Diabetologia
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Atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) levels and activity are elevated in hepatocytes of individuals with type 2 diabetes and cause excessive increases in the levels of lipogenic and gluconeogenic enzymes; aPKC inhibitors largely correct these aberrations. Metformin improves hepatic gluconeogenesis by activating 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, metformin also activates aPKC in certain tissues; in the liver, this activation could amplify diabetic aberrations and offset the positive effects of AMPK. In this study, we examined whether metformin activates aPKC in human hepatocytes and the metabolic consequences of any such activation. ⋯ Metformin and AICAR activate aPKC together with AMPK in human hepatocytes. Activation of aPKC increases lipogenic enzyme levels and alters gluconeogenic enzyme levels, and therefore appears to offset the positive effects of AMPK.
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Obesity is a heterogeneous condition comprising both individuals who remain metabolically healthy (MHO) and those who develop metabolic disorders (metabolically unhealthy, MUO). Adipose tissue is also heterogeneous in that its visceral component is more frequently associated with metabolic dysfunction than its subcutaneous component. The development of metabolic disorders is partly mediated by the NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which increases the secretion of inflammatory cytokines via activation of caspase-1. We compared the immunological profile and NLRP3 activity in adipose tissue between MUO and MHO individuals. ⋯ The MUO phenotype seems to be associated with an increased activation of the NLPR3 inflammasome in macrophages infiltrating visceral adipose tissue, and a less favourable inflammatory profile compared with the MHO phenotype.