Leptin stimulates fatty-acid oxidation by activating AMP-activated protein kinase

Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that plays a pivotal role in regulating food intake, energy expenditure and neuroendocrine function1. Leptin stimulates the oxidation of fatty acids2 and the uptake of glucose3,4, and prevents the accumulation of lipids in nonadipose tissues, which can lead to functional impairments known as “lipotoxicity”5. The signalling pathways that mediate the metabolic effects of leptin remain undefined. The...