/pdf/inflammation-as-a-central-mechanism-in-alzheimer-s-disease-eiiqrx1far.pdf

Inflammation as a central mechanism in Alzheimer's disease

https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.febslet.2007.11.057

Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

Atherosclerotic disease remains the leading cause of death in industrialized nations despite major advances in its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The increasing epidemic of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes will likely add to this burden. Increasingly, it is becoming apparent that adipose tissue is an active endocrine and paracrine organ that releases several bioactive mediators that influence not only body weight homeostasis but also inflammation, coagulation, fibrinolysis, insulin resistance, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The cellular mechanisms linking obesity and atherosclerosis are complex and have not been fully elucidated. This review summarizes the experimental and clinical evidence on how excess body fat influences cardiovascular health through multiple yet converging pathways. The role of adipose tissue in the development of obesity-linked insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes will be reviewed, including an examination of the molecular links between obesity and atherosclerosis, namely, the effects of fat-derived adipokines. Finally, we will discuss how these new insights may provide us with innovative therapeutic strategies to improve cardiovascular health.

Adipokines: molecular links between obesity and atheroslcerosis.

Chemerin, a Novel Adipokine That Regulates Adipogenesis and Adipocyte Metabolism

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between physical activity and inflammatory markers, with consideration for body fatness and antioxidant use. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, using baseline data from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. SETTING: Metropolitan areas surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee. PARTICIPANTS: Black and white, well-functioning men and women (N=3,075), aged 70 to 79. MEASUREMENTS: Interviewer-administered questionnaires of previous-week household, walking, exercise, and occupational/volunteer physical activities. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the association between activity level and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) with covariate adjustment. Antioxidant supplement use (multivitamin, vitamins E or C, beta carotene) was evaluated as an effect modifier of the association. RESULTS: Higher levels of exercise were associated with lower levels of CRP (P 180 min/wk). Adjustment for body fatness attenuated the associations somewhat. Use of antioxidant supplements modified the CRP (P-interaction=.01) and IL-6 (P-interaction=.08) associations such that concentrations were low in those taking supplements (e.g., CRP=1.79-1.84 across exercise levels) and higher in nonsupplement users who did no exercise (2.03) than in those who did the most (1.72). Among nonexercisers, higher levels of other physical activity were related to lower levels of CRP (P<.01) and IL-6 (P=.02) but not TNFalpha (P=.36), even after accounting for body fat. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory markers are lower in older adults with higher levels of exercise and nonexercise activity and in antioxidant supplement users regardless of exercise level.

/pdf/physical-activity-exercise-and-inflammatory-markers-in-older-3u0i3w69s0.pdf

Physical activity, exercise, and inflammatory markers in older adults: findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.

Objective: Obese patients demonstrate a variety of biochemical, metabolic, and pulmonary abnormalities. Inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) may have a direct effect on glucose and lipid metabolism. Hypoxemia in itself induces release of IL-6. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between IL-6 levels in healthy volunteers (control group) and three different groups of obese patients: patients without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), patients with OSAS, and patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) (daytime baseline oxygen saturation of <93%).



Research Methods and Procedures: We measured serum IL-6 levels in 25 obese patients (body mass index of >35 kg/m2) and 12 healthy women.



Results: The results demonstrate statistically significant differences in serum IL-6 levels between the control group (1.28 ± 0.85 pg/mL) and obese patients without OSAS (7.69 ± 5.06 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and with OSAS (5.58 ± 0.37 pg/mL, p < 0.0005). In the patients with OHS, IL-6 concentrations were highest (43.13 ± 24.27 pg/mL).



Discussion: We conclude that serum IL-6 is increased in obese patients. The highest IL-6 levels were found in the patients with OHS.

Leonid Roytblat

Papers

Raised interleukin-6 levels in obese patients.