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Review
. 2014 Nov;34(4):785-96.
doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2014.07.004. Epub 2014 Aug 21.

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and airway disease: a bioenergetic problem?

Anurag Agrawal  1 , Y S Prakash  2
Affiliations
Review

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and airway disease: a bioenergetic problem?

Anurag Agrawal et al. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2014 Nov.

Abstract

Multiple studies have determined that obesity increases asthma risk or severity. Metabolic changes of obesity, such as diabetes or insulin resistance, are associated with asthma and poorer lung function. Insulin resistance is also found to increase asthma risk independent of body mass. Conversely, asthma is associated with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and obesity. Here we review our current understanding of how dietary and lifestyle factors lead to changes in mitochondrial metabolism and cellular bioenergetics, inducing various components of the cardiometabolic syndrome and airway disease.

Keywords: Arginine; