Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P01275 (glucagon)
 26,492 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The metabolic response to trauma and sepsis involves an increased loss of body proteins. Specific sites of changes of protein and amino acid metabolism have been identified. In skeletal muscle, the rate of proteolysis is accelerated greatly. The rate of protein synthesis also may be increased but not enough to match the increase in degradation. Intramuscular glutamine concentration is decreased because of increased efflux and possibly decreased de novo synthesis. In the liver, the rate of synthesis of selected proteins (i.e., albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and fibronectin) is decreased, whereas acute phase protein synthesis is accelerated. Tissues characterized by rapidly replicating cells, such as enterocytes, immune cells, granulation tissue, and keratinocytes, exhibit early alterations in the case of decreased protein synthesis capacity. In these tissues, glutamine use is accelerated. Increased stress hormone (cortisol and glucagon) and cytokine secretion, as well as intracellular glutamine depletion, are potential mediators of altered protein metabolism in trauma and sepsis. However, the relative importance of these factors has not been clarified. Therapy of acute protein catabolism may include the use of biosynthetic human growth hormone, possibly in combination with insulin-like growth factor-1, and the administration of metabolites at pharmacologic doses. We recently studied the effects of carnitine and alanyl-glutamine administration in severely traumatized patients. We found that both carnitine and the glutamine dipeptide restrained whole-body nitrogen loss without affecting selected indices of protein metabolism in the skeletal muscle.
 ...
PMID:Metabolic response to injury and sepsis: changes in protein metabolism. 929 Jan 10

Inflammatory cytokines have metabolic actions that probably contribute to the general adaptation of the organism during infectious or inflammatory stress. To examine the effects of interleukin 6 (IL-6), the main circulating cytokine, on glucose metabolism in man, we performed dose-response studies of recombinant human IL-6 in normal volunteers. Increasing single doses of IL-6 (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0 mg/Kg BW) were injected sc in 15 healthy male volunteers (3 in each dose) after a 12-h fast. All IL-6 doses were tolerated well and produced no significant adverse effects. We measured the circulating levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon at baseline and half-hourly over 4 h after the IL-6 injection. Mean peak plasma levels of IL-6 were achieved between 120 and 240 min and were 8, 22, 65, 290, and 4050 pg/mL, respectively, for the 5 doses. After administration of the 2 smaller IL-6 doses, we observed no significant changes in plasma glucose levels, which, because of continued fasting, decreased slightly over time. By 60 min after the 3 higher IL-6 doses, however, the decline in fasting blood glucose was arrested, and glucose levels increased in a dose-dependent fashion. The concurrent levels of plasma insulin and C-peptide were not affected by any IL-6 dose. In contrast, IL-6 caused significant increases in plasma glucagon levels, which peaked between 120 and 150 min after the IL-6 injection. In conclusion, sc IL-6 administration induced dose-dependent increases in fasting blood glucose, probably by stimulating glucagon release and other counteregulatory hormones and/or by inducing peripheral resistance to insulin action.
 ...
PMID:Dose-dependent effects of recombinant human interleukin-6 on glucose regulation. 974 61

Culturing hepatocytes with a combination of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukin 1 beta plus lipopolysaccharide resulted in an induction of nitric oxide synthase and concomitant inhibition of both hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. The inhibition of gluconeogenesis was evident both under basal conditions and in cells stimulated acutely with glucagon. The stimulation of glycogen mobilization by glucagon was largely prevented by the presence of the cytokines. Chronic 24-h treatment of the cells with glucagon attenuated the cytokine response on both glucose output and NO formation in the dexamethasone-treated cells. This effect was antagonized by insulin. Inclusion of 1 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or 0.5 mM NG-monomethyl-L-arginine in the incubation abolished the increase in NO2- plus NO3- induced by the cytokine mixture and partially reversed the inhibitory effects on glucose mobilization in the presence of either insulin or glucagon, confirming the involvement of NO. In contrast the NO synthase inhibitors had little effect on either gluconeogenesis or glycogenolysis in the presence of dexamethasone alone, indicating that NO is only partially responsible for the inhibitory action of the cytokines, and the extent of its involvement depends upon the influence of other hormonal factors on the pathways. The antioxidant trolox also suppressed the inhibition of glucose release by the cytokines under conditions where nitric oxide synthase inhibitors were ineffective, suggesting that both reactive oxygen intermediates and NO may act as mediators, the relative importance of each depending upon the metabolic status of the cell.
 ...
PMID:The importance of nitric oxide in the cytokine-induced inhibition of glucose formation by cultured hepatocytes incubated with insulin, dexamethasone, and glucagon. 943 95

