title: Reviewing the Effects of L-Leucine Supplementation in the Regulation of Food Intake, Energy Balance, and Glucose Homeostasis.
abstract: Leucine is a well-known activator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Because mTOR signaling regulates several aspects of metabolism, the potential of leucine as a dietary supplement for treating obesity and diabetes mellitus has been investigated. The objective of the present review was to summarize and discuss the available evidence regarding the mechanisms and the effects of leucine supplementation on the regulation of food intake, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis. Based on the available evidence, we conclude that although central leucine injection decreases food intake, this effect is not well reproduced when leucine is provided as a dietary supplement. Consequently, no robust evidence indicates that oral leucine supplementation significantly affects food intake, although several studies have shown that leucine supplementation may help to decrease body adiposity in specific conditions. However, more studies are necessary to assess the effects of leucine supplementation in already-obese subjects. Finally, although several studies have found that leucine supplementation improves glucose homeostasis, the underlying mechanisms involved in these potential beneficial effects remain unknown and may be partially dependent on weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil. nutri.pedroso@gmail.com.
authors.forename: João A B
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pedroso
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil. thaizampieri@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thais T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Zampieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil. jdonato@icb.usp.br.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Donato
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; C546842:MTOR protein, human; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D007930:Leucine
keywords: branched-chain amino acids; central nervous system; diabetes mellitus; mTOR; obesity; protein synthesis