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Adipokines and central control in adenosine A1 receptor dependent glucose metabolism

Robert Faulhaber-Walter1

  • 1National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD USA; and Dialysepraxis Emden; Emden, Germany.

Adipocyte
|May 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Mice lacking the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) exhibit insulin resistance and obesity. This study explores the roles of adipokines and ghrelin in adenosine-mediated energy balance, suggesting a key ghrelin/A1AR axis in metabolic homeostasis.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) deficiency in mice leads to insulin resistance and obesity.
  • The detailed pathophysiological pathways underlying this phenotype are not fully understood.
  • Adipokines and ghrelin are implicated in energy balance regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore potential pathophysiological mechanisms of A1AR-deficiency-induced metabolic dysfunction.
  • To emphasize the roles of specific adipokines (resistin, RBP4, adiponectin) and ghrelin in central energy regulation.
  • To propose the ghrelin/A1AR axis as a significant factor in A1AR-dependent metabolic homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • This is a commentary discussing existing literature and proposing hypotheses.
  • Focuses on the integration of known roles of adipokines and ghrelin.
  • Theoretical exploration of the ghrelin/A1AR axis in metabolic regulation.

Main Results:

  • The commentary highlights the potential involvement of resistin, retinol-binding protein 4, and adiponectin.
  • It postulates a crucial role for the gastric hormone ghrelin in central adenosine-mediated energy balance.
  • Suggests the ghrelin/A1AR axis as a key player in metabolic homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • The ghrelin/A1AR axis offers a strong hypothetical framework for understanding A1AR-dependent metabolic homeostasis.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms.
  • Understanding these pathways could lead to new insights into obesity and insulin resistance.
Keywords:
adenosine A1 receptoradipokinesdiabetesghrelinglucose metabolisminsulin resistanceknock out mouse modelorexin

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