The body's general response to serious thermal injury is characterized by increased vascular permeability immediately after injury and subsequent hypovolemic shock. Skeleto-muscular proteolysis, lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, increased metabolic rate, and a severe systemic inflammatory response induced by local infections or surgical procedures. The increased vascular permeability is mediated by histamine and numerous vasoactive substances, including serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and platelet activating factor. Hyper-metabolism is mediated by hormones such as catecholamines, glucagon, and particularly cortisol. In addition, among the putative mediators of the metabolic response to injury, attention has recently been focused on cytokines and lipid mediators which are mainly produced by activated reticuloendothelial cells. Cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor and cortisol responses are interrelated, since cytokines activate the hypothalamo-adrenal axis. The cytokine storm seen in burn patients may be associated with depression of the immune system and with susceptibility to infection. Thermal injury can also lead to activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increased ADH production, and production of atrial natriuretic polypeptide to maintain the circulatory volume. Burn wound infections or surgical procedures can produce and perpetuate a mediator-induced systemic inflammatory response that may lead to multiple organ failure. Serum levels of interleukin-6 are very sensitive to surgical stress, and may be a useful indicator of the general condition of severely burned patients.
 ...
PMID:[Pathophysiologic changes in patients with severe burns: role of hormones and chemical mediators]. 954 40

To maintain blood glucose levels within narrow limits, the synthesis and secretion of pancreatic islet hormones is controlled by a variety of extracellular signals. Depolarization-induced calcium influx into islet cells has been shown to stimulate glucagon gene transcription through the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein that binds to the glucagon cAMP response element. By transient transfection of glucagon-reporter fusion genes into islet cell lines, this study identified a second calcium response element in the glucagon gene (G2 element, from -165 to -200). Membrane depolarization was found to induce the binding of a nuclear complex with NFATp-like immunoreactivity to the G2 element. Consistent with nuclear translocation, a comigrating complex was found in cytosolic extracts of unstimulated cells, and the induction of nuclear protein binding was blocked by inhibition of calcineurin phosphatase activity by FK506. A mutational analysis of G2 function and nuclear protein binding as well as the effect of FK506 indicate that calcium responsiveness is conferred to the G2 element by NFATp functionally interacting with HNF-3beta binding to a closely associated site. Transcription factors of the NFAT family are known to cooperate with AP-1 proteins in T cells for calcium-dependent activation of cytokine genes. This study shows a novel pairing of NFATp with the cell lineage-specific transcription factor HNF-3beta in islet cells to form a novel calcium response element in the glucagon gene.
 ...
PMID:Characterization of a novel calcium response element in the glucagon gene. 1002 8

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is characterized by the selective destruction of pancreatic beta-cells. Chronic treatment with cytokines induced a low voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ current in mouse beta-cells. The concomitant increase in the basal cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was associated with DNA fragmentation and cell death. Antagonists of LVA Ca2+ channels prevented this elevation of basal [Ca2+]i and DNA fragmentation and reduced the percentage of cell death. Exposure to cytokines did not affect the profile of Ca2+ currents or basal [Ca2+]i in glucagon-secreting alpha-cells. An increased Ca2+ signal through LVA Ca2+ channels may thus be a key feature in cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction.
 ...
PMID:A low voltage-activated Ca2+ current mediates cytokine-induced pancreatic beta-cell death. 1006 44

Nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and glucagon have been implicated in promoting the hyperdynamic circulatory state of portal hypertension. Recent evidence also indicates that increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production is involved in the pathogenesis of this hemodynamic abnormality. This study was aimed at investigating in rats with portal vein stenosis (PVS) the effects on splanchnic hemodynamics of blocking circulating TNF-alpha and the factors mediating the vascular action of this cytokine in this setting. Anti-TNF-alpha polyclonal antibodies or placebo was injected into rats (n = 96) before and 4 days after PVS (short-term inhibition) and at 24 h and 4, 7, 10 days after PVS (long-term inhibition). Short-term TNF-alpha inhibition reduced portal venous inflow and cardiac index and increased splanchnic and systemic resistance. Portal pressure was unchanged, but portal-systemic shunting was decreased. After long-term TNF-alpha inhibition, portal venous inflow and portal pressure were unchanged, but arterial pressure and systemic resistance rose significantly. Anti-TNF-alpha PVS rats exhibited lower increments of systemic resistance after Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin administration and lower serum levels of TNF-alpha, nitrates-nitrites, and 6-keto-PGF1alpha, both over the short and the long term. Serum glucagon levels rose after long-term inhibition. In conclusion, the specific role played by TNF-alpha in the development of the hyperdynamic state of portal hypertension appears to be mainly mediated through an increased release of nitric oxide and prostacyclin. Maintenance of the splanchnic hyperemia after long-term TNF-alpha inhibition could be due to a compensatory release of glucagon.
 ...
PMID:Factors mediating the hemodynamic effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in portal hypertensive rats. 1007 45

