Interleukin-6 and obesity: the crosstalk between intestine, pancreas and liver.
OBJECTIVE
The concept of IL-6 as a deleterious interleukin was challenged by its anti-inflammatory actions.


RESULTS
The beneficial health effects of exercise and the crosstalk between insulin-sensitive tissues and insulin-producing cells are mediated by IL-6.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-6 displays pleiotropic functions in a tissue-specific and physiological context-dependent manner. There is evidence suggesting that IL-6 worsens insulin resistance in the liver and adipose tissue, while improving insulin sensitivity in the muscle. The effects of this cytokine are influenced by its acute or chronical presence, the latter being associated with insulin resistance. IL-6 has anti-inflammatory effects and a compensatory role in obesity by increasing islet GLP-1 production. The therapeutic approach of blocking IL-6 signal can be diabetogenic.
Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. São José do Avaí Hospital. Itaperuna, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. el-kadre@uol.com.br
Luciana J
LJ
El-Kadre
Augusto C A
AC
Tinoco
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D019858:Enteroendocrine Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D058685:Genetic Pleiotropy; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D050416:Glucagon-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000502:physiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007328:Insulin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1