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)

By comparing the hepatic responses to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha that occur during situations that promote liver injury (such as obesity or chronic exposure to ethanol) with those that occur after stimuli (such as partial hepatectomy) that lead to liver regeneration, it is apparent that hepatocytes are usually able to constrain noxious responses to TNF-alpha, such as the release of reactive oxygen from mitochondria. It appears that by promptly upregulating survival genes that regulate mitochondrial membrane permeability, hepatocytes are usually able to constrain noxious responses, including the release of mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species, that follow exposure to potentially toxic cytokines, such as TNF-alpha. Indeed, transient TNF-alpha-mediated increases in ROS may even be exploited by hepatocytes to evoke a subsequent proliferative response. Thus, the healthy liver has well-developed defense mechanisms that permit hepatocytes to adapt to cytokine-initiated stress, protecting them from cytokine-mediated lethality. Nevertheless, these same cytokines may cause liver injury when hepatocytes have been pre-exposed to toxins (e.g. ethanol) that interfere with their usual protective responses. Furthermore, while transient adaptations to cytokine-initiated stress permit hepatocytes to survive and proliferate, persistence of these anti-apoptotic, adaptative responses (as occurs, for example, in fatty livers) may inadvertently enhance hepatocyte vulnerability to necrosis when the liver is confronted by secondary insults that promote mitochondrial membrane depolarization.
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PMID:Cytokine regulation of liver injury and repair. 1080 15

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased ROS generation, oxidative injury and obesity. To elucidate the relationship between nutrition and ROS generation, we have investigated the effect of glucose challenge on ROS generation by leucocytes, p47phox protein, a key protein in the enzyme NADPH oxidase and alpha-tocopherol levels. Blood samples were drawn from 14 normal subjects prior to, at 1, 2 and 3 h following ingestion of 75 g glucose. ROS generation by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and mononuclear cells (MNC) increased to a peak of 244 +/- 42% and 233 +/- 34% of the basal respectively at 2h. The levels of p47phox in MNC homogenates increased significantly at 2 h and 3 h after glucose intake. alpha-Tocopherol levels decreased significantly at 1 h, 2 h and 3 h. We conclude that glucose intake stimulates ROS generation and p417phox of NADPH oxidase; increases oxidative load and causes a fall in alpha-tocopherol concentration.
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PMID:Glucose challenge stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by leucocytes. 1094 14

Obese hypertensive patients with cardiovascular risk factor clustering and increased risk for atherosclerotic disease have increased plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels, including oleic acid (OA), and a more active renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation participate in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. OA and angiotensin (Ang) II induce synergistic mitogenic responses in VSMCs through sequential signaling pathways dependent on the activation of protein kinase C (PKC), oxidants (reactive oxygen species, ROS), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. We tested the hypotheses that (1) OA and Ang II have additive or synergistic effects on VSMC migration and (2) PKC, ROS, and mitogen-activated protein kinase are critical signaling molecules. OA at 100 micromol/L increases VSMC migration 60+/-10% over control (P:<0.001). Ang II (10(-)(9) mol/L) increases VSMC migration by 62+/-13% and 73% over control, respectively (P:<0.01). Coincubation of cells with OA and Ang II produces a nearly additive increase in VSMC cell migration at 107+/-20% (P:<0.01). Increases in VSMC migration induced by OA alone and combined with Ang II were reduced by PKC inhibition and downregulation. VSMC migration in response to OA alone and with Ang II was also inhibited by N:-acetyl-cysteine, MEK inhibition, and ERK antisense. VSMC migration in response to OA alone or combined with Ang II is dependent on activation of PKC, ROS, and ERK activation, further raising the possibility that increased plasma nonesterified fatty acids and an activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in subjects with the risk factor cluster contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis through a PKC, ROS, and ERK-dependent signaling pathway.
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PMID:Signaling events mediating the additive effects of oleic acid and angiotensin II on vascular smooth muscle cell migration. 1123 Feb 90

The uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) homologues UCP2 and UCP3 are able to uncouple ATP production from mitochondrial respiration, thereby dissipating energy as heat and affecting energy metabolism efficiency. In contrast to UCP1, which plays an important role in adaptive thermogenesis, UCP2 and UCP3 do not have a primary role in the regulation of energy metabolism. UCP2, which is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, including white adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and tissues of the immune system, has been suggested to affect the production of reactive oxygen species. UCP2 has also been suggested to regulate the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio and was recently shown to influence insulin secretion in the beta-cells of the pancreas. UCP3, in contrast, is expressed predominantly in skeletal muscle and has been associated with whole-body energy metabolism. However, the primary function of UCP3 is not the regulation of energy metabolism. For example, fasting, a condition attenuating energy expenditure, upregulates UCP3 expression. Moreover, UCP3-knockout mice have a normal metabolic rate. The exact function of UCP3 therefore remains to be elucidated, but putative roles for UCP3 include involvement in the regulation of ROS, in mitochondrial fatty acid transport and in the regulation of glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle. Whatever the primary function of these novel uncoupling proteins, a secondary effect via uncoupling might allow them to influence (but not to regulate) energy metabolism, which would be consistent with the observations from linkage and association studies. Therefore, UCP2 and UCP3 remain interesting targets for pharmacological upregulation in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
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PMID:UCP2 and UCP3 in muscle controlling body metabolism. 1211 Jun 61