Stress mediators play a major role in inducing the hypermetabolic stress state in the liver after major injuries. The majority of studies on the effect of mediators on hepatocytes have focused on single factor effects or on the effect of very complex additives (e. g., serum), and there are no reports which have rigorously identified specific interactions between stress mediators. We used a factorial design experimental approach to evaluate the effects of a four to five day exposure to hormone (glucagon, hydrocortisone, and epinephrine) and cytokine [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] stress mediators on stable cultures of rat hepatocytes. Both individual-factor effects and two factor interactions on the metabolism of urea, glucose, lactate, ketone bodies, albumin, and fibrinogen were evaluated. The cultured hepatocyte model exhibited physiologic responses to the applied stress mediators. While hydrocortisone and epinephrine had no effect, glucagon induced an increase in glucose and urea synthesis. Interleukin-6 increased fibrinogen and decreased albumin production. Furthermore, IL-6 and glucagon caused an increase in the ketone-body ratio (KBR = [acetoacetate]/[beta-hydroxybutyrate]), which is in equilibrium with the intramitochondrial NAD+/NADH. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1beta, on the other hand, decreased the KBR. An important two-factor interaction between IL-1beta and IL-6 was identified, namely that IL-1beta effectively negates the positive effect of IL-6 on the KBR when both are present. These results provide further understanding of the effect of stress mediators on hepatic function and metabolism. These effects may have important implications in the pathogenesis of progressive organ dysfunction which often follows prolonged inflammatory states triggered by major injuries.
 ...
PMID:Metabolic effects of stress mediators on cultured hepatocytes. 1019 93

A large number of observations point towards cytokines, polypeptides released mainly by immune cells, as the molecules responsible for the metabolic derangements associated with cancer-bearing states. Indeed, these alterations lead to a pathological state known as cancer cachexia which is, unfortunately, one of the worst effects of malignancy, accounting for nearly a third of cancer deaths. It is characterized by weight loss together with anorexia, weakness, anemia, and asthenia. The complications associated with the appearance of the cachectic syndrome affect both the physiological and biochemical balance of the patient and have effects on the efficiency of the anticancer treatment, resulting in a considerably decreased survival time. At the metabolic level, cachexia is associated with loss of skeletal muscle protein together with a depletion of body lipid stores. The cachectic patient, in addition to having practically no adipose tissue, is basically subject to an important muscle wastage manifested as an excessive nitrogen loss. The metabolic changes are partially mediated by alterations in circulating hormone concentrations (insulin, glucagon, and glucocorticoids in particular) or in their effectiveness. The present study reviews the involvement of different cytokines in the metabolic and physiological alterations associated with tumor burden and cachexia. Among these cytokines, some can be considered as procachectic (such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha), while others having opposite effects can be named as anticachectic cytokines. It is the balance between these two cytokine types that finally seems to have a key role in cancer cachexia.
 ...
PMID:The role of cytokines in cancer cachexia. 1023 51

Glucagon-like peptides (GLPs) are secreted from enteroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract. GLP-1 actions regulate blood glucose, whereas GLP-2 exerts trophic effects on intestinal mucosal epithelium. Although GLP-1 actions are preserved in diseases such as diabetes, GLP-2 action has not been extensively studied in the setting of intestinal disease. We have now evaluated the biological effects of a human GLP-2 analog in the setting of experimental murine nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced enteritis. Human (h)[Gly(2)]GLP-2 significantly improved survival whether administered before, concomitant with, or after indomethacin. h[Gly(2)]GLP-2-treated mice exhibited reduced histological evidence of disease activity, fewer intestinal ulcerations, and decreased myeloperoxidase activity in the small bowel (P < 0.05, h[Gly(2)]GLP-2- vs. saline-treated controls). h[Gly(2)]GLP-2 significantly reduced cytokine induction, bacteremia, and the percentage of positive splenic and hepatic bacterial cultures (P < 0.05). h[Gly(2)]GLP-2 enhanced epithelial proliferation (P < 0.05 for increased crypt cell proliferation in h[Gly(2)]GLP-2- vs. saline-treated mice after indomethacin) and reduced apoptosis in the crypt compartment (P < 0.02). These observations demonstrate that a human GLP-2 analog exerts multiple complementary actions that serve to preserve the integrity of the mucosal epithelium in experimental gastrointestinal injury in vivo.
 ...
PMID:Glucagon-like peptide 2 decreases mortality and reduces the severity of indomethacin-induced murine enteritis. 1056 23


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>