Melatonin attenuates mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction caused by leptin deficiency

Leptin, as a nutritional inhibitor by repressing food intake, is critical compromised in the major common forms of obesity. Skeletal muscle is the main effector tissue for energy expenditure modifications by the effect of endocrine axes, such as leptin signaling. Our study has been carried out using skeletal muscle from leptin-deficient animal model, in order to ascertain the importance of this hormone in eating disorders. Here we report that leptin-deficiency stimulates an uncontrolled oxidative phosphorylation metabolism, resulting in an excess of energy production that culminates in mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, different nutrient sensing pathways are perturbed, loosing proteostasis and promoting lipid anabolism, that induces myofiber degeneration and drives oxidative type I fiber conversion. Melatonin treatment plays a significant role in regulating energy homeostasis and fuel utilization. This study reveals melatonin to be a decisive mitochondrial function-fate regulator, with implications for resembling physiological energy requirements and targeting glycolytic type II fibers recovery.