Energy Regulation Research Articles

Empowering energy communities: The curious case of a socially beneficial community-owned solar park

Energy communities have increasingly become functional actors in European energy markets. Recently, different designs of the renewable energy trade among the stakeholders of an energy community project have gained traction. However, the connection between those designs and the (re)distribution of the social costs and benefits from the project has remained under-represented. There is a need to investigate the connection in light of the emerging energy regulation innovations. In this context, We conducted a social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of an ongoing solar park project owned by a local energy community in the Netherlands. The findings of the SCBA reveal a negative socioeconomic impact of the project in its current form. Therefore, we suggest that it is necessary to change the business model underlying the project and propose a recommendation on the existing regulation. To trigger a positive impact, we propose that the energy community is required to shift its revenue stream from trading electricity with grid operators to trading electricity directly with participating residents.

Proton conductance and regulation of proton/potassium fluxes in Escherichia coli FhlA-lacking cells during fermentation of mixed carbon sources

Escherichia coli uptake potassium ions with the coupling of proton efflux and energy utilization via proton FOF1-ATPase. In this study contribution of formate hydrogen lyase (FHL) complexes in the proton/potassium fluxes and the formation of proton conductance (CMH+) were investigated using fhlA mutant strain. The proton flux rate (JH+) decreased in fhlA by ∼ 25 % and ∼70 % during the utilization of glucose and glycerol, respectively, at 20 h suggesting H+ transport via or through FHL complexes. The decrease in JK+ in fhlA by ∼40 % proposed the interaction between FHL and Trk secondary transport system during mixed carbon fermentation. Moreover, the usage of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) demonstrated the mediation of FOF1-ATPase in this interaction. CMH+ was 13.4 nmol min−1 mV−1 in WT at 20 h, which decreased by 20 % in fhlA. Taken together, FHL complexes have a significant contribution to the modulation of H+/K+ fluxes and the CMH + for efficient energy transduction and regulation of the proton motive force during mixed carbon sources fermentation.

Integrated omics approach reveals the molecular pathways activated in tomato by Kocuria rhizophila, a soil plant growth-promoting bacterium

Plant microbial biostimulants application has become a promising and eco-friendly agricultural strategy to improve crop yields, reducing chemical inputs for more sustainable cropping systems. The soil dwelling bacterium Kocuria rhizophila was previously characterized as Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) for its multiple PGP traits, such as indole-3-acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization capability and salt and drought stress tolerance. Here, we evaluated by a multi-omics approach, the PGP activity of K. rhizophila on tomato, revealing the molecular pathways by which it promotes plant growth. Transcriptomic analysis showed several up-regulated genes mainly related to amino acid metabolism, cell wall organization, lipid and secondary metabolism, together with a modulation in the DNA methylation profile, after PGPB inoculation. In agreement, proteins involved in photosynthesis, cell division, and plant growth were highly accumulated by K. rhizophila. Furthermore, “amino acid and peptides”, “monosaccharides”, and “TCA” classes of metabolites resulted the most affected by PGPB treatment, as well as dopamine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter mediating plant growth through S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), a gene enhancing the vegetative growth, up-regulated in tomato by K. rhizophila treatment. Interestingly, eight gene modules well correlated with differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) and metabolites (DAMs), among which two modules showed the highest correlation with nine proteins, including a nucleoside diphosphate kinase, and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, as well as with several amino acids and metabolites involved in TCA cycle. Overall, our findings highlighted that sugars and amino acids, energy regulators, involved in tomato plant growth, were strongly modulated by the K. rhizophila-plant interaction.

