Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Body Weight ; Fatty Liver ; etiology ; metabolism ; therapy ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; metabolism

Animals ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Leptin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of topical application of leptin in promoting burn wound healing in rats.

METHODSFour parallel second-degree burn wounds induced on the back of 18 Wistar rats were divided into leptin treatment group (treated with topical application of 400 ng/ml leptin dissolved in PBS) and control group (treated with PBS). The time of wound healing was recorded, and the wound area that was not healed was measured at 3, 7, 11, 15, and 19 days after burns. The tissue at the peripheries of the wound was sampled at 7, 14 and 21 days after burns for pathological examination with HE staining and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) to evaluate the proliferation of keratinocytes.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, leptin-treated wounds showed a shorter time (by 2-3 days) of wound healing, and significant differences were found between the two groups in healing at 7, 11, 15, and 19 days after burns. HE staining and immunohistochemistry revealed a faster rate of epidermis growth and a greater thickness of the cuticular layer in leptin-treated wounds at 7, 14 and 21 days after burns. PCNA positivity in the keratinocytes was stronger in leptin-treated wounds than in the control wounds at 7 and 14 days, but no such distinct difference was noted at 21 days between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONTopical application of leptin can promote re-epithelization in burn wounds to shorten the wound healing time of burns.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Burns ; drug therapy ; Leptin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wound Healing

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility has a crucial role in the food consumption, digestion and absorption, and also controls the appetite and satiety. In obese patients, various alterations of GI motility have been investigated. The prevalence of GERD and esophageal motor disorders in obese patients are higher than those of general population. Gastric emptying of solid food is generally accelerated and fasting gastric volume especially in distal stomach is larger in obese patients without change in accommodation. Contractile activity of small intestine in fasting period is more prominent, but orocecal transit is delayed. Autonomic dysfunction is frequently demonstrated in obese patients. These findings correspond with increased appetite and delayed satiety in obese patients, but causes or results have not been confirmed. Therapeutic interventions of these altered GI motility have been developed using botulinum toxin, gastric electrical stimulation in obese patients. Novel agents targeted for GI hormone modulation (such as ghrelin and leptin) need to be developed in the near future.
Botulinum Toxins/therapeutic use ; Colon/*physiopathology ; Eating ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Esophageal Motility Disorders/etiology/*physiopathology/therapy ; *Gastrointestinal Motility ; Ghrelin/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Intestine, Small/*physiopathology ; Leptin/therapeutic use ; Obesity/*complications ; Satiety Response ; Stomach/innervation/*physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism underlying the protective effects of a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Baoganning, against liver fibrosis.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were subjected to injection of carbon tetrachloride- peanut oil mixture and given daily 5% alcoholic beverage, and 2 days after the injection, Baoganning was administered intragastrically at two different doses for 6 weeks. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect serum leptin level, and immunohistochemistry employed to examine the effect of Baoganning on expressions of leptin and its receptor in the liver tissue of the rats.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the rats in the liver fibrosis model group and Baoganning-treated groups showed significantly increased serum leptin levels (P<0.01), and the serum leptin level was significantly lower in Baoganning group than in the liver fibrosis model group (P<0.01). Baoganning significantly reduced the hepatic expression of leptin and OB-Rb in rats with liver fibrosis in comparison with their expression in the model group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBaoganning can effectively ameliorate liver fibrosis in rats possibly through reducing serum leptin level and inhibiting hepatic leptin and its receptor expressions.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Leptin ; blood ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Radioimmunoassay ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Leptin ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the leptin resistance mechanism of Xiaoyan Decoction (XD) in lung cancer cachexia (LCC) rats.

METHODSAn LCC rat model was established. Totally 40 rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the LCC model group, the XD group, and the positive control group, 10 in each group. After LCC model was set up, rats in the LCC model group were administered with normal saline, 2 mL each time. Rats in the XD group were administered with XD at the daily dose of 2 mL. Those in the positive control group were administered with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate suspension (20 mg/kg) by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 2 mL. All medication lasted for 14 days. The general condition and tumor growth were observed. Serum levels of leptin and leptin receptor in the hypothalamus were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Contents of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and anorexia for genomic POMC were detected using real-time PCR technique.

RESULTSSerum leptin levels were lower in the LCC model group than in the normal control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the LCC model groups, serum leptin levels significantly increased in the XD group (P < 0.01). Leptin receptor levels in the hypothalamus increased significantly in the LCC model group (P < 0.01). Increased receptor levels in the LCC model group indicated that either XD or Medroxyprogesterone Acetate could effectively reduce levels of leptin receptor with statistical significance (P < 0.01). There was also statistical difference between the XD group and the positive control group (P < 0.05). Contents of NPY was higher in the LCC model group than in the other groups with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in NPY between the normal control group and the rest 2 treatment groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in POMC between the normal control group and the LCC model group (P < 0.05). POMC could be decreased in the XD group and the positive control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05), and it was more obviously decreased in the XD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLeptin resistance existed in LCC rats. XD could increase serum leptin levels and reduce leptin receptor levels in the hypothalamus. LCC could be improved by elevating NPY contents in the hypothalamus and reducing POMC contents, promoting the appetite, and increasing food intake from the periphery pathway and the central pathway.

Animals ; Cachexia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Eating ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Leptin ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; Neuropeptide Y ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo evaluate the effect of testosterone (T) on adiponectin serum levels in transsexual female patients.

METHODSWe measured adiponectin, leptin, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, T, estradiol, lipid profile, biochemical parameters and body composition in 16 transsexual female patients at baseline and after 6 months of T treatment (100 mg Testoviron Depot /10 days, i.m.).

