Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Leptin reduces hepatic lipid content in lipodystrophic and overweight, relatively hypoleptinemic NAFLD patients. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. In rodents, the anti-steatotic action of leptin is mediated by an increase in VLDL secretion and depends on an intact vagal innervation of the liver.Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, we study the effects of a single metreleptin injection (0.1 mg/kg body w...

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a systemic, metabolic condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Defined by an increase in hepatic lipid content (HCL), NAFLD develops in consequence of lipid oversupply and/or a diminished disposal of hepatic lipids. The latter may include an impaired export of triglycerides (TG) via the secretion of very-low density lipoprotein1 (VLDL1) particles, an important mechanism of the liver to protect itsel...

Objective: Treatment with metreleptin ameliorates hepatic steatosis in patients with lipodystrophy. The anti-steatotic effect of metreleptin is partially independent of its anorexic action, which suggests a direct effect of metreleptin on hepatic lipid metabolism. However, this mechanism is unknown. Based on previous findings in rodents, we hypothesized that metreleptin reduces hepatic lipid content by stimulating very-low density lipoprotein triglyceride (VLDL1-TG) secretion,...