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Regulation of blood glucose levels and body fat is critical for survival. Leptin circulates freely in blood and controls body weight and food intake mainly through hypothalamic receptors and regulates glucose metabolism in the liver both directly through leptin receptors and indirectly via the hypothalamic receptors of central nervous system. Leptin affects food intake regulation and eventually glucose metabolism, lipometabolism, endocrine and immune functions, reproductive function, adipose tissue metabolism and energy expenditure. Leptin also exerts peripheral effects directly on glucose metabolism and gluconeogenesis. Most of obese human subjects have elevated plasma levels of leptin associated to the size of their total adipose tissue mass. Hence gluconeogenic function may be an essential factor in the regulation of nutritional intake and weight gain. The aim of this review is therefore to identify and module the possible effects of leptin with special application in gluconeogenesis. In addition, this review includes the study of fat consumption and energy expenditure in the body. Specific modulation of leptin receptors and adipose tissues functioning could have important inference on therapeutic strategies.

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The upsurge in copper oxide nanoparticle (CuONP) applications in various fields triggers hazardous effects on health. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in plants of stilbene class, has been reported to decrease oxidative stress. The current study investigated the protective effect of resveratrol (RVT) against CuONP-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. CuONPs were prepared by precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Average crystallite size, lattice parameters (a, b, and c), volume of unit cell, and X-ray density were found to be 33 nm, (a = 4.691 Å, b = 3.409 Å, and c = 5.034 Å), 79.4 Å, and 6.506 g/cm, respectively, from XRD pattern. SEM showed uniform morphology of synthesized nanoparticles. Severe hepatic and renal injury was found in CuONP (300 mg/kg/day intragastrically (i.g.)) group after 7 days as shown by significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, and total oxidant status along with histopathological alterations. Resveratrol (60 mg/kg) treatment prevented the toxic effects induced by CuONPs. In conclusion, our data showed protective activity of resveratrol against toxic effects of copper oxide nanoparticles presumably through its antioxidant properties. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

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Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are being used extensively in manufacturing skin lotions and food products and in various biological and pharmaceutical industries because of their immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. In this study, ZnONPs were synthesized by a precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to investigate their structural, morphological, and optical properties. For in vivo evaluation, 40 healthy albino mice were randomly allocated to four equal groups among which the first one was the control group, while the second, third, and fourth were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl), a blend of CCl and ZnONPs, and ZnONPs alone, respectively, for 21 days. The XRD analysis confirmed hexagonal wurtzite type structures having an average crystallite size of 41.54 nm. The morphology of ZnONPs analyzed through SEM showed uniform distribution of the grains and shape of the synthesized oxide. The energy band gap of the ZnONPs was found to be 3.498 eV. Hepatic and renal damage following CCl administration was apparent after 14 days and was increased at the 21st day, showing nodular fibrotic masses in the liver and bumpy surfaces in the kidney as observed by gross and histological examination. Coadministration of ZnONPs (15 mg/kg b.w. intragastrically 5 days a week) significantly prevented the CCl-dependent increases in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, creatinine, and urea levels, suggesting a protective potential of ZnONPs.

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