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

The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rat is an animal model of type 2 diabetes, characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of obesity and its related complications, we used representational difference analysis and identified the genes more abundantly and specifically expressed in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of obese OLETF rats compared with the diabetes-resistant counterpart, that is, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. By Northern blot analysis, we confirmed the differential expression of 13 genes, including 3 novel genes. The upregulated expression of well-characterized lipid metabolic enzymes, such as lipoprotein lipase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and cholesterol esterase, were observed in VAT of OLETF rats. We demonstrated the differential expression of secreted proteins in VAT of OLETF rats, such as thrombospondin 1 and contrapsin-like protease inhibitor. In contrast to lipid enzymes, the secreted proteins revealed exclusive mRNA expression and they were not detected in VAT of LETO rats. Furthermore, the novel genes OL-16 and OL-64 were also expressed specifically in VAT of OLETF rats and were absent in that of LETO rats and other tissues, including subdermal and brown adipose tissues. The C-terminal partial amino acid sequence of OL-64 revealed that it showed approximately 40% homology with alpha(1)-antitrypsin and it seemed to be a new member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (SERPIN) gene family. VAT of OLEFT rats had a unique gene expression profile, and the accumulated VAT-specific known and novel secreted proteins may play a role(s) in the pathogenesis of obesity and its related complications.
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PMID:Identification of genes specifically expressed in the accumulated visceral adipose tissue of OLETF rats. 1101 3

There is a rapid global rise in obesity, and the link between obesity and diabetes remains somewhat obscure. We identified an adipocytokine, designated as visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin (vaspin), which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin cDNA was isolated by from visceral white adipose tissues (WATs) of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rat, an animal model of abdominal obesity with type 2 diabetes. Rat, mouse, and human vaspins are made up of 392, 394, and 395 amino acids, respectively; exhibit approximately 40% homology with alpha1-antitrypsin; and are related to serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin was barely detectable in rats at 6 wk and was highly expressed in adipocytes of visceral WATs at 30 wk, the age when obesity, body weight, and insulin levels peak in OLETF rats. The tissue expression of vaspin and its serum levels decrease with worsening of diabetes and body weight loss at 50 wk. The expression and serum levels were normalized with the treatment of insulin or insulin-sensitizing agent, pioglitazone, in OLETF rats. Administration of vaspin to obese CRL:CD-1 (ICR) (ICR) mice fed with high-fat high-sucrose chow improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity reflected by normalized serum glucose levels. It also led to the reversal of altered expression of genes relevant to insulin resistance, e.g., leptin, resistin, TNFalpha, glucose transporter-4, and adiponectin. In DNA chip analyses, vaspin treatment resulted in the reversal of expression in approximately 50% of the high-fat high-sucrose-induced genes in WATs. These findings indicate that vaspin exerts an insulin-sensitizing effect targeted toward WATs in states of obesity.
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PMID:Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor: a unique insulin-sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. 1603 Jan 42

Recently, vaspin was identified as an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing effects, which is predominantly secreted from visceral adipose tissue in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined whether vaspin mRNA expression is a marker of visceral obesity and correlates with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in paired samples of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue from 196 subjects with a wide range of obesity, body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and glucose tolerance. Vaspin mRNA expression was only detectable in 23% of the visceral and in 15% of the subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue samples. Vaspin mRNA expression was not detectable in lean subjects (BMI<25) and was more frequently detected in patients with type 2 diabetes. No significant correlations were found between visceral vaspin gene expression and visceral fat area or SC vaspin expression. However, visceral vaspin expression significantly correlates with BMI, % body fat, and 2 h OGTT plasma glucose. Subcutaneous vaspin mRNA expression is significantly correlated with WHR, fasting plasma insulin concentration, and glucose infusion rate during steady state of an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed % body fat as strongest predictor of visceral vaspin and insulin sensitivity as strongest determinant of SC vaspin mRNA expression. In conclusion, our data indicate that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.
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PMID:Vaspin gene expression in human adipose tissue: association with obesity and type 2 diabetes. 1629 35

Interest in the biology of white adipose tissue (WAT) has increased dramatically since the discovery of leptin in 1994. The identification of the product of the gene obese (ob) threw light on the role of adipose tissue in the physiopathology of obesity-related diseases, and spurred the identification of numerous other adipokines, many of a pro-inflammatory nature. It has become increasingly evident that WAT-derived cytokines mediate between obesity-related exogenous factors (nutrition and lifestyle) and the molecular events that lead to metabolic syndrome and inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions. Here, we review recent adipokine research, with particular attention to the roles of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, apelin, vaspin and hepcidin in such conditions.
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PMID:The emerging role of adipokines as mediators of inflammation and immune responses. 1750 80

