Revisiting the metabolic syndrome: the emerging role of aquaglyceroporins

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

da Silva, IV (Author) Other; Rodrigues, JS (Author) Other; Rebelo, I (Author) FFUP; Miranda, JPG (Author) Other; Soveral, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences

Vol. 75

Pages: 1973-1988

ISSN: 1420-682X

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-N0E

DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2781-4

Abstract (EN): The metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes a group of medical conditions such as insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia and hypertension, all associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Increased visceral and ectopic fat deposition are also key features in the development of IR and MetS, with pathophysiological sequels on adipose tissue, liver and muscle. The recent recognition of aquaporins (AQPs) involvement in adipose tissue homeostasis has opened new perspectives for research in this field. The members of the aquaglyceroporin subfamily are specific glycerol channels implicated in energy metabolism by facilitating glycerol outflow from adipose tissue and its systemic distribution and uptake by liver and muscle, unveiling these membrane channels as key players in lipid balance and energy homeostasis. Being involved in a variety of pathophysiological mechanisms including IR and obesity, AQPs are considered promising drug targets that may prompt novel therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders such as MetS. This review addresses the interplay between adipose tissue, liver and muscle, which is the basis of the metabolic syndrome, and highlights the involvement of aquaglyceroporins in obesity and related pathologies and how their regulation in different organs contributes to the features of the metabolic syndrome.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16