The 26RFa (QRFP)/GPR103 Neuropeptidergic System: A Key Regulator of Energy and Glucose Metabolism.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are strongly associated pathologies, currently considered as a worldwide epidemic problem. Understanding the mechanisms that drive the development of these diseases would enable to develop new therapeutic strategies for their prevention and treatment. Particularly, the role of the brain in energy and glucose homeostasis has been studied for 2 decades. In specific, the hypothalamus contains well-identified neural networks that regulate appetite and potentially also glucose homeostasis. A new concept has thus emerged, suggesting that obesity and diabetes could be due to a dysfunction of the same, still poorly understood, neural networks. The neuropeptide 26RFa (also termed QRFP) belongs to the family of RFamide regulatory peptides and has been identified as the endogenous ligand of the human G protein-coupled receptor GPR103 (QRFPR). The primary structure of 26RFa is strongly conserved during vertebrate evolution, suggesting its crucial roles in the control of vital functions. Indeed, the 26RFa/GPR103 peptidergic system is reported to be involved in the control of various neuroendocrine functions, notably the control of energy metabolism in which it plays an important role, both centrally and peripherally, since 26RFa regulates feeding behavior, thermogenesis and lipogenesis. Moreover, 26RFa is reported to control glucose homeostasis both peripherally, where it acts as an incretin, and centrally, where the 26RFa/GPR103 system relays insulin signaling in the brain to control glucose metabolism. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the role of the 26RFa/GPR103 system as a key player in the control of energy and glucose metabolism. In a pathophysiological context, this neuropeptidergic system represents a prime therapeutic target whose mechanisms are highly relevant to decipher.

Photosynthetic response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 to zinc toxicity.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element but can lead to water contamination and ecological deterioration when present in excessive amounts. Therefore, investigating the photosynthetic response of microalgae to Zn stress is of great significance. In this study, we assessed the photosynthetic responses of neutrophilic Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and acidophilic Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 to Zn exposure for 96 h. The specific growth rate (μ), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. The results demonstrated that Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 was much more tolerant to Zn than C. reinhardtii, with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 225.4 mg/L and 23.4 mg/L, respectively. The μ and Chl-a content of C. reinhardtii decreased in the presence of 15 mg/L Zn, whereas those of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 were unaffected by as high as 100 mg/L Zn. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicated that the regulation of energy dissipation, including non-photochemical quenching, played a crucial role in Zn stress resistance for both Chlamydomonas strains. However, in the case of C. reinhardtii, non-photochemical quenching was inhibited by 5 mg/L Zn in the first 48 h, whereas for Chlamydomonas sp. 1710, it remained unaffected under 100 mg/L Zn. Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 also exhibited a 20 times stronger capacity for regulating the electron transfer rate than C. reinhardtii under Zn stress. The light energy utilization efficiency (α) of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 had the most highly non-linear correlation with μ, indicating the energy utilization and regulation process of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 was well protected under Zn stress. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the photosystem of Chlamydomonas sp. 1710 is much more resilient and tolerant than that of C. reinhardtii under Zn stress.

Dietary fat supplementation relieves cold temperature-induced energy stress through AMPK-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis in pigs.

Cold stress has negative effects on the growth and health of mammals, and has become a factor restricting livestock development at high latitudes and on plateaus. The gut-liver axis is central to energy metabolism, and the mechanisms by which it regulates host energy metabolism at cold temperatures have rarely been illustrated. In this study, we evaluated the status of glycolipid metabolism and oxidative stress in pigs based on the gut-liver axis and propose that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key target for alleviating energy stress at cold temperatures by dietary fat supplementation. Dietary fat supplementation alleviated the negative effects of cold temperatures on growth performance and digestive enzymes, while hormonal homeostasis was also restored. Moreover, cold temperature exposure increased glucose transport in the jejunum. In contrast, we observed abnormalities in lipid metabolism, which was characterized by the accumulation of bile acids in the ileum and plasma. In addition, the results of the ileal metabolomic analysis were consistent with the energy metabolism measurements in the jejunum, and dietary fat supplementation increased the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and lipid metabolism. As the central nexus of energy metabolism, the state of glycolipid metabolism and oxidative stress in the liver are inconsistent with that in the small intestine. Specifically, we found that cold temperature exposure increased glucose transport in the liver, which fully validates the idea that hormones can act on the liver to regulate glucose output. Additionally, dietary fat supplementation inhibited glucose transport and glycolysis, but increased gluconeogenesis, bile acid cycling, and lipid metabolism. Sustained activation of AMPK, which an energy receptor and regulator, leads to oxidative stress and apoptosis in the liver; dietary fat supplementation alleviates energy stress by reducing AMPK phosphorylation. Cold stress reduced the growth performance and aggravated glycolipid metabolism disorders and oxidative stress damage in pigs. Dietary fat supplementation improved growth performance and alleviated cold temperature-induced energy stress through AMPK-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis. In this study, we highlight the importance of AMPK in dietary fat supplementation-mediated alleviation of host energy stress in response to environmental changes.

