Fat Hormone Leptin May Control Diabetes

Leptin May Control Gene in Liver That Reverses Diabetes

Jan. 5, 2010 -- The so-called fat hormone leptin may play a key role in controlling and potentially reversing diabetes, a role that has nothing to do with its link to weight loss.

The hormone leptin has been nicknamed the fat hormone after numerous studies have shown it promotes weight loss, which in turn has a beneficial effect on diabetes control.

But a new study suggests that small amounts of leptin -- too small to promote weight loss -- are enough to control the activity of a gene known as IGFBP2 in the liver that improves diabetes in animals and may have the same effect in people.

"It was surprising to me how potent leptin was in treating diabetes," researcher Jeffrey Friedman of Rockefeller University says in a news release. "It had a highly significant impact at plasma levels that were undetectable."

Researchers say the findings confirm that leptin’s beneficial effects on diabetes control are independent of the hormone’s weight loss effects. Previous studies have shown that treatment with hormone leptin corrects high blood sugar and insulin levels in mice and people with low levels of the hormone.

To examine leptin’s effects on diabetes control, researchers first identified the lowest dose of leptin that improved insulin resistance and diabetes without causing animals to eat less or lose weight.

They then looked at the effects of these low doses of leptin on activity of genes in the animals’ livers.

The results, published in Cell Metabolism, showed leptin increased IGFBP2 in obese and diabetic mice and reversed their diabetes. Researchers also found mice treated with the fat hormone responded to insulin three times better than untreated mice.

Further studies will be needed to determine if leptin treatment in people has the same positive effects on diabetes control.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.