Metabolic endotoxemia: a molecular link between obesity and cardiovascular risk

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Neves, AL (Author) Other; Coelho, J (Author) Other; Luciana Couto (Author) FMUP; Leite-Moreira AF (Author) FMUP; Roncon-Albuquerque R Jr (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Molecular Endocrinology

Vol. 51 No. 2

Pages: R51-R64

ISSN: 0952-5041

Publisher: BioScientifica Ltd.

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 142 Citations

Scopus - 163 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-JT8

DOI: 10.1530/jme-13-0079

Abstract (EN): Obesity is associated with significantly increased cardiovascular (CV) risk and mortality. Several molecular mechanisms underlying this association have been implied, among which the intestinal barrier has gained a growing interest. In experimental models of obesity, significant alterations in the intestinal barrier lead to increased intestinal permeability, favoring translocation of microbiome-derived lipopolysaccharide to the bloodstream. This has been shown to result in a two-to threefold increase in its serum concentrations, a threshold named 'metabolic endotoxemia' (ME). ME may trigger toll-like receptor 4-mediated inflammatory activation, eliciting a chronic low-grade proinflammatory and pro-oxidative stress status, which may result in high CV risk and target-organ damage. In this review, we discuss the potential molecular implications of ME on several CV risk factors, such as obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, as well as its potential impact on the development of CV target-organ disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14