Lipid oversupply, selective insulin resistance, and lipotoxicity: molecular mechanisms.
The accumulation of fat in tissues not suited for lipid storage has deleterious consequences on organ function, leading to cellular damage that underlies diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. To combat these lipotoxic events, several therapeutics improve insulin sensitivity and/or ameliorate features of metabolic disease by limiting the inappropriate deposition of fat in peripheral tissues (i.e. thiazolidinediones, metformin, and statins). Recent advances in genomics and lipidomics have accelerated progress towards understanding the pathogenic events associated with the excessive production, underutilization, or inefficient storage of fat. Herein we review studies applying pharmacological or genetic strategies to manipulate the expression or activity of enzymes controlling lipid deposition, in order to gain a clearer understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which fatty acids contribute to metabolic disease.
Stedman Center for Nutrition and Metabolism Research, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27704, USA.
Jose Antonio
JA
Chavez
Scott A
SA
Summers
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D008954:Models, Biological; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D013107:Sphingolipids; D014280:Triglycerides