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Rhythmic Leptin Is Required For Weight Gain From Circadian Desynchronized Feeding In The Mouse, Deanna M. Arble, Martha H. Vitaterna, Fred W. Turek

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The neuroendocrine and metabolic effects of leptin have been extensively researched since the discovery, and the later identification, of the leptin gene mutated within the ob/ob mouse. Leptin is required for optimal health in a number of physiological systems (e.g. fertility, bone density, body weight regulation). Despite the extensive leptin literature and many observations of leptin’s cyclical pattern over the 24-hour day, few studies have specifically examined how the circadian rhythm of leptin may be essential to leptin signaling and health. Here we present data indicating that a rhythmic leptin profile (e.g. 1 peak every 24 hours) leads to excessive …