A comparative study of serum leptin levels among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and non-diabetic individuals – hospital based cross- sectional study in Thiruvanthpuram, Kerala

Abstract

Introduction
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem with its rapidly rising prevalence. Although insulin resistance is a prominent feature, there are abnormalities in secretion of adipokines like leptin. Leptin, an adipokine coded by ob gene plays a major role in islet cell growth and insulin secretion. It regulates appetite, increase the expression of key enzymes of carbohydrates metabolism and can reverse diabetes by improving glucose tolerance. Administration of recombinant leptin can abolish hyperglycemia by stimulating glucose disposal to the peripheral tissues. Although insulin is still the ultimate choice of treatment in diabetic patients, long-term therapy can produce ectopic lipid deposition and life threatening hypoglycemia.