#8 Metabolic Syndrome Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is metabolic syndrome?
A condition diagnosed when a person has 3 out of 5 key symptoms:
Abdominal obesity
High blood pressure
Insulin resistance
Elevated triglycerides
Decreased HDL cholesterol
Why is metabolic syndrome important?
It increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
What percentage of 60-70-year-olds had metabolic syndrome?
45%
What percentage of young adults (20-29 years old) had metabolic syndrome in 2002?
5%
What percentage of 40-year-olds had metabolic syndrome?
25%
What happens if energy intake equals energy expenditure?
Body weight remains stable
What happens if energy intake exceeds expenditure?
Body weight increases (weight gain)
What happens if energy intake is lower than expenditure?
Body weight decreases (weight loss)
Why is BMI a poor measure of obesity?
It does not differentiate between muscle and fat mass.
What activates AMPK?
A high AMP:ATP ratio (low energy state).
What are the main effects of AMPK activation?
Stimulates energy production:
Fatty acid oxidation
Glucose uptake (muscles)
Inhibits energy-consuming processes:
Fat synthesis (liver, adipose tissue)
Gluconeogenesis (liver)
Insulin secretion (pancreas)
What are some natural AMPK activators?
Rooibos, Resveratrol, Berberine
What are some pharmacological AMPK activators?
Metformin, GLP-1 mimetics, DPP-4 inhibitors
What are some hormonal AMPK activators?
Adiponectin, Leptin, IL-6
What are some physiological AMPK activators?
Exercise, Fasting, Caloric restriction
Where does the body store excess energy in a healthy person?
In insulin-sensitive subcutaneous fat → Prevents metabolic syndrome.
What happens when adipose tissue is dysfunctional?
Excess fat is stored in organs (liver, heart) → Ectopic fat deposition → Metabolic dysfunction.
What two hormones are secreted by adipocytes?
Leptin & Adiponectin
Why is visceral fat considered bad?
It reduces adiponectin → Increases insulin resistance.
It increases inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6) → Chronic inflammation → Atherosclerosis, hepatotoxicity.
Chronic inflammation is also linked to Type 2 diabetes.
What is the mutation in ob/ob mice?
They fail to produce leptin.
What was discovered from ob/ob and db/db mice?
There is a circulating hormone (Leptin) that signals energy stores to the brain.
What is the mutation in db/db mice?
They have a defective leptin receptor.
What does leptin do?
Signals fat stores and nutritional state to the brain.
How is leptin secretion related to fat stores?
More fat → More leptin.
