Cited by 575Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic DiseasesRegulation of Appetite and ObesityAdipose Tissue and Metabolism

Control of energy homeostasis and insulin action by adipocyte hormones: leptin, acylation stimulating protein, and adiponectin

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Havel, Peter J.·2002·Current Opinion in Lipidology

Abstract

Adipose tissue performs complex metabolic and endocrine functions. This review will focus on the recent literature on the biology and actions of three adipocyte hormones involved in the control of energy homeostasis and insulin action, leptin, acylation-stimulating protein, and adiponectin, and mechanisms regulating their production. Results from studies of individuals with absolute leptin deficiency (or receptor defects), and more recently partial leptin deficiency, reveal leptin's critical role in the normal regulation of appetite and body adiposity in humans. The primary biological role of leptin appears to be adaptation to low energy intake rather than a brake on overconsumption and obesity. Leptin production is mainly regulated by insulin-induced changes of adipocyte metabolism. Consumption of fat and fructose, which do not initiate insulin secretion, results in lower circulating leptin levels, a consequence which may lead to overeating and weight gain in individuals or populations consuming diets high in energy derived from these macronutrients. Acylation-stimulating protein acts as a paracrine signal to increase the efficiency of triacylglycerol synthesis in adipocytes, an action that results in more rapid postprandial lipid clearance. Genetic knockout of acylation-stimulating protein leads to reduced body fat, obesity resistance and improved insulin sensitivity in mice. The primary regulator of acylation-stimulating protein production appears to be circulating dietary lipid packaged as chylomicrons. Adiponectin increases insulin sensitivity, perhaps by increasing tissue fat oxidation resulting in reduced circulating fatty acid levels and reduced intramyocellular or liver triglyceride content. Adiponectin and leptin together normalize insulin action in severely insulin-resistant animals that have very low levels of adiponectin and leptin due to lipoatrophy. Leptin also improves insulin resistance and reduces hyperlipidemia in lipoatrophic humans. Adiponectin production is stimulated by agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma; an action may contribute to the insulin-sensitizing effects of this class of compounds. The production of all three hormones is influenced by nutritional status. These adipocyte hormones, the pathways controlling their production, and their receptors represent promising targets for managing obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance.

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  1. Barzilai N, She L, Liu L, et al. Decreased visceral adiposity accounts for leptin effect on hepatic but not peripheral insulin action. Am J Physiol 1999; 277:E291±E298.
  2. Havel PJ, Stanhope KL, Moreno-Aliaga MJ, et al. Potential role for mitochondrial metabolism in regulating leptin production by cultured rat adipocytes. Obes Res 1999; 7:63S.
  3. Murray I, Sniderman AD, Cianflone K. Enhanced triglyceride clearance with intraperitoneal human acylation stimulating protein in C57BL/6 mice. Am J Physiol 1999; 277:E474±E480.
  4. Yamauchi T, Kamon J, Waki H, et al. The mechanisms by which both heterozygous PPARgamma deficiency and PPARgamma agonist improve insulin resistance. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:41245±41254. 102
  5. Cnop M, Landchild ML, Vidal J, et al. The concurrent accumulation of intra- abdominal and subcutaneous fat explains the association between insulin resistance and plasma leptin concentrations: distinct metabolic effects of two fat compartments. Diabetes; (in press).

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Authors
Havel, P. J.
Affiliations
University of California, Davis (US)
Corresponding author
Havel, Peter J.
Venue
Current Opinion in Lipidology
Published
2002-02
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
51-59
ISSN
0957-9672 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2068491028
Cited by
575
References
103
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 28
FWCI
8.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Lipidology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
Keywords
leptin, acylation stimulating protein, adiponectin, energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, leptin deficiency, leptin receptor, appetite regulation, adiposity, obesity, hyperlipidemia, lipoatrophy, fat oxidation, chylomicrons, dietary fat, fructose, insulin signaling, PPARγ, triglyceride synthesis
MeSH terms
Animals, Blood Proteins, Energy Metabolism, Homeostasis, Humans, Insulin, Proteins, Complement C3a, Adipocytes, Leptin, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Adiponectin

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