Brazilian scientists have discovered a hormone that causes obesity and diabetes

What causes obesity and diabetes in the human body? Brazilian scientists from Unicamp (State University of Campinas) discovered that leptin acts on a type of immune cell and contributes to the development of metabolic disorders.

Produced in fatty tissue, it is known as the satiety hormone. “Through these experiments, we have shown how it specifically acts on the immune cells in the adipose tissue, where leptin is produced. In people who are obese, there is usually an increase in this hormone and the process of leptin,” said Professor Pedro Vieira, from Unicamp. inflammatory as a result.

This discovery may be the way to develop treatments that can help people with obesity and diabetes.

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To ascertain the role of immune cells in interacting with leptin, the researchers conducted both experiments in the laboratoryusing cells, as in animals (in vivo)

The tests, at this first moment, aim to understand how the substance works in our body and how well the body can recover.

In the first stage, they studied macrophages, a type of immune cell in the body. These cells were isolated from mice that lacked hormone receptors anywhere in their bodies.

In the second part of the study, researchers evaluated mice that did not have leptin receptors only in myeloid cells, involved in the inflammatory process caused by obesity.

“This excludes the effects of leptin on central nervous system cells, such as neurons, because this hormone also acts on brain signals when it is time to stop eating,” the professor said.

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cures for the future

For researchers, the way out for treating obesity and diabetes with the satiety hormone is to discover the normal conditions, without inflammation, for leptin.

With this control, the substance will be able to repair inflamed tissues, and subsequently, concomitant diseases.

Although some studies are still needed, the researchers realized that without inflammation, leptin is important in tissue repair.

Brazilian scientists have discovered that leptin acts on a type of immune cell and contributes to the development of obesity and diabetes – Photo: Pixabay

with information from Health Diary