Cereal lectins could thus cause leptin resistance either indirectly, through effects on metabolism central to the proper functions of the leptin system, and/or directly, through binding to human leptin or leptin receptor, thereby affecting the function.
We further propose lectins as a cereal constituent with sufficient properties to cause leptin resistance, either through effects on metabolism central to the proper functions of the leptin system, and/or directly through binding to human leptin or human leptin receptor, thereby affecting the function.
Intact functioning of the leptin route is required for body weight and energy homeostasis.
The db/db mice, with loss of function of the leptin receptor gene, suffer obesity, diabetes, and diabetic nephropathy.
However, we have ruled out any role for inflammatory-cell-intrinsic function of the leptin receptor in macrophage recruitment and/or retention dynamics, or polarization.
Hence, lectins have sufficient properties to affect the leptin system indirectly, through effects on metabolism central to the proper function of the leptin system, and possibly also directly through interaction with leptin or the leptin receptor.
The intriguing possibility of direct interaction between lectin and the leptin receptor could alter the function of the leptin receptor and translate into diseases of affluence [ 48, 61- 65, 65, 77- 82, 84- 91].
Interestingly, in human babies there is a sex difference in favour of higher leptin concentrations in female newborns [ 26], which is consistent with our above hypothesis about the function of the leptin surge in set point calibration.
The functions of leptin include the regulation of energy intake and consumption, modulation of the immune system, and induction of inflammatory and fibrogenic signals.
Though one of the best known functions of leptin is regulation of feeding behavior, leptin also plays essential roles in the regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, cell differentiation, cognition and learning, and neurodegeneration, where it may play dual roles in stroke or epilepsy.
One of the main functions of leptin is to control the body fat mass by inhibiting food intake via the central nervous system.
