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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

Role of leptin during perinatal metabolic programming and obesity

J Djiane1, L Attig

  • 1UMR 1197 INRA-Univ Paris Sud, NOPA, Neuroendocrinologie Moléculaire de la prise alimentaire (NMPA), 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France.

Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology : an Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society
|October 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Obesity is a growing global epidemic affecting children. Early life nutrition and hormones can irreversibly alter metabolism development, with leptin playing a key role in this developmental programming.

Area of Science:

  • * Developmental biology
  • * Metabolic health
  • * Epidemiology

Background:

  • * Rising global obesity rates, including in children, suggest origins in early life.
  • * The concept of "developmental programming" posits that prenatal and early-life conditions impact long-term metabolic health.
  • * Hypothalamic structures controlling appetite and energy expenditure are key targets of this programming.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To explore the mechanisms of developmental programming in obesity.
  • * To highlight the role of early-life factors in metabolic disease.
  • * To investigate the specific contribution of leptin to developmental programming.

Main Methods:

  • * Review of experimental animal studies and epidemiological data.
  • * Analysis of research on nutritional and hormonal influences during pregnancy and early life.
  • * Examination of studies investigating leptin's function in metabolic regulation.

Main Results:

  • * Evidence supports developmental programming as a significant factor in obesity.
  • * Nutritional and hormonal exposures in early life can permanently affect metabolic organ development.
  • * Leptin emerges as a critical adipokine in mediating developmental programming.

Conclusions:

  • * Early-life interventions are crucial for preventing obesity.
  • * Understanding developmental programming mechanisms is key to combating the obesity epidemic.
  • * Leptin's role in programming warrants further investigation for therapeutic strategies.

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