A Narrative Review on Adipose Tissue and Overtraining: Shedding Light on the Interplay among Adipokines, Exercise and Overtraining.

Lifestyle factors, particularly physical inactivity, are closely linked to the onset of numerous metabolic diseases. Adipose tissue (AT) has been extensively studied for various metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and immune system dysregulation due to its role in energy metabolism and regulation of inflammation. Physical activity is increasingly recognized as a powerful non-pharmacological tool for the treatment of various disorders, as it helps to improve metabolic, immune, and inflammatory functions. However, chronic excessive training has been associated with increased inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, so much so that excessive training overload, combined with inadequate recovery, can lead to the development of overtraining syndrome (OTS). OTS negatively impacts an athlete's performance capabilities and significantly affects both physical health and mental well-being. However, diagnosing OTS remains challenging as the contributing factors, signs/symptoms, and underlying maladaptive mechanisms are individualized, sport-specific, and unclear. Therefore, identifying potential biomarkers that could assist in preventing and/or diagnosing OTS is an important objective. In this review, we focus on the possibility that the endocrine functions of AT may have significant implications in the etiopathogenesis of OTS. During physical exercise, AT responds dynamically, undergoing remodeling of endocrine functions that influence the production of adipokines involved in regulating major energy and inflammatory processes. In this scenario, we will discuss exercise about its effects on AT activity and metabolism and its relevance to the prevention and/or development of OTS. Furthermore, we will highlight adipokines as potential markers for diagnosing OTS.

Microhabitat humidity rather than food availability drives thermo‐hydroregulation responses to drought in a lizard

The regulation of energy, water and thermal balance involves integrated processes that should drive ecological responses of ectotherms to climate change. Functional tradeoffs between thermoregulation and hydroregulation are exacerbated during hot or dry spells, but how microhabitat hydric properties and trophic resource availability influence these tradeoffs remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of microhabitat humidity and food availability on thermo‐hydroregulation strategies in the ground‐dwelling common lizard Zootoca vivipara during a simulated hot and dry spell event. We exposed lizards to a five‐day long acute water restriction in hot conditions in the laboratory and manipulated hydric quality of the retreat site (wet or dry shelter) as well as food availability (ad libitum food or food deprivation). Water restriction and food deprivation caused physiological responses such as muscle catabolism and mobilization of caudal energy reserves. Lizards also developed behavioural strategies to conserve water or energy via decreased thermoregulation effort, higher shelter use and increased eye closure behaviours through time. These physiological and behavioural changes were importantly buffered by the presence of a wet shelter but not by food availability. A wet retreat site reduced the behavioural conflicts between thermoregulation and hydroregulation, allowed lizards to maintain a better condition and reduced physiological dehydration. Instead, food intake did not play a major role in the regulation of hydration state and increased behavioural conflicts between thermoregulation and hydroregulation. A better consideration of thermo‐hydroregulation behaviours and microhabitat hydric quality is required to address ectotherm responses to future climate change.

The European energy crisis, the Dutch TTF, and the market correction mechanism: a financial markets perspective

Abstract In September 2022, the Title Transfer Facility (TTF) prices spiked at unprecedented levels. For various reasons, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Europe was facing an energy crisis: gas supply was significantly reduced while demand remained unchanged. Policymakers responded with a variety of measures, including regulatory interventions on the TTF market. While seeking to improve the situation in the ‘real world economy’, these measures have an important financial regulatory angle. This article investigates the potential impact of these interventions, in particular of the Market Correction Mechanism, on the wholesale gas market from a financial markets perspective. Considering, amongst others, observations from the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, the European Securities and Markets Authority, and the European Central Bank, it appears that these interventions may have unintended negative consequences in light of the functioning and attractiveness of the Capital Markets Union and achieving strategic autonomy.

Interoceptive posture awareness and accuracy: a novel photographic strategy towards making posture actionable.

