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Query: UMLS:C0028754 (obesity)
 124,988 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in Western society. Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) is a recently identified member of the mitochondrial transporter superfamily that is expressed in many tissues, including adipose tissue. Like its close relatives UCP1 and UCP3, UCP2 uncouples proton entry in the mitochondrial matrix from ATP synthesis and is therefore a candidate gene for obesity. We show here that a common G/A polymorphism in the UCP2 promoter region is associated with enhanced adipose tissue mRNA expression in vivo and results in increased transcription of a reporter gene in the human adipocyte cell line PAZ-6. In analyzing 340 obese and 256 never-obese middle-aged subjects, we found a modest but significant reduction in obesity prevalence associated with the less-common allele. We confirmed this association in a population-based sample of 791 middle-aged subjects from the same geographic area. Despite its modest effect, but because of its high frequency (approximately 63%), the more-common risk allele conferred a relatively large population-attributable risk accounting for 15% of the obesity in the population studied.
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PMID:A common polymorphism in the promoter of UCP2 is associated with decreased risk of obesity in middle-aged humans. 1138 Dec 68

beta cells sense glucose through its metabolism and the resulting increase in ATP, which subsequently stimulates insulin secretion. Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) mediates mitochondrial proton leak, decreasing ATP production. In the present study, we assessed UCP2's role in regulating insulin secretion. UCP2-deficient mice had higher islet ATP levels and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, establishing that UCP2 negatively regulates insulin secretion. Of pathophysiologic significance, UCP2 was markedly upregulated in islets of ob/ob mice, a model of obesity-induced diabetes. Importantly, ob/ob mice lacking UCP2 had restored first-phase insulin secretion, increased serum insulin levels, and greatly decreased levels of glycemia. These results establish UCP2 as a key component of beta cell glucose sensing, and as a critical link between obesity, beta cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes.
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PMID:Uncoupling protein-2 negatively regulates insulin secretion and is a major link between obesity, beta cell dysfunction, and type 2 diabetes. 1144 Jul 12

Uncoupling proteins are mitochondrial carrier proteins which are able to dissipate the proton gradient of the inner mitochondrial membrane. This uncoupling process reduces the amount of ATP generated through an oxidation of fuels. The hypothesis that uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are candidate genes for human obesity or Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is based on the finding that a chemical uncoupling of the mitochondrial membrane reduces body adiposity, and that lower metabolic rates predict weight gain. It is straightforward to hypothesize that common polymorphisms of UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3 genes lower metabolic rate by a more efficient energy coupling in the mitochondria. Furthermore, genetically engineered mice over expressing different UCP homologues are lean and resistant to diet-induced obesity. The three uncoupling protein homologue genes UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 have been investigated for polymorphisms and mutations and their impact on Type II diabetes mellitus, obesity, and body weight gain or BMI. The main conclusion is that variation in the UCP1, UCP2 or UCP3 genes is not associated with major alterations of body weight gain. The contribution of UCP genes towards polygenic obesity and Type II diabetes is evaluated and discussed.
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PMID:Uncoupling proteins: functional characteristics and role in the pathogenesis of obesity and Type II diabetes. 1148 71

Uncoupling proteins are located in the inner mitochondria membrane. Their name is derived from their function: they uncouple oxidative procesess of the respiratory chain from ATP synthesis. Hitherto several members of the family have been described, the best known being UCP1. UCP1 can be expressed exclusively in brown adipose tissue and it is responsible for the heat production. In humans the brown fat disappears during the early childhood. In adults another members of the UCP family can be found--UCP2 and UCP3. It is widely accepted that these proteins affect lipid metabolism and energy expenditure. They are intensively studied owing to their possible use in the therapy of obesity. However, their physiological function has not been yet fully established.
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PMID:[Uncoupling proteins]. 1150 48

