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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: Hypothalamic Neural Mechanism Insights
Published on: August 4, 2023
Leptin, 20 years of searching for glucose homeostasis
Gabriela Fernández-Formoso1, Sonia Pérez-Sieira2, David González-Touceda1
1Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
Abstract:
Leptin was discovered in 1994 (20 years ago). In addition to having well-characterized effects on the regulation of energy homeostasis, leptin clearly also plays a major role in metabolic homeostasis. In fact, leptin plays an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis independent of food intake and body weight. The mechanism underlying the modulation of glucose metabolism by leptin is not completely understood, although evidence indicates that the effect occurs at both the central and peripheral levels. In this review, we will focus on the role of leptin in glucose homeostasis at the central level and its role in insulin secretion and in counteracting hormones, such as glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol and catecholamines.
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