Interoception, sometimes referred to as the 'hidden sense,' communicates the state of internal conditions for autonomic energy regulation and is important for human motor control as well as self-awareness. The insula, the cortex of interoception, integrates internal senses such as hunger, thirst and emotions. With input from the cerebellum and proprioceptive inputs, it creates a vast sensorimotor network essential for static posture and dynamic movement. With humans being bipedal to allow for improved mobility and energy utilization, greater neuromotor control is required to effectively stabilize and control the four postural zones of mass (i.e., head, torso, pelvis, and lower extremities) over the base of support. In a dynamic state, this neuromotor control that maintains verticality is critical, challenging energy management for somatic motor control as well as visceral and autonomic functions. In this perspective article, the authors promote a simple series of posture photographs to allow one to integrate more accurate alignment of their postural zones of mass with respect to the gravity line by correlating cortical interoception with cognitive feedback. Doing this focuses one on their body perception in space compared to the objective images. Strengthening interoceptive postural awareness can shift the net result of each zone of postural mass during day-to-day movement towards stronger posture biomechanics and can serve as an individualized strategy to optimize function, longevity, and rehabilitation.

Two simple memristive maps with adaptive energy regulation and digital signal process verification

Two simple memristive maps with adaptive energy regulation and digital signal process verification

Time-Stratified Analysis of Electricity Consumption: A Regression and Neural Network Approach in the Context of Turkey

This study aims to apply seasonality and temporal effects in the analysis of electricity consumption in Turkey as a case mixed with regression and neural network methodologies. The study goal is to increase knowledge about the features and trending forces behind electricity usage which provide informed recommendations for smart energy planning and regulation. Comparing and contrasting the regression and neural network models makes it possible to carry out a thorough analysis of the merits and demerits of each model. Moreover, the examination of the limits of the models and their performance in forecasting electricity consumption patterns over the long term is done. The results of this study have a significant impact on power forecasting techniques, and they have meaningful effects on the policymakers, planners and utilities in Turkey. Understanding the story of the use of electricity around the world is very important for the development of sustainable energy policies, resource provision, and the maintenance of reliable and smart energy networks in the country.

Research progress in the regulation of autophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis by AMPK signaling channels

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a widely distributed and evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase present in eukaryotic cells. In regulating cellular energy metabolism, AMPK plays an extremely important role as an energy metabolic kinase. When the body is in a low energy state, AMPK is activated in response to changes in intracellular adenine nucleotide levels and is bound to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Activated AMPK regulates various metabolic processes, including lipid and glucose metabolism and cellular autophagy. AMPK directly promotes autophagy by phosphorylating autophagy-related proteins in the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), serine/threonine protein kinase-dysregulated 51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and type III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-vacuolar protein-sorting 34 (PIK3C3-VPS34) complexes. AMPK also indirectly promotes autophagy by regulating the expression of downstream autophagy-related genes of transcription factors such as forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), lysosomal function transcription factor EB (TFEB) and bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4). AMPK also regulates mitochondrial autophagy, induces the division of damaged mitochondria and promotes the transfer of the autophagic response to damaged mitochondria. Another function of AMPK is to regulate mitochondrial health by stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis and participating in various aspects of mitochondrial homeostasis regulation. This review discusses the specific regulation of mitochondrial biology and internal environmental homeostasis by AMPK signaling channels as central to the cellular response to energy stress and regulation of mitochondria, highlighting the key role of AMPK in regulating cellular autophagy and mitochondrial autophagy, as well as advances in research on the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis.

Analisis Pengungkapan Informasi Penerapan Reklamasi Pascatambang dalam Laporan Keberlanjutan Berdasarkan Ketentuan Peraturan Menteri ESDM No. 07 Tahun 2014

