• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.176-181
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• 2008

Purpose: The adipocyte-derived cytokine leptin plays a major role in the control of stable body weight by suppressing food intake and increasing energy metabolism. Leptin regulates the cell proliferation of various epithelial cells and it may be involved in the promotion of cancer. Leptin and its receptor are highly expressed in gastric adenocarcinoma, but the association between the serum leptin level and the tissue expression of leptin is uncertain. We evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and leptin receptor in gastric cancer, and we explore the possible mechanism and role of leptin in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: 72 carcinomas that were curatively resected at our hospital from October 2005 to March 2007 were included in this study. By immunoassay and immunohistochemical staining, we evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and its receptor, and we analyzed their relationship together with the clinicopathological variables. Results: The serum leptin level was increased as the patient's BMI increased and it was decreased in H. pylori infected patients. The expression of leptin was increased as the TNM stage increased (P=0.014), and the expression of leptin receptor in the intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma was higher than that in the diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma (71.4% vs 28.6%, respectively, P=0.033). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between the serum leptin level and expression of leptin in gastric cancer patients. The expression of leptin was associated with the TNM stage, but its role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer has to be elucidated.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.8-16
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• 2005

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is primarily produced and released from adipocytes and acts on the hypothalamus to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure. Defect in leptin or leptin receptors results in severe metabolic syndromes such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension Evidence suggests that leptin plays beyond a satiety factor; in fact, it is a pluripotent player In regulation of numerous body functions. Although its actions have been relatively well studied in mammals scanty data are available in birds. In this article, recent advances in understanding of the roles of leptin in chicken physiology are reviewed with the focus on the effects on food intake, lipid metabolism, development and reproduction, and stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

Fatness is one of the most important economic traits in pigs. The leptin receptor (LEPR) gene may be a potential candidate for the fatness quantitative trait locus (QTL) on porcine chromosome 6, due to its position and physiological role. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the associations between structural variants in the LEPR gene and economic traits in pigs. We obtained an approximately 114-kb sequence containing the complete genomic DNA of the porcine LEPR gene, using shotgun sequencing of a bacterial artificial chromosome clone. We report the complete genomic structure of the porcine LEPR gene. Dozens of transcription factor-binding sites were found in the 1.2 kb upstream region from the transcription start point. An association study was performed with 550 Duroc pigs for 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 6 SNPs within exons and 18 SNPs within the putative 5‘ regulatory region of the porcine LEPR gene. Among them, one SNP (−790C/G) was significantly associated with backfat thickness and lean meat percentage, whereas the others, including two SNPs with missense polymorphisms, had no effect on any phenotype. These results suggest that SNP −790C/G may be a useful marker for genetic improvements of fatness and leanness in Duroc pigs.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.219-223
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the body composition, biochemical parameters, and consumption of convenience foods according to leptin receptor polymorphism in university students. A survey was conducted on a total of 418 students - 271 males and 147 females. Based on a self-reporting method, questionnaires were administered for over 20 minutes, and leptin receptor and blood samples were analyzed. The genotype frequencies of leptin receptor polymorphism were Gln/Arg heterozygote (64.8%) and Gln/Gln homozygote (35.2%). Leptin polymormphism showed no significant association with biochemical parameters(ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and hemoglobin) and body composition. GG homozygote was associated with a higher risk of visceral fat obesity compared to those with GA heterozygote (odd ratio 1.758, 95% confidence intervals 0.812~3.803). Leptin polymorphism appeared to be a genetic risk factor for visceral fat obesity. This study suggests that leptin polymorphism has a causative role to body fat distribution in Korean.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2015

Purpose: There is a fair amount of evidence indicating that increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance is associated with postmenopausal state, but can be modulated by diet and exercise. In this study, we explored whether a Pueraria lobata root-based supplement containing Rehmannia glutinosa (PR) and/or aerobic treadmill exercise can modify the metabolic changes associated with estrogen deficiency. Methods: Seventy rats were randomly assigned to the following groups for 8 weeks (n=10 per group): SHAM, sham-operated; PR0, ovariectomized (OVX) control; PR200, OVX with PR200 mg/kg B.W; PR400, OVX with PR400 mg/kg B.W; EPR0, OVX with exercise; EPR200, OVX with exercise and PR200 mg/kg B.W; EPR400, OVX with exercise and PR400 mg/kg B.W. Results: OVX induced significant increases in body weight, food intake, fat mass, LDL-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose, confirming induction of menopausal symptoms. PR supplementation or exercise significantly suppressed the above mentioned changes through different regulatory elements in adipose tissue: PR supplement upregulated adiponectin gene expression and aerobic exercise upregulated adiponectin and insulin receptor gene expression and a combination of PR supplement and aerobic exercise showed an additive effect on adiponectin gene expression. Conclusion: Taken together, the results of this study suggest that PR supplement has a potential to provide health benefits in OVX rats through leptin and adiponectin secretion. In addition, the data suggest that combination of exercise and PR would have additive effects on metabolic dysfunction associated with estrogen deficiency.