Anat Ratnovsky^∗,†, Matthew Mellema^*, Steven S. An^∗,‡, Jeffrey J. Fredberg^*, Stephanie A. Shore^*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.4, No.3, pp. 143-158, 2007, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2007.004.143

Abstract Obesity is a risk factor for asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether metformin, an agent used in the treatment of an obesity-related condition (type II diabetes), might have therapeutic potential for modifying the effects of obesity on airway smooth muscle (ASM) function. Metformin acts via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cellular sensor of energy status. In cultured murine ASM cells, metformin (0.2--2 mM) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation induced by PDGF (10^-8 M) and serotonin (10^-4 M). Another AMPK activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-ß-D-riboruranoside (AICAR), also inhibited PDGF-induced proliferation. Furthermore, cells More >

Jean-Philippe Bastard¹, Mustapha Maachi¹, Claire Lagathu¹, Min Ji Kim¹, Martine Caron¹, Hubert Vidal², Jacqueline Capeau¹, Bruno Feve³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.1, pp. 4-12, 2006

Abstract It now appears that, in most obese patients, obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammation of white adipose tissue (WAT) resulting from chronic activation of the innate immune system and which can subsequently lead to insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and even diabetes. WAT is the physiological site of energy storage as lipids. In addition, it has been more recently recognized as an active participant in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. In obesity, WAT is characterized by an increased production and secretion of a wide range of inflammatory molecules including TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which… More >

Carita Eklund¹, Arja Nenonen^2,3,4, Katriina Kukkonen-Harjula³, Patrik Borg³, Mikael Fogelholm^3,5, Seppo Laine⁶, Heini Huhtala⁷, Terho Lehtimäki⁴, Mikko Hurme^1,8

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.2, pp. 131-135, 2006

Abstract Elevated plasma concentration of C-reactive protein has emerged as an important predictor of future cardiovascular diseases and metabolic abnormalities in apparently healthy individuals. Obese individuals tend to have elevated C-reactive protein concentrations. Weight loss induces a change in this protein, and single nucleotide polymorphisms in regulating genes might affect this change, since C-reactive protein concentration is known to be approximately 40-50% heritable. Our aim was to study the association between the IL6 -174(G/C), IL1B +3954(C/T) and CRP +1059(G/C) single nucleotide polymorphisms, and CRP concentrations in obese men during a weight reduction program. We genotyped 72… More >

Rebecca L. O’Malley, Samir S. Taneja

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, Suppl.2, pp. 11-17, 2006

Abstract The relationship between obesity and prostate cancer is currently a hotly debated topic, but despite the number of publications devoted to the topic, the actual nature of the relationship remains uncertain. Obesity has been shown to have a direct relationship with the incidence of prostate cancer in a number of studies but an equal number of studies have shown no association. The relationship is further obscured with recent findings that obesity in younger obese men may actually be protective against prostate cancer. Confounding factors include the lack of correlation of body mass index (BMI) as… More >

Androniki Kanaroglou, Hassan Razvi

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 3153-3155, 2006

Abstract Two morbidly obese males weighing 159 kg and 184 kg underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for large, symptomatic renal stones. To avoid anesthetic complications and cardiorespiratory compromise in the prone position, the procedures were performed under IV sedation with local anesthesia. The risks of PCNL in this patient population are reviewed, and the technique employed to mitigate the risks in these two cases is described. More >