The objective of this study was to review the available information on the signaling proteins produced by adipose tissue in the context of their role in regulating reproductive processes, including ovarian and uterine function. It is well known that both obesity and excessive leanness are associated with reproductive dysfunction. Adipokines are cytokines predominantely or exclusively expressed by adipose tissue that circulate and affect target tissues. Four known adipokines, adiponectin, visfatin/PBEF, omentin and vaspin, all increase tissue sensitivity to insulin, and are thus described as 'beneficial'. There is strong support for a role for adiponectin in the function of the ovary and placenta. There is evidence for direct effects of this adipokine on the late stages of folliculogenesis, and additive interactions of adiponectin with insulin and gonadotropins in inducing periovulatory changes in ovarian follicles. In addition, clinical and genomic studies associate hypoadiponectinemia with obesity-related reproductive disorders, including the polycystic ovarian syndrome. The roles for visfatin/PBEF, omentin and vaspin in reproduction remain to be established. The conclusion thus drawn is that the expression of insulin-sensitizing adipokines varies with adipose abundance. These adipokines have demonstrated both the potential effects on ovarian function and the possible effects on the formation of the placenta, acting through multiple mechanisms.
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PMID:The 'beneficial' adipokines in reproduction and fertility. 1792 61

Adipose tissue is the source of soluble mediators (adipokines), secreted mainly by adipocytes. Leptin acts on the brain and peripheral organs to regulate energy homeostasis and the neuroendocrine axis. Adiponectin regulates glucose and lipid metabolism by targeting the liver and skeletal muscle. Adiposederived proinflammatory cytokines, vasoactive peptides, coagulation and complement factors, visfatin, vaspin and retinol-binding protein signal through paracrine and hormonal mechanisms. Understanding the biology of adipose tissue and the rapidly growing list of adipokines provides new insights into normal physiological regulation, as well as the pathogenesis and treatment of obesity, diabetes and disorders of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular system.
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PMID:Adipokines in obesity. 1823 Sep 3

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is an interesting novel adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing effects. Some studies have suggested that vaspin could play an important role in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. The induction of vaspin mRNA expression could represent a compensatory mechanism associated with obesity, severe insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, however it is unclear whether a correlation exists between human vaspin serum levels and markers of insulin sensitivity and glucose or lipid metabolism. Vaspin serum concentrations have been shown to be lower in lean subjects and competitive sportsmen with long-term physical training, but they are increased with weight loss associated with a physical training programme. In conclusion, there is at present no clear proof of a causal link between vaspin and visceral fat accumulation, or insulin resistance. This article reviews the role of vaspin in obesity-associated diseases and its potential as a new biomarker for obesity and impaired insulin sensitivity.
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PMID:A novel adipocytokine, visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin), and obesity. 1865 56

Vaspin has recently been identified as novel adipokine with high expression in adipose tissue of obese and type 2 diabetic subjects and with potentially insulin-sensitising properties. However, the impact of vaspin gene variants on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been determined yet. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the association of vaspin single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with T2DM and obesity. We analysed the association between 25 vaspin SNPs and T2DM in initially healthy 35-84 year-old individuals of the population-based, cross-sectional German KORA F3 study and assessed the association with measures of obesity. Genotyping was carried out with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry of allele-dependent primer extension products and associations with T2DM and obesity were analysed by logistic regression analysis. Our results demonstrate a significant association of vaspin SNP rs2236242 with T2DM in the KORA F3 study with the AA genotype bearing an increased risk (adjusted OR 2.35 [1.59; 3.46] versus AT/TT). This association appears to be independent of obesity. Our finding corroborates previous studies that suggested a link between the novel adipokine vaspin and glucose metabolism.
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PMID:Vaspin (SERPINA12) genotypes and risk of type 2 diabetes: Results from the MONICA/KORA studies. 1872 71

Obesity is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Adipokines may directly influence vessel wall homeostasis by influencing the function of endothelial cells, arterial smooth muscle cells, and modulating inflammation. Recently, visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin (vaspin) was identified as a novel adipokine related to obesity and its metabolic consequences. However, the regulation of vaspin serum concentrations in human atherosclerosis is unknown. We therefore assessed vaspin serum concentrations in 107 consecutive patients with carotid stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in relation to severity of atherosclerosis, measures of obesity and circulating markers of obesity and atherosclerosis. Vaspin serum concentrations were significantly lower in patients with carotid stenosis who experienced an ischemic event within 3 months before surgery compared to asymptomatic patients. However, circulating vaspin was not associated with measures of atherosclerosis severity as maximum percentage stenosis. Vaspin serum concentrations were indistinguishable before and after CEA. We found a significant correlation between vaspin and leptin serum concentrations supporting previous results that vaspin closely reflects body fat mass. In conclusion, our data show that low vaspin serum concentrations correlate with recently experienced ischemic events in patients with carotid stenosis despite the lack of an association between circulating vaspin and parameters of atherosclerosis severity.
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PMID:Vaspin serum concentrations in patients with carotid stenosis. 1884 28

Obesity is associated with an array of health problems in adult and pediatric populations. Understanding the pathogenesis of obesity and its metabolic sequelae has advanced rapidly over the past decades. Adipose tissue represents an active endocrine organ that, in addition to regulating fat mass and nutrient homeostasis, releases a large number of bioactive mediators (adipokines) that signal to organs of metabolic importance including brain, liver, skeletal muscle, and the immune system--thereby modulating hemostasis, blood pressure, lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. In the present review, we summarize current data on the effect of the adipose tissue-derived hormones adiponectin, chemerin, leptin, omentin, resistin, retinol binding protein 4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, vaspin, and visfatin on insulin resistance.
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PMID:Adipokines and insulin resistance. 1900 16


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