosis, diabetes and other disorders.
"Now that we know the exact molecules responsible for the damage, we can design a method to mollify the effect of obesity on the cardiovascular system," Malinski said.
The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the Marvin White Endowment and the Biomimetic Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program at Ohio University.
Co-authors on the study were Mykhaylo Korda and Ruslan Kubant, both research associates in the Malinski lab at Ohio University.
Ohio University
In addition, Malinski found that the high levels of leptin stimulate greater production of superoxide. It reacts with nitric oxide to create peroxynitrite, a very toxic molecule that can impact DNA replication and damage endothelial cells in the vascular system.
"The nanosensors provide a more direct method of determining what processes are occurring in the body. Previously, researchers didn't have a clear idea of how this works," said Malinski, the Marvin and Ann Dilley White Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Ohio University.
The study, which examined the process in single human cells and also obese mice models, was published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Though obesity is closely associated with heart failure, scientists haven't fully understood the relationship, Malinski noted. The new study suggests that increased levels of leptin alone can cause long-term cardiovascular damage similar to hypertension, arthrosclerosis, diabetes and other disorders.
"Now that we know the exact molecules responsible for the damage, we can design a method to mollify the effect of obesity on the cardiovascular system," Malinski said.
The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the Marvin White Endowment and the Biomimetic Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program at Ohio University.
Co-authors on the study were Mykhaylo Korda and Ruslan Kubant, both research associates in the Malinski lab at Ohio University.
Ohio University
Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud
This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
Primary Care Nicotine Sarcoma Coffee Alcoholism Stem Cell Research Inflammatory Disease Quantum Physics Menopause Cancer Survival Fruit Fly Malaria Vaccine General Relativity Reproduction Pulsar Fossil Fuel Flooding Cortisol Quantum Computers Ecosystem Rett Syndrome Stem Cell Transplant Vaccine Cancer Care Sickle Cell Disease
See More: Science News Tags
Leptin Current Events and Leptin News RSSStudy further expands understanding of leptin's role in brain neurocircuitry
In investigating the complex neurocircuitry behind weight gain and glucose control, scientists have known that the hormone leptin plays a key role in the process.
Sleep may be factor in weight control
Could sleep be a critical component to maintaining a healthy body weight?
Connections between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease explored
Modern societies face the increasing burden of age-related diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Cancer-obesity link discovery by MSU researchers could aid prevention efforts
A new link between body fat and cancer identified by a Michigan State University researcher underscores obesity's health risk and could lead to new cancer treatment and prevention strategies.
Bad news for insomniacs: 'hunger hormones' affected by poor sleep
Insomnia has long been associated with poor health, including weight gain and even obesity. Now researchers at UCLA have found out why.
U of I study shows benefits of hormone found in fat tissue
It's called the obesity paradox. Although obese people are more apt to suffer from inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, they are also more likely to survive a major attack caused by one of those conditions.
Gladstone scientists reveal that fat synthesizing enzyme is key to healthy skin and hair
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) have found that an enzyme associated with the synthesis of fat in the body is also an element in healthy skin and hair.
Pathologically Elevated Blood Fat Levels in Obesity: Researchers Discover Molecular Causes
Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have discovered a mechanism in liver metabolism that is responsible for pathologically elevated blood fat levels found in severe metabolic disorders.
GEN reports on strategies to overcome blood-brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a major obstacle to the successful delivery of drugs to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders, reports Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News (GEN).
Disabling enzyme allows mice to gorge without becoming obese, new study finds
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified a new enzyme that plays a far more important role than expected in controlling the breakdown of fat.
More Leptin Current Events and Leptin News Articles
 |
Mastering Leptin: Your Guide to Permanent Weight Loss and Optimum Health (Third Edition) by Byron J. Richards (Author), Mary Guignon Richards (Author) First published in 2002, Mastering Leptin is the first and most in-depth book explaining the hormone leptin and its relationship to obesity and difficult weight loss, yo-yo dieting, low energy, heart disease, low thyroid, stress eating, food cravings, and hormonal imbalance. Mastering Leptin cuts through the confusion of countless ways to eat and provides individuals with a workable lifestyle for permanent weight loss. Renowned leptin expert Byron Richards, CCN analyzes over 8,500 leptin-related scientific studies and brings amazing findings to the public in an easy-to-understand format. Learn how to eat in harmony with the fat hormone leptin, reduce food cravings, improve energy, and permanently lose weight. |
 |
Lepti-Trim Daytime Capsules (180 Ct) by Total Body Research Labs Leptin is a TBR Labs science discovery that orchestrates the body's use of fats to accelerate weight maintenance and inch loss. Containing a proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids, Lepti-Trim nourishes the body to reduce cravings for adequate nutrition. |
 |
