Title:Targeting AMPK Signaling in the Liver: Implications for Obesity and
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Volume: 23
Issue: 11
Author(s): Doudou Wang, Lin Yang and Ying Liu*
Affiliation:
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangguang South Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, 102401, China
Keywords:
AMPK, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver, AMPK activators, hyperglycemia.
Abstract: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as common metabolic diseases, are pathologically
characterized by overnutrition and insulin resistance (IR), which subsequently lead to glucose
and lipid metabolism disorders. The liver, a major metabolic organ of the body, integrates
hormone and metabolic signals to regulate the synthesis of lipids and glucose as well as their
transport to peripheral tissues, hence playing an essential role in the development of obesity and
T2DM. Adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator involved
in cellular and organismal metabolism in eukaryotes, which activates processes that produce
ATP and diminishes its consumption. In addition, AMPK also regulates mitochondrial homeostasis
and promotes autophagy, both of which are associated with the pathogenesis of IR. Therefore, increasing
AMPK activity is considered a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent obesity and
T2DM. In this review, we summarize the role of hepatic AMPK in obesity and T2DM and the potential
of using AMPK activators as therapeutics for metabolic disorders.