title: Vascular AMPK as an attractive target in the treatment of vascular complications of obesity.
abstract: The key for the survival of all organisms is the regulation and control of energy metabolism. Thus, several strategies have evolved in each tissue in order to balance nutrient supply with energy demand. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is now recognized as a key participant in energy metabolism. It ensures an appropriate energetic supply by promoting energy conserving pathways in detriment of anabolic processes not essential for cell survival. Vascular AMPK plays a critical role in the regulation of blood flow and vascular tone through several mechanisms, including vasodilation by stimulating nitric oxide release in endothelial cells. Since obesity leads to endothelial damage and AMPK dysregulation, AMPK activation might be an important strategy to restore vascular function in cardiometabolic alterations. In the present review we focus on the role of vascular AMPK in both endothelial and smooth muscle cells, paying special attention to its dysregulation in obesity- and high-fat diet-related complications, as well as to the mechanisms and benefits of vascular AMPK activation.
authors: Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, 28668 Madrid, Spain.
authors: C F
authors: CF
authors: García-Prieto
authors: Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, 28668 Madrid, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gil-Ortega
authors: Instituto Pluridisciplinar and Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Aránguez
authors: Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias, Edificio N3, Universidad Católica del Norte de Chile, Angamos, 0610 Antofagasta, Chile.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ortiz-Besoain
authors: Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, 28668 Madrid, Spain.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Somoza
authors: Instituto Pluridisciplinar and Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: marisolf@farm.ucm.es.
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Fernández-Alfonso
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: High-fat diet; Obesity; Vascular AMPK