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2(-/-) mice develop diabetes because of insulin resistance in the liver and failure to undergo beta-cell hyperplasia. Here we show by DNA chip microarray analysis that expression of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1 gene, a downstream target of insulin, was paradoxically increased in 16-week-old IRS-2(-/-) mouse liver, where insulin-mediated intracellular signaling events were substantially attenuated. The expression of SREBP-1 downstream genes, such as the spot 14, ATP citrate-lyase, and fatty acid synthase genes, was also increased. Increased liver triglyceride content in IRS-2(-/-) mice assures the physiological importance of SREBP-1 gene induction. IRS-2(-/-) mice showed leptin resistance; low dose leptin administration, enough to reduce food intake and body weight in wild-type mice, failed to do so in IRS-2(-/-) mice. Interestingly, high dose leptin administration reduced SREBP-1 expression in IRS-2(-/-) mouse liver. Thus, IRS-2 gene disruption results in leptin resistance, causing an SREBP-1 gene induction, obesity, fatty liver, and diabetes.
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PMID:Increased expression of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 gene in insulin receptor substrate-2(-/-) mouse liver. 1154 55

Exposure of rat pancreatic islets to 20 mM leucine for 24 h reduced insulin release in response to glucose (16.7 and 22.2 mM). Insulin release was normal when the same islets were stimulated with leucine (40 mM) or glyburide (1 microM). To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the different effect of these secretagogues, we studied several steps of glucose-induced insulin secretion. Glucose utilization and oxidation rates in leucine-precultured islets were similar to those of control islets. Also, the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel-independent pathway of glucose-stimulated insulin release, studied in the presence of 30 mM K(+) and 250 microM diazoxide, was normal. In contrast, the ATP-to-ADP ratio after stimulation with 22.2 mM glucose was reduced in leucine-exposed islets with respect to control islets. The decrease of the ATP-to-ADP ratio was due to an increase of ADP levels. In conclusion, prolonged exposure of pancreatic islets to high leucine levels selectively impairs glucose-induced insulin release. This secretory abnormality is associated with (and might be due to) a reduced ATP-to-ADP ratio. The abnormal plasma amino acid levels often present in obesity and diabetes may, therefore, affect pancreatic islet insulin secretion in these patients.
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PMID:Chronic exposure to high leucine impairs glucose-induced insulin release by lowering the ATP-to-ADP ratio. 1159 66

The physiological function of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is as yet unknown. Based on its 57% homology to UCP1 whose physiologic function is uncoupling and thermogenesis, UCP3 was attributed with the function of mitochondrial uncoupling through proton-leak reactions. UCP3 is expressed selectively in muscle, a tissue in which it has been estimated that proton leak accounts for approx. 50% of resting energy metabolism. Genetic linkage, association and variant studies suggest a role for UCP3 in obesity and/or diabetes. Studies of the heterologous expression of UCP3 in yeast provide support for the idea that UCP3 can uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, but the physiological relevance of these results is questionable. In vitro studies of mitochondria from Ucp3(-/-) mice provide support, but there are no changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) of mice. In vivo studies demonstrate increased ATP synthesis, but estimates of substrate oxidation rate indicate no change. Mice that greatly overexpress Ucp3 in muscle have increased RMR. Inconsistent with the function of uncoupling are the observations that fasting results in increased expression of UCP3, but no change in muscle proton leak. Moreover, fasting decreases energy expenditure in muscle. Expression patterns for Ucp3 and lipid-metabolism genes support a physiological role in fatty acid oxidation. Overall, findings support a role for Ucp3 in fatty acid metabolism that may have implications for obesity and/or Type II diabetes.
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PMID:UCP3 and its putative function: consistencies and controversies. 1170 72

