title: Mineralocorticoid receptor in adipocytes and macrophages: a promising target to fight metabolic syndrome.
abstract: Aldosterone is the primary ligand for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and has been considered long time a "renal" hormone, acting at this site as a key regulator of plasma volume, electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure. A new exciting era of MR biology began with the identification of MR in different non-epithelial tissues such as brain, heart, vessels, macrophages/monocytes, and adipose tissue. The distribution of MR in such a wide range of tissues has suggested novel and unexpected roles for MR, for example in energy metabolism and inflammation. An increasing body of evidence suggests a detrimental effect of aldosterone excess on the development of metabolic alterations. Disturbances in glucose metabolism due to inappropriate activation of MR are frequently observed in patients with primary aldosteronism as well as in obese subjects. MR antagonists have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance and metabolic parameters in experimental animals, whereas their role in humans remains unclear. The aim of this review is to discuss the pathophysiology of MR activation in experimental models, particularly at the level of adipocytes and macrophages, to discuss novel and sometimes contrasting insights from emerging studies, and to highlight deficiencies in the field.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marzolla
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Armani
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feraco
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, S. Eugenio & CTO A. Alesini Hospitals, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosano
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: massimiliano.caprio@sanraffaele.it.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caprio
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid
keywords: Adipocyte; Adipose tissue; Insulin resistance; Macrophage; Mineralocorticoid receptor