Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0028754 (obesity)
 124,988 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Thanks to progress in zinc research, it is now possible to describe in more detail how zinc ions (Zn++) and nitrogen monoxide (NO), together with glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form, GSSG, help to regulate immune responses to antigens. NO appears to be able to liberate Zn++ from metallothionein (MT), an intracellular storage molecule for metal ions such as zinc (Zn++) and copper (Cu++). Both Zn++ and Cu++ show a concentration-dependent inactivation of a protease essential for the proliferation of the AIDS virus HIV-1, while zinc can help prevent diabetes complications through its intracellular activation of the enzyme sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH). A Zn++ deficiency can lead to a premature transition from efficient Th1-dependent cellular antiviral immune functions to Th2-dependent humoral immune functions. Deficiencies of Zn++, NO and/or GSH shift the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th2, as do deficiencies of any of the essential nutrients (ENs) - a group that includes methionine, cysteine, arginine, vitamins A, B, C and E, zinc and selenium (Se) - because these are necessary for the synthesis and maintenance of sufficient amounts of GSH, MT and NO. Via the Th1/Th2 balance, Zn++, NO, MT and GSH collectively determine the progress and outcome of many diseases. Disregulation of the Th1/Th2 balance is responsible for autoimmune disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Under Th2, levels of interleukin-4 (II-4), II-6, II-10, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are raised, while levels of II-2, Zn++, NO and other substances are lowered. This makes things easier for viruses like HIV-1 which multiply in Th2 cells but rarely, if ever, in Th1 cells. AIDS viruses (HIVs) enter immune cells with the aid of the CD4 cell surface receptor in combination with a number of co-receptors which include CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR4. Remarkably, the cell surface receptor for LTB4 (BLTR) also seems to act as a co-receptor for CD4, which helps HIVs to infect immune cells. The Th2 cytokine II-4 increases the number of CXCR4 and BLTR co-receptors, as a result of which, under Th2, the HIV strains that infect immune cells are precisely those that are best able to accelerate the AIDS disease process. The II-4 released under Th2 therefore not only promotes the production of more HIVs and the rate at which they infect immune cells, it also stimulates selection for the more virulent strains. Zn++ inhibit LTB4 production and numbers of LTB4 receptors (BLTRs) in a concentration-dependent way. Zn++ help cells to keep their LTB4 'doors' shut against the more virulent strains of HIV. Moreover, a sufficiency of Zn++ and NO prevents a shift of the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th2 and thereby slows the proliferation of HIV, which it also does by inactivating the HIV protease. Research makes it look likely that deficiencies of ENs such as zinc promote the proliferation of Th2 cells at the expense of Th1 cells. Zinc deficiency also promotes cancer. Under the influence of Th1 cells, zinc inhibits the growth of tumours by activating the endogenous tumour-suppressor endostatin, which inhibits angiogenesis. The modern Western diet, with its excess of refined products such as sugar, alcohol and fats, often contains, per calorie, a deficiency of ENs such as zinc, selenium and vitamins A, B, C and E, which results in disturbed immune functions, a shifted Th1/Th2 balance, chronic (viral) infections, obesity, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, allergies and cancer. In view of this, an optimization of dietary composition would seem to give the best chance of beating (viral) epidemics and common (chronic) diseases at a realistic price.
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PMID:Modern diets and diseases: NO-zinc balance. Under Th1, zinc and nitrogen monoxide (NO) collectively protect against viruses, AIDS, autoimmunity, diabetes, allergies, asthma, infectious diseases, atherosclerosis and cancer. 1049 17

The significance of physical activity for fitness is that it may change risk factors for chronic disease and improve functional and psychological status. Rational nutrition and scientific training are prerequisites for safe and useful exercise. Even mild iron deficiency anemia can affect physical capacity. Intensive exercise has been found to increase serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels. Moderate exercise decreases the blood lipid peroxides and increases free radical elimination enzyme (SOD, GSH-Px, CAT) activities. Elite athletes have significantly lower Malonic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and higher SOD and GSH-Px activities. Zinc deficiency not only leads to an increase in free radical generation and lipid peroxidation and a depression of SOD activity, but also is harmful to immune function. Exercise can exacerbate the damage induced by iron deficiency or zinc deficiency. Long term diet restriction by gymnasts to control weight showed detrimental effects including growth retardation, menstrual disturbances, malnutrition, mental stress and muscle weakness. Comprehensive nutrition promotes growth rate and corrects malnutrition without a body fat increase in athletes. Exercise benefits the growth and development of bone and muscle and enhances muscle strength. The prevention of obesity is particularly important during periods of rapid growth. The establishment of an exercise life style during childhood will favor the best health.
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PMID:Benefits of physical activity on nutrition and health status: studies in China. 2439 41

