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mTOR and regulation of energy homeostasis in humans

Marwan Mannaa1, Stephanie Krämer, Michael Boschmann

  • 1Campus Virchow Klinikum, Medical Department, Division of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany, marwan.mannaa@charite.de.

Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|June 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, like everolimus, significantly reduced body weight in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients. This contrasts with rodent studies, suggesting complex mTOR roles in weight regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Metabolic pathways and signaling
  • Endocrinology and hormonal regulation
  • Renal disease pathophysiology

Background:

  • Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic disorder.
  • Mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is crucial for cell growth and metabolism.
  • Rodent studies show conflicting effects of mTOR inhibitors on body weight and appetite.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of mTOR inhibition on body weight regulation in ADPKD patients.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying mTOR's role in energy homeostasis.
  • To review the interaction between adipokines, mTOR, and systemic energy balance.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of clinical data from ADPKD patients treated with everolimus.
  • Review of existing literature on mTOR signaling in energy balance and rodent models.
  • Focus on adipose tissue-derived adipokines and their systemic effects.

Main Results:

  • Everolimus treatment in ADPKD patients led to a significant reduction in body weight.
  • Observed effects suggest both central and peripheral mechanisms mediate mTOR's influence on weight.
  • Findings contrast with rodent data showing increased food intake and body weight with mTOR inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • mTOR inhibition has a significant impact on body weight regulation in ADPKD patients.
  • The precise mechanisms of mTOR in weight control require further elucidation.
  • Dysregulation of mTOR signaling may contribute to obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus.

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