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AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK): Does This Master Regulator of Cellular Energy State Distinguish Insulin Sensitive from Insulin Resistant Obesity?

  • Obesity Treatment (CM Apovian, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Although a correlation exists between obesity and insulin resistance, roughly 25 % of obese individuals are insulin sensitive. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor that among its many actions, integrates diverse physiological signals to restore energy balance. In addition, in many situations it also increases insulin sensitivity. In this context, AMPK activity is decreased in very obese individuals undergoing bariatric surgery who are insulin resistant compared to equally obese patients who are insulin sensitive. In this review, we will both explore what distinguishes these individuals, and evaluate the evidence that diminished AMPK is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome-associated disorders in other circumstances.

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Acknowledgments

Neil B. Ruderman has received grant support and support for travel to meetings for the study or otherwise from NIH.

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Conflict of Interest

X. Julia Xu declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Rudy J. Valentine declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Neil B. Ruderman has received grant support from Takeda for studies of GLIP-1 activation of AMPK in endothelial cells.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, 650 Albany Street, Room 820, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    X. Julia Xu, Rudy J. Valentine & Neil B. Ruderman

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  1. X. Julia Xu
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  2. Rudy J. Valentine
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  3. Neil B. Ruderman
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Correspondence to X. Julia Xu.

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Xu, X.J., Valentine, R.J. & Ruderman, N.B. AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK): Does This Master Regulator of Cellular Energy State Distinguish Insulin Sensitive from Insulin Resistant Obesity?. Curr Obes Rep 3, 248–255 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-014-0095-x

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