title: AMP-activated protein kinase: a potential target for the diseases prevention by natural occurring polyphenols.
abstract: A reduced life span is an outcome associated with many prevalent diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. In seeking to prevent these diseases, many researchers have looked into potential therapeutic benefits of naturally occurring compounds. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a major metabolic-sensing protein implicated in the prevention of metabolic disorders, or in minimizing the effects thereof, via the regulation of both upstream and downstream target molecules. In the field of food and nutrition, the current focus lies in the finding of components that activate AMPK. AMPK is a serine/threonine protein kinase and is activated by several natural compounds, including resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, berberine, and quercetin. AMPK activation can induce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) generation through pathways such as glycolysis and beta-oxidation. By contrast, ATP-consuming pathways, including fatty acid and cholesterol syntheses, and gluconeogenesis, are suppressed by AMPK activation. In this review, we will discuss how the activation of AMPK by naturally occurring compounds could help to prevent the development of numerous diseases; the potential mechanism underlying these effects will also be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biogeron Food Technology, Korea Food Research Institute, Kyongki-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Taek
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Dae Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Suk Hoo
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004194:Disease; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases