Increase in plasma leptin and Lep mRNA concentrations by food intake is dependent on insulin

Obese (Lep) gene expression and leptin secretion are regulated by changes in food intake. However, the mechanism by which leptin concentrations are altered by fasting and feeding is unclear. Since these changes occur in parallel with changes in plasma insulin, it is possible that the changes observed are mediated by insulin. To test this hypothesis, we studied the role of insulin in the regulation of Lep gene expression in epididymal fat and leptin secretion during feeding. As shown previously, fasted animals showed significant reductions in Lep mRNA, plasma leptin, and plasma insulin concentrations. Conversely, feeding increased plasma insulin, Lep mRNA, and plasma leptin. In streptozotocin (STZ)-treated animals, plasma insulin concentrations were low. This was associated with low Lep mRNA and plasma leptin concentrations. Changes in food intake, whether fasting or feeding, did not significantly alter plasma insulin levels in STZ-treated animals. Under these circumstances, Lep mRNA and plasma leptin concentrations also remained low. Our results demonstrate that the decrease in Lep mRNA and plasma leptin during fasting and the increase with feeding are dependent on changes in the plasma insulin concentration.