Metabolism of white adipose tissue is involved in the control of body fat content. In vitro experiments indicated a dependence of lipogenesis on mitochondrial ATP production, as well as a reciprocal link between hormonal effects on metabolism and energetics of adipocytes. Therefore, mitochondrial uncoupling in adipocytes that results in stimulation of energy dissipation and depression of ATP synthesis may contribute to control of lipid metabolism and adiposity. This is supported by the expression of protonophoric proteins in adipocytes, e.g. uncoupling proteins (UCPs) 2 and 5, and some anion transporters, and induction of UCP1 and UCP3 in white fat by pharmacological treatments that reduce adiposity. Negative correlation between expression of UCPs in adipocytes and accumulation of white fat was also found. Expression of UCP1 from the adipose-specific promoter in aP2-Ucp1 transgenic mice mitigated obesity induced by genetic or dietary factors. The obesity resistance, accompanied by mitochondrial uncoupling in adipocytes and increased energy expenditure, resulted from ectopic expression of UCP1 in white but not in brown fat. Probably due to depression of ATP/ADP ratio in white fat of transgenic mice, both fatty acid synthesis and lipolytic action of noradrenaline in adipocytes were relatively low. These results support the role of protonophoric proteins in adipocytes in the control of adiposity. The main function of these proteins in white fat may be modulation of lipogenesis and intracellular hormone signalling. Augmentation of energy expenditure may be of relatively small importance, in accordance with the low oxidative capacity of white adipocytes.
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PMID:Mitochondrial uncoupling and lipid metabolism in adipocytes. 1170 76

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the main site for hormone-dependent (non-shivering) thermogenesis in response to cold in lower mammals. The hypothalamus controls the cold-induced BAT activation by stimulating the sympathetic nerves and the secretion of norepinephrine (NE) in BAT. Mediated by beta-3 noradrenergic receptor and in the presence of triiodothyronine (T3), NE promotes the synthesis of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). UCP1 is a 32 kDa protein located in the inner membrane of BAT mitochondria, where it dissipates the proton gradient created by oxidations in the mitochondria. UCP1 functions as a proton translocator, substituting for another translocator, the ATP synthetase. The uncoupling of oxidations and phosphorylations and the inhibition of ATP synthesis lead to dissipation as heat of all energy produced in the respiratory chain. The supply of adequate amounts of T3 is ensured by the cold-induced enhancement of the enzyme 5'-deiodinase type II activity, which deiodinates thyroxine (T4) to T3. The absence of T3 blocks UCP1 synthesis, leading to hypothermia. BAT has a limited significance in humans, except in the newborn, where it serves for a rapid acclimation to ambient temperature. The study of BAT physiology will provide more insight into the mechanisms regulating energy balance and body weight in humans, thus contributing to prevent and treat human obesity.
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PMID:[Thyroid hormones, obesity and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis]. 1172 29

Glucosensing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) were studied using visually guided slice-patch recording techniques in brain slices from 14- to 21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings were made as extracellular glucose levels were increased (from 2.5 to 5 or 10 mmol/l) or decreased (from 2.5 to 0.1 mmol/l). Using these physiological conditions to define glucosensing neurons, two subtypes of VMN glucosensing neurons were directly responsive to alterations in extracellular glucose levels. Another three subtypes were not directly glucose-sensing themselves, but rather were presynaptically modulated by changes in extracellular glucose. Of the VMN neurons, 14% were directly inhibited by decreases in extracellular glucose (glucose-excited [GE]), and 3% were directly excited by decreases in extracellular glucose (glucose-inhibited [GI]). An additional 14% were presynaptically excited by decreased glucose (PED neurons). The other two subtypes of glucosensing neurons were either presynaptically inhibited (PIR; 11%) or excited (PER; 8%) when extracellular glucose was raised to > 2.5 mmol/l. GE neurons sensed decreased glucose via an ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel. The inhibitory effect of increased glucose on PIR neurons appears to be mediated by a presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic glucosensing neuron that probably originates outside the VMN. Finally, all types of glucosensing neurons were both fewer in number and showed abnormal responses to glucose in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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PMID:Convergence of pre- and postsynaptic influences on glucosensing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. 1172 49


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