Abstract
Alteration of the perinatal nutritional environment is an important risk factor for the development of metabolic diseases in later life. The hormone leptin plays a critical role in growth and development. Previous studies reported that postnatal overnutrition increases leptin secretion during the pre-weaning period. However, a direct link between leptin, neonatal overnutrition, and lifelong metabolic regulation has not been investigated. We used the small litter mouse model combined with neonatal leptin antagonist injections to examine whether attenuating leptin during early life improves lifelong metabolic regulation in postnatally overnourished mice. Postnatally overnourished mice displayed rapid weight gain during lactation and remained overweight as adults. These mice also showed increased adiposity and perturbations in glucose homeostasis in adulthood. Neonatal administration of a leptin antagonist normalized fat mass and insulin sensitivity in postnatally overnourished mice. These metabolic improvements were associated with enhanced sensitivity of hypothalamic neurons to leptin. Early postnatal overnutrition causes metabolic alterations that can be permanently attenuated with the administration of a leptin antagonist during a restricted developmental window.
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