Obesity is a principal causative factor in the development of metabolic syndrome. Here we report that increased oxidative stress in accumulated fat is an important pathogenic mechanism of obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. Fat accumulation correlated with systemic oxidative stress in humans and mice. Production of ROS increased selectively in adipose tissue of obese mice, accompanied by augmented expression of NADPH oxidase and decreased expression of antioxidative enzymes. In cultured adipocytes, elevated levels of fatty acids increased oxidative stress via NADPH oxidase activation, and oxidative stress caused dysregulated production of adipocytokines (fat-derived hormones), including adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. Finally, in obese mice, treatment with NADPH oxidase inhibitor reduced ROS production in adipose tissue, attenuated the dysregulation of adipocytokines, and improved diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Collectively, our results suggest that increased oxidative stress in accumulated fat is an early instigator of metabolic syndrome and that the redox state in adipose tissue is a potentially useful therapeutic target for obesity-associated metabolic syndrome.
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PMID:Increased oxidative stress in obesity and its impact on metabolic syndrome. 1559

Evidence for the physiological functions of UCP2 and UCP3 is critically reviewed. They do not mediate adaptive thermogenesis, but they may be significantly thermogenic under specific pharmacological conditions. There is strong evidence that the mild regulated uncoupling they cause attenuates mitochondrial ROS production, protects against cellular damage, and diminishes insulin secretion. Evidence that they export fatty acids physiologically is weak. UCP2 and UCP3 are important potential targets for treatment of aging, degenerative diseases, diabetes, and perhaps obesity.
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PMID:Physiological functions of the mitochondrial uncoupling proteins UCP2 and UCP3. 1609 26

Phytochemicals such as soy isoflavone genistein have been reported to possess therapeutic effects for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, the molecular basis of selective phytochemicals with emphasis on their ability to control intracellular signaling cascades of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) responsible for the inhibition of adipogenesis was investigated. Recently, the evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase, AMPK, emerges as a possible target molecule of anti-obesity. Hypothalamic AMPK was found to integrate nutritional and hormonal signals modulating feeding behavior and energy expenditure. We have investigated the effects of genistein, EGCG, and capsaicin on adipocyte differentiation in relation to AMPK activation in 3T3-L1 cells. Genistein (20-200muM) significantly inhibited the process of adipocyte differentiation and led to apoptosis of mature adipocytes. Genistein, EGCG, and capsaicin stimulated the intracellular ROS release, which activated AMPK rapidly. We suggest that AMPK is a novel and critical component of both inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and apoptosis of mature adipocytes by genistein or EGCG or capsaicin further implying AMPK as a prime target of obesity control.
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PMID:Genistein, EGCG, and capsaicin inhibit adipocyte differentiation process via activating AMP-activated protein kinase. 1623 47

The metabolic syndrome, Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased plasma concentrations of NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids; free fatty acids). The present study was undertaken to define the inhibitory effects of saturated NEFAs on EDR (endothelium-dependent relaxation). Experiments were performed in rings of rabbit aorta to establish (i) dose-response relationships, (ii) the effect of chain length, (iii) the effect of the presence of double bonds, (iv) reversibility and time course of inhibition, and (v) the effect on nitric oxide production. Aortic rings were incubated (1 h) with NEFA-albumin complexes derived from lauric (C(12:0)), myristic (C(14:0)), palmitic (C(16:0)), stearic (C(18:0)) and linolenic (C(18:3)) acids. EDR induced by acetylcholine (0.1-10 mumol/l) was measured after pre-contraction with noradrenaline. Inhibition of EDR was dose-dependent (0.5-2 mmol/l NEFA), and the greatest inhibition (51%) was observed with stearic acid (2 mmol/l). Lauric acid had the smallest inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effects were always reversible and were evident after 15 min of incubation. Linolenic acid caused a significantly lower inhibition of EDR than stearic acid. SOD (superoxide dismutase) restored the inhibitory effect caused by NEFAs, suggesting the involvement of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in removing nitric oxide. The nitric oxide concentration measured after exposure of the rings to acetylcholine was lower after incubation with NEFAs than with Krebs buffer alone. This finding is consistent with removal of nitric oxide by ROS. This claim was supported by the demonstration of increased concentrations of nitrated tyrosine in the rings incubated with NEFAs.
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PMID:Effect of fatty acids on endothelium-dependent relaxation in the rabbit aorta. 1652 62

