Research
Hormonal
Central administration of leptin or FGF1 can reverse basal hyperglycemia in diabetic animal models through insulin-independent mechanisms, without improving glucose tolerance.
This finding in animals suggests that targeting the brain with specific hormones (like leptin or FGF1) can lower blood sugar without needing insulin. This supports the development of brain-targeted therapies for diabetes that work independently of pancreatic insulin secretion.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
These interventions engage insulin-independent mechanisms that can effectively reverse basal hyperglycemia while having little or no effect on glucose tolerance.
Why this rating
Based on rodent models (streptozotocin-induced diabetes, ZDF rats), not human clinical trials.
Source
Distinct Roles for Brain and Pancreas in Basal and Postprandial Glucose Homeostasis
Kimberly M. Alonge et al. · Diabetes · 2023
DOI 10.2337/db22-0969
narrative_reviewCited 12×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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