The role of leptin in diabetes and its complications

Abstract

Leptin is an important adipokine that is implicated in regulating energy metabolism and appetite to control food intake. However, the serum level of leptin is influenced by various factors, such as diet, lifestyle, and health conditions. The excess of leptin could lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis, which can stimulate the development of diabetes and its complications. Moreover, elevated leptin levels are often observed in individuals with insulin resistance in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which can cause the body to become less responsive to insulinregulating effects, leading to the accumulation of blood glucose. Furthermore, an imbalance in leptin levels can also stimulate endothelial dysfunction, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress, which are linked to the progression of several diabetic complications, including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy. In this chapter, we discuss the role of leptin in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetes and diabetic complications and the potential treatment via the regulation of leptin.