The Fat Resistance Diet: Unlock the Secret of the Hormone Leptin to: Eliminate Cravings, Supercharge Your Metabolism, Fight Inflammation, Lose Weight & Reprogram Your Body to Stay Thin- by Broadway No more counting carbs, calories, or fat grams! This revolutionary diet plan works with your hormones to curb your appetite, boost your metabolism, take weight off—and never put it on again. Cutting-edge scientific research shows that losing weight is not about carbs, calories, or even willpower—it’s about a hormone called leptin and how it functions in your body. Leptin is your body’s natural weight-loss mechanism: it curbs your appetite and jump-starts your metabolism. And when those hormones are working properly, they make you literally fat resistant! You will lose weight effortlessly and efficiently, and never gain those pounds back. A leading expert in the field of nutritional medicine, Dr. Leo Galland knows that if you’ve struggled to lose weight on diet... |
 |
The Leptin Diet: How Fit Is Your Fat? (Take Charge) by Byron J. Richards (Author) The Leptin Diet explains how to unleash the power of hormones to resolve fatigue, food cravings, thyroid problems, and body weight issues. Mastering the fat hormone leptin is the single most important factor in preventing obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The Leptin Diet contains five simple lifestyle guidelines to get the hormone leptin into balance for permanent weight loss, increased energy, and optimum health. What is Leptin? Fat cells produce the powerful hormone leptin, a primary force instructing metabolism, weight loss, and hormone balance. Leptin communicates directly to your brain, telling the brain how much fat is in storage. It controls appetite, energy, and metabolic rate. Leptin problems are the primary reason for food cravings, overeating, faulty metabolism, the... |
 |
Lepti-Trim Night Time Formula (16 oz) by Total Body Research Labs The Lepti-Trim unique Night Time Formula recognizes what other products and programs do not: you need to replace the suppementation your body periodically eliminates. And since the Lepti-Trim System improves elimination, you especially need this Night Time Formula. Insulin levels are lower while you sleep which allows Lepti-Trim to be especially effective. The Lepti-Trim System is a scientific breakthrough providing inch loss, weight management, and a feeling of light, bright, clean functionality available only from Lepti-Trim. Leptin is a TBR Labs science discovery that orchestrates the body's use of fats to accelerate weight maintenance and inch loss. Containing a proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids, Lepti-Trim nourishes the body to reduce cravings... |
 |
The Fat Resistance Diet: Unlock the Secret of the Hormone Leptin to: Eliminate Cravings, Supercharge Your Metabolism, Fight Inflammation, Lose Weight & Reprogram Your Body to Stay Thin- by Leo Galland (Author) No more counting carbs, calories, or fat grams! This revolutionary diet plan works with your hormones to curb your appetite, boost your metabolism, and take the pounds off for good! Cutting-edge research shows that losing weight is not about carbs, calories, or even willpower—it’s about a hormone called leptin, and how it functions in your body. Leptin is your body’s natural weight-loss mechanism: it curbs your appetite, jump-starts your metabolism, and when working properly makes you literally fat resistant—you will lose weight effortlessly and efficiently and never gain those pounds back. If you’re struggling to lose weight, chances are you are “leptin resistant”—your body no longer responds to leptin, making it impossible for you to slim down. The Fat... |
 |
The Leptin Boost Diet: Unleash Your Fat-Controlling Hormones for Maximum Weight Loss by Ulysses Press A series of recent medical breakthroughs have confirmed what physicians suspected all along — obesity is a hormonal disorder. The Leptin Boost Diet transforms these findings into a unique and easy-to-follow weight-loss program that is perfect for people whose out-of-balance hormones make it impossible to lose weight on other diets. The book shows how to optimize leptin and other fat cell hormones so that the body’s natural chemistry becomes an ally, instead of a barrier, in the fight against fat. Dr. Scott Isaacs, an expert in the field, clearly explains complex topics relating to the newest medical treatments, the endocrinology of fat cell hormones, identifying leptin deficiency, and improving the action of leptin in the body. His program includes clear and concise recommendations on... |
 |
The Leptin Boost Diet: Unleash Your Fat-Controlling Hormones for Maximum Weight Loss by Scott Isaacs (Author) A series of recent medical breakthroughs have confirmed what physicians suspected all along — obesity is a hormonal disorder. The Leptin Boost Diet transforms these findings into a unique and easy-to-follow weight-loss program that is perfect for people whose out-of-balance hormones make it impossible to lose weight on other diets. The book shows how to optimize leptin and other fat cell hormones so that the body’s natural chemistry becomes an ally, instead of a barrier, in the fight against fat. Dr. Scott Isaacs, an expert in the field, clearly explains complex topics relating to the newest medical treatments, the endocrinology of fat cell hormones, identifying leptin deficiency, and improving the action of leptin in the body. His program includes clear and concise recommendations on... |
 |
Total Body Research Labs Lept-Trim Day Time Formula A Dietary Supplement Containing All Natural Ingredients that can help meet your diet goals and maintain your weight 180 Capsules by Total Body Research Balances blood sugar. Builds lean muscle. Accelerates fat breakdown. Controls appetite and sweet cravings. Promotes fat loss. Regulates pituitary and thyroid functions. Influences fat cell size. Stimulates fat burning thermogenesis. Curbs excessive appetite and cravings. Reduces insulin resistance. Inhibits caloric storage of fat. Neutralizes starch and carbs. |
 |
Leptin (Endocrine Updates) by V. Daniel Castracane (Editor), Michael C. Henson (Editor) There are more than 8,000 references in the literature on leptin. Nearly 6,000 of these references are from 2000 to the present, the remaining date back only to 1996. The discovery of this protein hormone has received great interest since leptin effects regulation of body weight, metabolism and reproductive function. This book is an edited collection beginning with the discovery of leptin and a study of its affect on animals and in humans. Chapters will focus on the discovery, history, roles and regulation of leptin in all the major areas of physiology, as well as on assay methods, phylogeny and genetics. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |