Leptin in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A narrative review

Abstract Leptin, the first described adipokine, interplays with hepatic metabolism. The aim of this review was to summarize available data on the association between leptin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Leptin has a potential dual action on NAFLD experimental models, exerting a possi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Metabolism, clinical and experimental clinical and experimental, 2015, Vol.64 (1), p.60-78
Main Authors: Polyzos, Stergios A, Kountouras, Jannis, Mantzoros, Christos S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Body Mass Index
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Humans
Insulin resistance
Leptin
Leptin - metabolism
Leptin resistance
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - metabolism
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - physiopathology
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Observational Studies as Topic
Weight Loss - physiology
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Summary:Abstract Leptin, the first described adipokine, interplays with hepatic metabolism. The aim of this review was to summarize available data on the association between leptin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Leptin has a potential dual action on NAFLD experimental models, exerting a possible anti-steatotic, but also a proinflammatory and profibrogenic action. Observational clinical studies have shown higher or similar leptin levels between simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) compared with controls. Interventional studies showed that circulating leptin diminishes together with body mass index after successful weight loss following lifestyle modifications or bariatric surgery. Studies providing evidence for the effect of other medications on leptin levels in NAFLD populations are limited and of low power. Data from small studies claim that recombinant leptin administration had a possibly beneficial effect on steatosis, but not fibrosis, in NAFLD patients with hypoleptinemia. Although the aforementioned dual leptin action has not yet been validated in humans, leptin administration in NAFLD patients with normoleptinemia or hyperleptinemia is discouraged. Further well-controlled studies in cautiously selected populations are needed to elucidate whether leptin has any prognostic and therapeutic role in NAFLD patients.
ISSN:0026-0495
1532-8600
DOI:10.1016/j.metabol.2014.10.012