Mining is an activity that utilizes and manages natural resources to meet human needs. In the mining sector, if the mining process is not managed well, mining activities can cause environmental damage such as the decline in soil and water conditions on mining land, disruption of biodiversity, and disruption of social, cultural and economic life in the surrounding community. In this case, mining companies need to carry out post-mining reclamation to reduce the impact of environmental damage. Post-mining reclamation activities need to be disclosed by the company in the sustainability report. This research aims to determine the analysis of disclosure of information on the implementation of post-mining reclamation in the 2021 sustainability report and analyze the suitability of the disclosure based on the provisions of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 07 of 2014 (articles 12&16). This research was conducted on coal mining companies that were listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) in 2021. The total sample taken was 34 company units selected using a non-probability sampling technique, namely Purposive Sampling. Based on the criteria created, 13 mining companies were selected and then content analysis and scoring techniques would be carried out based on the criteria in the regulations used. The results of the research analysis show that the disclosure of post-mining reclamation information is still less than optimal/maximum. Based on the established criteria, the average suitability of information disclosure is still quite low, in the range of 45-50%. Thus, mining companies must remain consistent in publishing sustainability reports and need to increase the suitability of disclosure of post-mining reclamation activities in accordance with applicable regulations. For further research, more variables, company sectors and regulatory references should be used to analyze the disclosure of a company's sustainability report.

Navigating sex and sex roles: deciphering sex-biased gene expression in a species with sex-role reversal (Syngnathus typhle).

Sexual dimorphism, the divergence in morphological traits between males and females of the same species, is often accompanied by sex-biased gene expression. However, the majority of research has focused on species with conventional sex roles, where females have the highest energy burden with both egg production and parental care, neglecting the diversity of reproductive roles found in nature. We investigated sex-biased gene expression in Syngnathus typhle, a sex-role reversed species with male pregnancy, allowing us to separate two female traits: egg production and parental care. Using RNA sequencing, we examined gene expression across organs (brain, head kidney and gonads) at various life stages, encompassing differences in age, sex and reproductive status. While some gene groups were more strongly associated with sex roles, such as stress resistance and immune defence, others were driven by biological sex, such as energy and lipid storage regulation in an organ- and age-specific manner. By investigating how genes regulate and are regulated by changing reproductive roles and resource allocation in a model system with an unconventional life-history strategy, we aim to better understand the importance of sex and sex role in regulating gene expression patterns, broadening the scope of this discussion to encompass a wide range of organisms.

Metformin for sepsis-associated AKI: a protocol for the Randomized Clinical Trial of the Safety and FeasibiLity of Metformin as a Treatment for sepsis-associated AKI (LiMiT AKI)

IntroductionAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of sepsis associated with increased risk of death. Preclinical data and observational human studies suggest that activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, an...

Engineering Ultrathin Alloy Shell in Au@AuPd Core‐Shell Nanoparticles for Efficient Plasmon‐Driven Photocatalysis

AbstractBimetallic core‐shell nanoparticles (NPs) possessing a synergetic coupling of plasmonic and catalytic metals have emerged as promising prototypes for efficient plasmon‐driven photocatalysis. Here, Au@AuPd core‐shell NPs composed of Au core NP and ultrathin AuPd shell are introduced to acquire improved light utilization efficiency in photocatalytic selective oxidation. With systematical control of the composition of the ultrathin alloy shell, it reveals that the Au@AuPd core‐shell NPs with 10 at% Pd (in the single‐atom alloy regime) is an effective nanostructure capable of maximizing the quantum yield of plasmon‐induced light absorption and optimizing the surface electronic structure for catalytic reactions. This controlled system provides new insights into shell engineering for enhancing photocatalytic performance via the regulation of energy funneling processes in core‐shell nanocatalysts.

Integrated improved Harris hawks optimization for global and engineering optimization

The original Harris hawks optimization (HHO) algorithm has the problems of unstable optimization effect and easy to fall into stagnation. However, most of the improved HHO algorithms can not effectively improve the ability of the algorithm to jump out of the local optimum. In this regard, an integrated improved HHO (IIHHO) algorithm is proposed. Firstly, the linear transformation escape energy used by the original HHO algorithm is relatively simple and lacks the escape law of the prey in the actual nature. Therefore, intermittent energy regulator is introduced to adjust the energy of Harris hawks, which is conducive to improving the local search ability of the algorithm while restoring the prey's rest mechanism; Secondly, to adjust the uncertainty of random vector, a more regular vector change mechanism is used instead, and the attenuation vector is obtained by modifying the composite function. Finally, the search scope of Levy flight is further clarified, which is conducive to the algorithm jumping out of the local optimum. Finally, in order to modify the calculation limitations caused by the fixed step size, Cardano formula function is introduced to adjust the step size setting and improve the accuracy of the algorithm. First, the performance of IIHHO algorithm is analyzed on the Computational Experimental Competition 2013 (CEC 2013) function test set and compared with seven improved evolutionary algorithms, and the convergence value of the iterative curve obtained is better than most of the improved algorithms, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed IIHHO algorithm. Second, the IIHHO is compared with another three state of the art (SOTA) algorithms with the Computational Experimental Competition 2022 (CEC 2022) function test set, the experiments show that the proposed IIHHO algorithm still has a strong ability to search for the optimal value. Third, IIHHO algorithm is applied in two different engineering experiments. The calculation results of minimum cost prove that IIHHO algorithm has certain advantages in dealing with the problem of search space. All these demonstrate that the proposed IIHHO is promising for numeric optimization and engineering applications.

