Author
Eric D. Hawkins
Bio: Eric D. Hawkins is an academic researcher from Eli Lilly and Company. The author has contributed to research in topics: Insulin & Diabetes mellitus. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 14 publications receiving 3237 citations.
Topics: Insulin, Diabetes mellitus, Imidazopyridine, Population, FGF21
Papers
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TL;DR: It is concluded that FGF-21, which was discovered to be a potent regulator of glucose uptake in mouse 3T3-L1 and primary human adipocytes, exhibits the therapeutic characteristics necessary for an effective treatment of diabetes.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a major health concern, affecting more than 5% of the population. Here we describe a potential novel therapeutic agent for this disease, FGF-21, which was discovered to be a potent regulator of glucose uptake in mouse 3T3-L1 and primary human adipocytes. FGF-21-transgenic mice were viable and resistant to diet-induced obesity. Therapeutic administration of FGF-21 reduced plasma glucose and triglycerides to near normal levels in both ob/ob and db/db mice. These effects persisted for at least 24 hours following the cessation of FGF-21 administration. Importantly, FGF-21 did not induce mitogenicity, hypoglycemia, or weight gain at any dose tested in diabetic or healthy animals or when overexpressed in transgenic mice. Thus, we conclude that FGF-21, which we have identified as a novel metabolic factor, exhibits the therapeutic characteristics necessary for an effective treatment of diabetes.
1,921 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the sphingolipid ceramide is a common molecular intermediate linking several different pathological metabolic stresses to the induction of insulin resistance, and enzymes required for ceramide synthesis are identified as therapeutic targets for combating insulin resistance caused by nutrient excess or glucocorticoid therapy.
1,105 citations
TL;DR: Results provide the first evidence that actin cytoskeletal mechanics are an essential feature of the glucose transport process in intact skeletal muscle and support a distal actin-based role for N-WASP in insulin action in vivo.
127 citations
TL;DR: A series of potent and selective GSK3 inhibitors are discovered, 7-12 show oral activity in an in vivo model of type II diabetes, and 9 and 12 have desirable PK properties.
Abstract: Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is involved in signaling from the insulin receptor. Inhibitors of GSK3 are expected to effect lowering of plasma glucose similar to insulin, making GSK3 an attractive target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Herein we report the discovery of a series of potent and selective GSK3 inhibitors. Compounds 7-12 show oral activity in an in vivo model of type II diabetes, and 9 and 12 have desirable PK properties.
107 citations
TL;DR: Immunohistological studies provided direct evidence that the enzyme is expressed not only in the villi, but also in the crypt regions of the small intestine, which suggests that MGAT2 expression occurs prior to the maturation of enterocytes.
80 citations
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TL;DR: An understanding of the complex pathways of sphingolipid metabolism and the mechanisms that regulate lipid generation and lipid action is required to understand the mechanisms of cell growth, death, senescence, adhesion, migration, inflammation, angiogenesis and intracellular trafficking.
Abstract: It has become increasingly difficult to find an area of cell biology in which lipids do not have important, if not key, roles as signalling and regulatory molecules. The rapidly expanding field of bioactive lipids is exemplified by many sphingolipids, such as ceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide-1-phosphate and lyso-sphingomyelin, which have roles in the regulation of cell growth, death, senescence, adhesion, migration, inflammation, angiogenesis and intracellular trafficking. Deciphering the mechanisms of these varied cell functions necessitates an understanding of the complex pathways of sphingolipid metabolism and the mechanisms that regulate lipid generation and lipid action.
2,856 citations
Cristen J. Willer1, Ellen M. Schmidt1, Sebanti Sengupta1, Gina M. Peloso2 +316 more•Institutions (87)
TL;DR: It is found that loci associated with blood lipid levels are often associated with cardiovascular and metabolic traits, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, waist-hip ratio and body mass index.
Abstract: Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol are heritable, modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease. To identify new loci and refine known loci influencing these lipids, we examined 188,577 individuals using genome-wide and custom genotyping arrays. We identify and annotate 157 loci associated with lipid levels at P < 5 × 10(-8), including 62 loci not previously associated with lipid levels in humans. Using dense genotyping in individuals of European, East Asian, South Asian and African ancestry, we narrow association signals in 12 loci. We find that loci associated with blood lipid levels are often associated with cardiovascular and metabolic traits, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, waist-hip ratio and body mass index. Our results demonstrate the value of using genetic data from individuals of diverse ancestry and provide insights into the biological mechanisms regulating blood lipids to guide future genetic, biological and therapeutic research.
2,585 citations
TL;DR: This work provides a current view of how mitochondrial functions impinge on health and disease and identifies mitochondrial dysfunction as a key factor in a myriad of diseases, including neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.
2,266 citations
TL;DR: It is postulate that this variability in the severity of insulin resistance varies greatly among obese people might reflect differences in levels of lipid-droplet proteins that promote the sequestration of fatty acids within adipocytes in the form of triglycerides, thereby lowering exposure of skeletal muscle to the inhibitory effects of fatty acid.
Abstract: Acquired resistance to the action of insulin to stimulate glucose transport in skeletal muscle is associated with obesity and promotes the development of type 2 diabetes. In skeletal muscle, insulin resistance can result from high levels of circulating fatty acids that disrupt insulin signalling pathways. However, the severity of insulin resistance varies greatly among obese people. Here we postulate that this variability might reflect differences in levels of lipid-droplet proteins that promote the sequestration of fatty acids within adipocytes in the form of triglycerides, thereby lowering exposure of skeletal muscle to the inhibitory effects of fatty acids.
1,980 citations
TL;DR: This Review highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms at play in the generation of obesity-induced inflammation and underscores how defining the immune regulation in metabolic tissues has broadened the understanding of the diversity of inflammatory responses.
Abstract: The obesity epidemic has forced us to evaluate the role of inflammation in the health complications of obesity. This has led to a convergence of the fields of immunology and nutrient physiology and the understanding that they are inextricably linked. The reframing of obesity as an inflammatory condition has had a wide impact on our conceptualization of obesity-associated diseases. In this Review, we highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms at play in the generation of obesity-induced inflammation. We also emphasize how defining the immune regulation in metabolic tissues has broadened the understanding of the diversity of inflammatory responses.
1,942 citations