Leptin limits hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation via vagal activation of the JAK2-STAT3/AMPK pathway.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) begins with hepatic lipid accumulation, and leptin has anti-steatosis properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of leptin on hepatic steatosis and inflammation through the vagal pathway independently of the inhibitory effect of food intake.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were matched for food intake after the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model and were injected intraperitoneally with leptin or leptin + lidocaine for 6 weeks. Control rats received equal volumes of saline. Adipose tissue mass, NAFLD activity scores (NAS), hepatic inflammatory factors, hepatic triglyceride content and hepatic lipid metabolism-related protein levels were evaluated.

Results: Leptin ameliorated HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation, improved NAS, and decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in the presence of matched intake. Lidocaine decreased the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and abrogated the leptin-mediated improvement. Leptin increased hypothalamic phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2) and p-STAT3 expression, as well as the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain-related genes. Leptin also increased hepatic phosphorylated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) expression and phosphorylation of its downstream target acetyl Co A carboxylase 1 (ACC1), reducing de novo lipogenesis.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that leptin ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation by activating the JAK2-STAT3/AMPK pathway through the vagal pathway independently of the inhibitory effect of ingestion. Leptin has the potential to be a drug for early NAFLD treatment.