Two back-to-back studies published in the July 23rd issue of Cell, one from Columbia University Medical Center and the other from Johns Hopkins researchers, further the hypothesis that metabolic control and bone remodelling are inextricably linked. Both studies point to…
Blog Archives
PPARγ– A New Twist in the Tale
Obesity and related disorders such as diabetes have reached epidemic proportions. Although the anti-diabetic thiazolidinediones (glitazones) are effective insulin sensitizers, some members of the class have been withdrawn or had their use restricted because of safety concerns. Increased responsiveness to…
High Altitude Metabolism
The cellular responses to low oxygen levels (hypoxia), as occurs at high altitude, are critical for survival. The transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), is a key player in this setting, upregulating genes that preserve function. Included in these…
Lipid Genes Linked to Cancer
Although clinical and epidemiological studies have linked cancer with other chronic conditions such as inflammatory and metabolic diseases, the pathways linking different diseases are poorly understood. Inflammation is commonly associated with the development and progression of cancer and increased cancer…
Controlling Fat Distribution
Extreme accumulation of fat in muscle tissue is associated with cardiovascular disease and is a contributory factor in insulin resistance and type II diabetes. It is therefore important to understand the mechanisms by which fat is taken up from the…
Eating for How Many?
Soon after birth, the human body is colonised by bacteria. Trillions of bacteria take up residence in the gut and perform a range of useful functions such as helping with digestion and absorption of nutrients, producing vitamins, preventing growth of…
Blocking Lipid Droplet Hydrolysis May Be Beneficial
Fatty acids can be stored as triacylglycerol in lipid droplets, typically within adipose tissue, and then later released by the action of triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH, also known as carboxylesterase-3, Ces3). Under normal circumstances, the released fatty acids provide an energy…
Capacity for Physical Endurance comes at a Price
Energy-conserving mechanisms that evolved as protective measures in an environment of restricted food supply and high demand for physical activity promote obesity in times of abundant food and low physical activity. ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in heart and skeletal muscle…
Inhibition of Sirt1 May be the Way to Control Obesity
Activation of the NAD+-dependent deacetylase, sirtuin-1 (Sirt1), has been linked to increased longevity in various species although further studies are needed to establish its role in human ageing. The beneficial effects of calorie restriction on lifespan and the proposed anti-ageing…
Snacking Leads to Inactivity, Obesity
‘Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, sup like a pauper’ is an old and well known proverb but a recently published study gives new insights into why following this advice might help to fight obesity and diabetes. Researchers…