Zinc deficiency may result from either a congenitally inherited defect of zinc absorption or is acquired secondarily from a variety of factors affecting dietary zinc intake, absorption, or loss. We report a case of acquired zinc deficiency secondary to gastric bypass surgery that resulted in vulvar cutaneous manifestations of delayed onset, with failure to clear after oral supplementation with zinc. The patient experienced improvement of symptoms only after administration of intravenous zinc supplementation. Upon review of the current literature, it is thought that the patient's original suboptimal response to oral supplementation and improvement after receiving intravenous zinc were related to the intentional surgical alteration and bypass of the absorptive capacity of the duodenum and jejunum. With the current prevalence of obesity and availability of surgical weight loss therapies, it is important to be mindful of the resulting nutritional deficiencies, their clinical manifestations, and factors affecting the efficacy of therapeutic approaches as seen in this case.
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PMID:Intravenous zinc therapy for acquired zinc deficiency secondary to gastric bypass surgery: a case report. 2575 7

Zinc deficiency is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes. However, until recently, the underlying molecular mechanisms remained unclear. The breakthrough discovery that the common polymorphism in zinc transporter SLC30A8/ZnT8 may increase susceptibility to type 2 diabetes provided novel insights into the role of zinc in diabetes. Our group and others showed that altered ZnT8 function may be involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, indicating that the precise control of zinc homeostasis is crucial for maintaining health and preventing various diseases, including lifestyle-associated diseases. Recently, the role of the zinc transporter ZIP13 in the regulation of beige adipocyte biogenesis was clarified, which indicated zinc homeostasis regulation as a possible therapeutic target for obesity and metabolic syndrome. Here we review advances in the role of zinc homeostasis in the pathophysiology of diabetes, and propose that inadequate zinc distribution may affect the onset of diabetes and metabolic diseases by regulating various critical biological events.
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PMID:Role of Zinc Homeostasis in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes and Obesity. 2941 57

Studies have demonstrated that susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D) is influenced by common polymorphism in the zinc transporter 8 gene SLC30A8, providing novel insight into the role of zinc in diabetes. Intriguingly, zinc participates in every step of the process, including insulin synthesis, crystallization, storage, secretion and signaling. Zinc deficiency or overload is associated with various disorders, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Zinc supplementation is considered as an effective means of treating or preventing T2D in people with certain SLC30A8 genotypes. Three important protein families-zinc transporters (ZnTs), zinc importers (ZiPs) and metallothionein (MT)-participate in maintaining zinc homeostasis. Here, we review research on the physiological characteristics of zinc and its role in the pancreas and homeostasis regulation mechanisms, along with the latest research on the structure and function of ZnT/ZiP and MT. In addition, we summarize the advancements in research on SLC30A8 gene polymorphism in search of a mechanism to explain the relationship between the R risk allele and zinc transporter activity.
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PMID:Zinc and its regulators in pancreas. 3075 23

Zinc deficiency is a risk factor for the development of obesity and diabetes. Studies have shown lower serum zinc levels in obese individuals and those with diabetes. We speculate that zinc supplementation can alleviate obesity and diabetes and, to some extent, their complications. To test our hypothesis, we investigated the effects of zinc supplementation on mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in vivo and in vitro by adding zinc to the diet of mice and the medium of HepG2 cells. Both results showed that high levels of zinc could alleviate the glucose and lipid metabolic disorders induced by a HFD. High zinc can reduce glucose production, promote glucose absorption, reduce lipid deposition, improve HFD-induced liver injury, and regulate energy metabolism. This study provides novel insight into the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and glucose metabolic disorder.
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PMID:Zinc Supplementation Alleviates Lipid and Glucose Metabolic Disorders Induced by a High-Fat Diet. 3229 Jun 56