RESULTSAdiponectin levels were 16.9 +/- 7.3 mg/mL at baseline and 13.5 +/- 7.4 mg/mL at month 6 of T treatment (P < 0.05). Leptin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly, whereas body mass index, waist circumference and lean body mass increased significantly after 6 months of T treatment. No changes in insulin or Homeostasis Model Assessment were detected.

CONCLUSIONT can significantly reduce adiponectin serum levels in transsexual female patients.

Adiponectin ; secretion ; Adipose Tissue ; drug effects ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; therapeutic use ; Transsexualism ; drug therapy

BACKGROUNDIt is important to identify the multiple sites of leptin activity in obese women with breast cancer. In this study, we examined the effect of exogenous human leptin on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and in a breast carcinoma xenograft model of nude mice.

METHODSWe cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and established nude mice bearing xenografts of these cells, and randomly divided them into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated with human leptin, while the control group was treated with the same volume of normal saline. A real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed to quantify the mRNA expression of HSP70 in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and in tumor tissues. Western blotting analysis was applied to quantify the protein expression of HSP70 in the MCF-7 cells. Immunohistochemical staining was done to assess the positive rate of HSP70 expression in the tumor tissues.

RESULTSLeptin activated HSP70 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro: leptin upregulated significantly the expression of HSP70 at mRNA and protein levels in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in expression of HSP70 mRNA in the implanted tumors between the leptin-treated group and the control group (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in tumor HSP70 expression between the leptin-treated group and the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA nude mouse xenograft model can be safely and efficiently treated with human leptin by subcutaneous injections around the tumor. HSP70 may be target of leptin in breast cancer. Leptin can significantly upregulate the expression of HSP70 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leptin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qingre Yangyin Recipe (QRYYR) on sex hormones and insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

METHODSTotally 90 PCOS patients were randomly assigned to the Chinese herbs group,the Western medicine group, the combined group, 30 in each group. Patients in the Chinese herbs group took QRYYR, one dose per day in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. Patients in the Western medicine group took Metformin 500 mg, twice per day for 3 consecutive months. Patients in the combined group took QRYYR and Metformin (the same as the former said two groups) in the 1st month, and took QRYYR for the following two months. Fasting blood glucose (FPG) and postprandial 2 h blood glucose (2 h GLU) were determined using hexokinase method before and after treatment. Fasting insulin (FINS), postprandial 2 h insulin (2 h INS), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL), and testosterone (T) were detected using chemiluminescent method. Leptin and adiponectin (APN) were determined using ELISA. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Body weight and height were measured once before treatment and once after treatment to calculate body mass index (BMI). The total two-phase basal body temperature (BBT) actually obtained within 3 months was statistically collected to calculate the two-phase BBT rate. Scores for Chinese medical syndromes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, BMI, FINS, 2 h INS, HOMA-IR, leptin, LH, PRL, T, and scores for Chinese medical syndromes obviously decreased, and APN levels increased (P < 0.05). FPG and 2 h FPG obviously decreased in the Western medicine group and the combined group (P < 0.05). E2 levels obviously decreased in the combined group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the Chinese herbs group, the difference of BMI between pre-treatment and post-treatment was more in the combined group (P < 0.05). The difference of FPG,2 h GLU, 2 h INS, HOMA-IR, and APN between pre-treatment and post-treatment was more in the Chinese herbs group and the combined group (P < 0.05). Compared with the Western medicine group, the difference of PRL, T, and scores for Chinese medical syndromes was more in the Western medicine group and the combined group (P < 0.05); the difference of E2 and LH was even more in the combined group (P < 0.05). Compared with the combined group, the biphasic rate was obviously lowered in the Western medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQRYYR could improve IR but with weaker power to that of Metformin. It also could decrease serum levels of LH, T, PRL, and scores for Chinese medical syndromes, with superior effect to that of Metformin. The effect in the combined group was better.

Adiponectin ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Metformin ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; Prolactin ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Tablet (JTXZT) on decreasing the levels of blood glucose and serum lipids in KK-Ay transgenic model mice with diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODSKK-Ay transgenic mice were fed with high fat diet to induce DM obesity model. The C57 mice of the same age were recruited as the control group. Then the modeled KK-Ay mice were divided into 5 groups, i.e., the model group, the Pioglitazone Hydrochloride Tablet treatment group (8 mg/kg, as the positive control group), and the high dose JTXZT group (10 g/kg), the middle dose JTXZT group (5 g/kg), and the low dose JTXZT group (2.5 g/kg), 11 in each group. Eight weeks was taken as one therapeutic course. All medicines were given by gastrogavage. The food intake and body weight were measured every week. The blood glucose level was determined once every 2 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipids (TC and TG), insulin (INS), and leptin (Lep) were assayed 8 weeks after medication. The weight of liver and fat were weighed to calculate their indices. Then the adipose denaturalization of the liver was classified. The numbers of the pancreatic islet and adipocytes were respectively counted.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the food intake and the body weight obviously decreased in the 3 JTXZT groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). From the 6th week, the FBG level obviously decreased in the high dose JTXZT group (P < 0.01). After eight successive weeks of intragastric administration, the levels of TG and INS obviously decreased in the 3 JTXZT groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The Lep level somewhat decreased in the high dose JTXZT group (P < 0.05). The indices of the liver and fat obviously decreased and the number of the pancreatic islet obviously increased in the 3 JTXZT groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The number of adipocytes obviously decreased in the high and middle dose JTXZT groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The liver fatty degeneration was obviously improved in the high dose JTXZT group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJTXZT had obvious effects on decreasing the levels of blood glucose and serum lipids in KK-Ay transgenic model mice with DM obesity.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Insulin ; blood ; Leptin ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Obesity ; blood ; drug therapy