Research Perspective Volume 6, Issue 2 pp 92—97

Figure 1. Distinct mechanisms underlie the anti-diabetic actions of leptin in the context of insulin deficiency versus insulin resistance.

Schematic figures depicting pathways by which leptin exerts anti-diabetic actions: (A) leptin acts on leptin receptors in hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to regulate hepatic insulin sensitivity hence improve glucose levels in the blood of T2DM mice [17]. (B) leptin acts on leptin receptors in hypothalamic POMC and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons to regulate liver, interscapular brown adipose tissue and soleus muscle function to reduce glucose levels in the blood of T1DM mice [4]. LHA; lateral hypothalamic area, ARC; hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, DMH; dorsomedial nucleus and VMH; ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Anatomical location of LHA, ARC and DMH is shown in blue-colored circle [48]. POMC neurons are depicted in green while GABAergic neurons in blue.