The Role of Sleep Curtailment on Leptin Levels in Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus

Overview

Journal Obes Facts

Publisher Karger

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2021 Mar 23

PMID 33756469

Citations 15

Authors

Maryam Mosavat

Mitra Mirsanjari

Diana Arabiat

Aisling Smyth

Lisa Whitehead

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Emerging evidence has identified sleep as a significant, but modifiable, risk factor for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived peptide and a regulator of food intake and energy expenditure, has been shown to be associated with a short sleep duration in the pathophysiology of obesity and consequently type 2 diabetes. This review focuses on the current evidence indicating the effects of a short sleep duration on the regulation of leptin concentration in association with obesity and diabetes mellitus. In summary, the evidence suggests that sleep deprivation, by affecting leptin regulation, may lead to obesity and consequently development of type 2 diabetes through increased appetite and food intake. However, findings on the role of leptin in diabetes due to sleep deprivation are contradictory, and further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm previous findings.

Citing Articles

The Interplay of Genetic Predisposition, Circadian Misalignment, and Metabolic Regulation in Obesity.

Halder S, Melkani G Curr Obes Rep. 2025; 14(1):21.

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Sleeplessness and incident diabetes above the Arctic circle: a secondary analysis of cohort data from the Tromsø Study.

Uthaikhaifar N, Iakunchykova O, Cook S, Warren-Gash C BMJ Public Health. 2025; 2(1):e000644.

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A biological rhythm in the hypothalamic system links sleep-wake cycles with feeding-fasting cycles.

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