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Review
. 2021;14(2):214-221.
doi: 10.1159/000514095. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

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

Maryam Mosavat  1 , Mitra Mirsanjari  2 , Diana Arabiat  3   4 , Aisling Smyth  3 , Lisa Whitehead  3
Affiliations
Review

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

Maryam Mosavat et al. Obes Facts. 2021.

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.

Keywords: Diabetes; Leptin; Obesity; Short sleep duration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Role of sleep restriction on leptin regulation in obesity and diabetes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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