AMP-activated protein kinase: function and dysfunction in health and disease

摘要

Rising levels of obesity and inactivity in many parts of the developed world are leading to pandemic proportions of so-called 'metabolic syndrome', with its accompanying symptoms of insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and elevated pro-inflammatory/thrombotic state. These symptoms in turn give rise to a significant increase in risk for a variety of disease states including type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke. The widespread scale of metabolic syndrome has major healthcare cost implications for many nations that are currently driving national, and international governmental health initiatives and guidelines aimed at minimizing future crises through disease prevention. It is estimated that up to 50 million people in the USA alone may have this syndrome and the prevalence in the UK has been put at around 25% of the population.