While ruling out programmed aging, evolutionary theory predicts a quasi-program for aging, a continuation of the developmental program that is not turned off, is constantly on, becoming hyper-functional and damaging, causing diseases of aging. Could it be switched off pharmacologically? This would require identification of a molecular target involved in cell senescence, organism aging and diseases of aging. Notably, cell senescence is associated with activation of the TOR (target of rapamycin) nutrient- and mitogen-sensing pathway, which promotes cell growth, even though cell cycle is blocked. Is TOR involved in organism aging? In fact, in yeast (where the cell is the organism), caloric restriction, rapamycin and mutations that inhibit TOR all slow down aging. In animals from worms to mammals caloric restrictions, life-extending agents, and numerous mutations that increase longevity all converge on the TOR pathway. And, in humans, cell hypertrophy, hyper-function and hyperplasia, typically associated with activation of TOR, contribute to diseases of aging. Theoretical and clinical considerations suggest that rapamycin may be effective against atherosclerosis, hypertension and hyper-coagulation (thus, preventing myocardial infarction and stroke), osteoporosis, cancer, autoimmune diseases and arthritis, obesity, diabetes, macula-degeneration, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Finally, I discuss that extended life span will reveal new causes for aging (e.g., ROS, 'wear and tear', Hayflick limit, stem cell exhaustion) that play a limited role now, when quasi-programmed senescence kills us first.
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PMID:Aging and immortality: quasi-programmed senescence and its pharmacologic inhibition. 1701 37

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activate Receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. The three PPARs (alpha, beta/delta, and gamma) are distributed differently in the different organs. PPARalpha is most common in the liver, but also found in kidney, gut, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, while PPARbeta/delta, is fairly ubiquitous; it may be found in body tissues and brain (for myelination process and lipid metabolism in the brain). PPARgamma has 3 isoforms, such as PPARgamma 1, PPARgamma 2, and PPARgamma 3. The syndrome-X was firstly coined by Reaven in 1988 and then to be provided in 1999 by the name : the metabolic syndrome-X. This metabolic syndrome represents a "Cluster" of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors which has been collected and summarized by the author and such a cluster includes: insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, central obesity, glucose intolerance/DM, atherogenic dyslipidemia (increase TG, decrease HDL-cholesterol, increase Apo-B, increase small dense LDL), hypertension, prothrombotic state (increase PAI-1, increase F-VII, increase fibrinogen, increase vWF, increase adhesion molecules), endothelial dysfunction, hyperuricemia, and increased hsC-RP and cytokines. The metabolic syndrome-X may lead to the development of T2DM and coronary heart disease (CHD); insulin resistance plays pivotal roles in the progression of such a syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Improvement of Insulin Resistance, therefore, is most likely to reduce the high cardiovascular event rate in T2DM. It has been generally accepted that Insulin Resistance (detected by HOMA-R) and Acute Insulin Response = AIR (by HOMA-B) are both usually present in T2DM. The Thiazolidinedions (TZDs) are Insulin Sensitizers (e.g Rosiglitazone = ROS, Pioglitazone = PIO) introduced into clinical practice in 1997; clinical evidence data showed that TZDs improved both HOMA-R, and HOMA-B. PPARgamma can be activated by TZDs and it appears to be fundamental to the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus i.e increase GLUT-4, increase glucokinase, decrease PEPCK, increase GLUT-4, and decreases production by fat cell of several mediators that may cause insulin resistance, such as TNFalpha and resistin. PPARgamma also mediates increased production of Adiponectin and the insulin signaling intermediate PI3K, and both actions lead to increase insulin sensitivity. A "dual PPARgamma-PPARalpha agonists" (e.g PIO, but ROS poorly activate PPARalpha) might lower glucose and modulate lipids. Thus, PIO, as a stronger "dual PPARgamma-PPARalpha agonists", shows an important therapeutic pathway in diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, even in metabolic syndrome. Current evidence suggests a close relationship between activation of PPARgamma and restoration of insulin sensitivity by reductions in TNFalpha and FFAs, and the enhancement of insulin stimulation of PI3-K Pathway and also increase adiponectin & decrease resistin.
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PMID:New approach in the treatment of T2DM and metabolic syndrome (focus on a novel insulin sensitizer). 1711 68


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