We identified an angiotensin-generating system in pancreatic islets and found that exogenously administered angiotensin II, after binding to its receptors (angiotensin II type 1 receptor [AT1R]), inhibits insulin release in a manner associated with decreased islet blood flow and (pro)insulin biosynthesis. The present study tested the hypothesis that there is a change in AT1R expression in the p...

Obesity is associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation state. As a consequence, adipose tissue expresses pro-inflammatory cytokines that propagate inflammatory responses systemically elsewhere, promoting whole-body insulin resistance and consequential islet β-cell exhaustation. Thus, insulin resistance is considered the early stage of type 2 diabetes. However, there is evidence of obese in...

Both Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and hyperactivation of the nutrient-sensing mTOR/S6 kinase cascade have been linked to aging and age-related diseases as well as to the anti-aging effect of calorie restriction. Recent findings that the pro-aging and pro-oxidant molecule p66shc contributes to S6K activation by nutrients and promotes insulin resistance and diabetes in mice may provide an answer...

Commitment to B-lymphocyte differentiation is characterized by expression of the B220 form of the common leukocyte antigen (Ly-5) and D-JH rearrangement of the Ig heavy chain gene complex. B-lineage progenitor cells, or pro-B cells, that have initiated Ig gene rearrangement, but do not express detectable Ig heavy or light chain protein, have recently been shown to retain substantial capacity fo...

Obesity is associated with altered gut microbiota composition and impaired gut barrier function. These changes, together with interrelated mesenteric adipose tissue inflammation, result in increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, bacteria-derived factors, and lipids into the portal circulation, promoting the development of (hepatic) insulin resistance. Herein, the potential impact of ob...

Metabolic Syndrome (also referred to as Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Syndrome X, and the Deadly Quartet) is diagnosed by several combined risk factors, and is most notably defined by its patients’ pro-inflammatory state. Metabolic syndrome identifies a cluster of symptoms affecting multiple organs and systems, most importantly the cardiovascular and sugar metabolism systems. Frequent symptoms i...

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. We present two cases of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and concomitant diabetes mellitus, who showed a marked decrease of fructosamine levels after initiating therapy with adalimumab, a TNFalpha-blocking agent, for active RA. This finding may implicate...

The link between obesity and diabetes is strong as well as complex. Fat cells produce many circulating regulators of insulin sensitivity, including pro-inflammatory cytokines. In rodents, resistin is produced by adipose tissue, and is a significant regulator of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In humans, resistin is derived made mainly from macrophages. Given the emerging interrelati...