Techno-economic analysis of a mini biogas electricity plant (MBEP) for a typical farm in the Zimbabwean off-grid areas

AbstractIn response to declining electricity production in Zimbabwe, the energy regulator engaged various stakeholders to work together to solve the energy shortage problem. Biomass waste, abundant in the country, can contribute to electricity generation for consumption and export to the grid. Compared to other renewable energy resources such as wind and solar, biomass has lower investment and per unit operational costs, making it more affordable. Although farmers in the remote off-grid areas produce large amounts of waste, which can be used for biogas production via anaerobic digestion (AD), the farmers are still ‘energy-poor’. There is insufficient information to enable farmers to make informed decisions on AD technology uptake. This study conducted a techno-economic assessment for a mini biogas electric plant (MBEP) for a typical farm in Zimbabwe’s off-grid areas. The sustainably available biomass for biogas production was determined, followed by quantifying the biogas produced, sizing and selecting the digester type, and sizing the generator. The MBEP produces 435,350.7 kWh of heat and electrical energy from 452 t of biowaste. The first biodigester-type option, the garage-shaped, has a negative net present value ($$NPV$$ NPV ) of − US$416.4. The Carmatec biodigester, the most popular AD technology in the country, has a positive $$NPV$$ NPV (US$216,447.7), but its economics needs improvement. Adopting AD technology allows farmers to mitigate environmental pollution and improve soil fertility by converting organic waste into biogas and biofertilisers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Research was recommended to investigate supportive policies, incentives, and regulatory frameworks to promote the widespread adoption of AD technology in agricultural settings.

AMPK activation modulates IL-36-induced inflammatory responses by regulating IκBζ expression in the skin.

The interleukin (IL)-36 pathway is a critical player in the pathogenesis of pustular psoriasis. However, therapies targeting this pathway are limited or unaffordable (e.g. the anti-IL-36 receptor antibody). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a regulator of cellular energy and metabolism, is known to participate in inflammatory diseases. However, its role in IL-36-induced skin inflammation remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role of AMPK signals in regulating IL-36-induced responses in the skin. IL-36-stimulated primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and IL-36-injected (intradermally) BALB/c mice served as the cell and animal models, respectively. Additionally, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) and A769662 served as AMPK activators. AICAR and A769662 significantly suppressed the IL-36-induced IL-8 (CXCL8) and CCL20 production from NHEKs. IL-36-induced IκBζ protein expression was prominently reduced and IKK/IκBα phosphorylation was attenuated by AICAR and A769662. Conversely, AMPKα knockdown increased IκBζ protein expression and IKK/IκBα phosphorylation in IL-36-treated NHEKs. Furthermore, AICAR and A769662 enhanced IL-36-induced-IκBζ protein degradation via the proteasome-dependent but not the lysosome-dependent pathway. Pretreatment of NHEKs with IL-36 slightly suppressed the AICAR- and A769662-triggered phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. In the mouse model, topical application of AICAR significantly reduced ear swelling, redness, epidermal thickening, neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory and antimicrobial peptide gene expression. AMPK activation suppresses IL-36-induced IL-8 and CCL20 release by regulating IκBζ expression in keratinocytes and reduces IL-36-induced skin inflammation in mice, suggesting that AMPK activation is a potential strategy for treating patients with IL-36-mediated inflammatory skin disorders.