Leptin acutely increases hepatic triglyceride secretion in patients with lipodystrophy

Metreleptin ameliorates hepatic steatosis partially independent of its anorexic action. We previously showed that metreleptin increases hepatic very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL1-TG) export in rodents and healthy humans requiring intact hepatic autonomic innervation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether metreleptin has anti-steatotic properties in patients with lipodystrophy by increasing VLDL1-TG export. In addition, we present a case of generalized lipodystrophy undergoing metreleptin treatment after liver transplantation, a model for hepatic autonomic denervation.

In this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (EudraCT 2017-003014-22) we assessed the acute effects of a single metreleptin injection in 10 patients (8 females, 2 males; mean age ± SD: 49 ± 14 yrs; 9 familial partial and 1 generalized lipodystrophy) on hepatic VLDL1-TG secretion and hepatocellular lipid content (HCL) measured via an intravenous fat emulsion test and ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively.

We found that a single injection of metreleptin increased hepatic VLDL1-TG secretion by 75 % (mean difference ± SD: +219 ± 149 mg/h metreleptin vs. placebo; p = 0.001), without significant changes in HCL within 3 h (mean difference ± SD: -8 ± 14 % metreleptin vs. placebo, p = 0.14). Metreleptin therapy in a patient with generalized lipodystrophy following liver transplantation failed to ameliorate hepatic steatosis despite improving glucose and lipid metabolism.

Leptin acutely increases hepatic VLDL1-TG secretion in patients with lipodystrophy, likely contributing to metreleptin's body weight-independent anti-steatotic effects. The case report suggests that intact autonomic liver innervation may be required for this action, warranting further research.