Metabolic Syndrome

Question 1

What do the 3 thiazolidinediones drugs do (now only one!)?

Answer 1

They switch on a PPARgamma which causes greater partitioning of TAG in the adipose tissue and less in the muscle and liver (which is very dangerous!)

Also increase adiponectin (insulin sensitiser).

Question 2

What is the biggest ‘off-switch’ for ghrelin?

Answer 2

Insulin - In healthy people, they will eat food, causing insulin levels to increase subsequently causing ghrelin levels to drop.

Question 3

What happens to a type-2 diabetics ghrelin levels after eating?

Answer 3

As they’re insulin resistant, ghrelin levels will drop far less as it would in a healthy person.

Question 4

What is de novo lipogenesis (DNL)?

Answer 4

If you were to elevate glucose for a very long period of time, your liver will start to convert that glucose into TG.

Question 5

What is the relationship between insulin resistance and the size of LDL’s?

Answer 5

The more insulin resistant you are, the smaller the size of your LDL’s.

Question 6

What effect does insulin resistance have on HDL, LDL, TAG?

Answer 6

Decreases HDL-c
Decreases LDL size
Increases TAG

= Increased risk of CVD