Remodeling glucose and lipid metabolism through AMPK activation: relevance for treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

In recent years, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a potential target for physiological and pharmacologic treatment of several metabolic disorders. AMPK is a heterotrimeric enzyme that has been proposed to function as a 'fuel gauge' that monitors changes in the energy status of cells. One pathway that is central to the integrated effects of AMPK in peripheral tissues is the stimulation of fatty acid oxidation and prevention of intracellular lipid accumulation, which could exert an important antilipotoxic effect and be of great relevance for the treatment of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Here, we review the recent advances in the physiological role of AMPK in the regulation of lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues, and the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes. Furthermore, we focus on the relevance of AMPK activation in regulating lipid homeostasis in metabolic diseases, such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes.