Leptin: Master Regulator of Biological Functions that Affects Breathing.

Leptin: Master Regulator of Biological Functions that Affects Breathing. Compr Physiol. 2020 Jul 08;10(3):1047-1083 Authors: Gauda EB, Conde S, Bassi M, Zoccal DB, Almeida Colombari DS, Colombari E, Despotovic N Abstract Obesity is a global epidemic in developed countries accounting for many of the metabolic and cardiorespiratory morbidities that occur in adults. These morbidities include type 2 diabetes, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), obstructive sleep apnea, chronic intermittent hypoxia, and hypertension. Leptin, produced by adipocytes, is a master regulator of metabolism and of many other biological functions including central and peripheral circuits that control breathing. By binding to receptors on cells and neurons in the brainstem, hypothalamus, and carotid body, leptin links energy and metabolism to breathing. In this comprehensive article, we review the central and peripheral locations of leptin's actions that affect cardiorespiratory responses during health and disease, with a particular focus on obesity, SDB, and its effects during early development. Obesity-induced hyperleptinemia is associated with centrally mediated hypoventilation with decrease CO2 sensitivity. On the other hand, hyperleptinemia augments peripheral chemoreflexes to hypoxia and induces sympathoexcitation. Thus, "leptin resistance" in obesity is relative. We delineate the circuits responsible for these divergent effects, including signaling pathways. ...
Source: Comprehensive Physiology - Category: Physiology Tags: Compr Physiol Source Type: research