The potential beneficial effect of leptin on an experimental model of hyperlipidemia, induced by chronic ethanol treatment

Background: Obesity is known to predispose individuals to liver disease by increasing hepatic sensitivity to endotoxin. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of mouse recombinant leptin on food intake, body weight, hepatic and plasma lipids and lipoproteins in alcohol-induced liver injury. Method: Male Swiss mice weighing 28-32 g were administered ethanol (6.32 a kg(-1) body weight, p.o.) for the first 30 days. Subsequently, ethanol-fed mice were given intraperitoneal injections of exogenous leptin (230 mug kg(-1) body weight, i.p.) every alternate day for 15 days. At the end of the total experimental period of 45 days, plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, lipoprotein lipase and lipoproteins were measured. Results: Exogenous leptin injections to alcohol-fed mice significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the rise in hepatic and plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations as compared with those of the unsupplemented ethanol fed mice. Food intake and average body weight at the end of the experimental period was significantly decreased on leptin administration. Conclusion: Chronic administration of exogenous Mouse recombinant leptin prevents the rise in lipids and lipoprotein concentrations significantly in an animal model of alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.