The treatment of rats and mice with leptin causes dramatic body fat reduction and in some cases even disappearance of fat tissue. Here, we report the effects of leptin (10 and 100 ng´mL 21 ) on isolated rat adipocytes maintained for 15 h in culture. Leptin decreased the incorporation of acetate into total lipids by 30%. A reduction in this incorporation (42%) was still observed after the leptin-cultivated adipocytes were exposed to a supraphysiological insulin concentration (10 000 mU´mL 21). On the other hand, leptin increased acetate degradation by 69% and the maximal activity of citrate synthase by 50% in isolated adipocytes. It also increased oleate degradation by 35 and 50% at concentrations of 10 and 100 ng´mL 21 , respectively. Eventually, leptin upregulated the uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) mRNA level by 63% and had no effect on uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) mRNA in isolated adipocytes. The upregulation of UCP2 mRNA might have contributed to the stimulation of acetate and fatty acid degradation by leptin. The peripheral effects of leptin observed in this study are in line with the general energy dissipating role postulated for this hormone and for UCP2. They suggest mechanisms by which adipocytes regulate their fat content by an autocrine pathway without the participation of the central nervous system.

Leptin directly increases the rate of exogenous glucose and fatty acids oxidation in isolated adipocytes. However, the effects of leptin on fatty acid metabolism in white adipose tissue have not been examined in detail. Here, we report that in adipocytes incubated for 6 h in the presence of leptin (10 ng/ml), the insulin-stimulated de novo fatty acid synthesis was inhibited by 36% (P<0·05), while the exogenous oxidation of acetic and oleic acids was increased by 50% and 76% respectively. Interestingly, leptin did not alter the oxidation of intracellular fatty acids. Leptinincubated cells presented a 16-fold increase in the incorporation of oleic acid into triglyceride (TG) and a 123% increase in the intracellular TG hydrolysis (as measured by free fatty acids release). Fatty acid-TG cycling was not affected by leptin. By employing fatty acids radiolabeled with 3 H and 14 C, we could determine the concomitant influx of fatty acids (incorporation of fatty acids into TG) and efflux of fatty acids (intracellular fatty acids oxidation and free fatty acids release) in the incubated cells. Leptin increased by 30% the net efflux of fatty acids from adipocytes. We conclude that leptin directly inhibits de novo synthesis of fatty acids and increases the release and oxidation of fatty acids in isolated rat adipocytes. These direct energy-dissipating effects of leptin may play an important role in reducing accumulation of fatty acids into TG of rat adipose cells.

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The OB protein, also known as leptin, is secreted by adipose tissue, circulates in the blood, probably bound to a family of binding proteins, and acts on central neural networks regulating ingestive behavior and energy balance. The two forms of leptin receptors (long and short forms) have been identified in various peripheral tissues, a fact that makes them possible target sites for a direct action of leptin. It has been shown that the OB protein interferes with insulin secretion from pancreatic islets, reduces insulin-stimulated glucose transport in adipocytes, and increases glucose transport, glycogen synthesis and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle. Under normoglycemic and normoinsulinemic conditions, leptin seems to shift the flux of metabolites from adipose tissue to skeletal muscle. This may function as a peripheral mechanism that helps control body weight and prevents obesity. Data that substantiate this hypothesis are presented in this review.