SOCS3 Ablation in Leptin Receptor-Expressing Cells Causes Autonomic and Cardiac Dysfunctions in Middle-Aged Mice despite Improving Energy and Glucose Metabolism

Leptin resistance is a hallmark of obesity. Treatments aiming to improve leptin sensitivity are considered a promising therapeutical approach against obesity. However, leptin receptor (LepR) signaling also modulates several neurovegetative aspects, such as the cardiovascular system and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Thus, we investigated the long-term consequences of increased leptin sensitivity, considering the potential beneficial and deleterious effects. To generate a mouse model with increased leptin sensitivity, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was ablated in LepR-expressing cells (LepR(∆SOCS3) mice). LepR(∆SOCS3) mice displayed reduced food intake, body adiposity and weight gain, as well as improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and were protected against aging-induced leptin resistance. Surprisingly, a very high mortality rate was observed in aging LepR(∆SOCS3) mice. LepR(∆SOCS3) mice showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, increased myocardial fibrosis and reduced cardiovascular capacity. LepR(∆SOCS3) mice exhibited impaired post-ischemic cardiac functional recovery and middle-aged LepR(∆SOCS3) mice showed substantial arhythmic events during the post-ischemic reperfusion period. Finally, LepR(∆SOCS3) mice exhibited fasting-induced hypoglycemia and impaired counterregulatory response to glucopenia associated with reduced gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, although increased sensitivity to leptin improved the energy and glucose homeostasis of aging LepR(∆SOCS3) mice, major autonomic/neurovegetative dysfunctions compromised the health and longevity of these animals. Consequently, these potentially negative aspects need to be considered in the therapies that increase leptin sensitivity chronically.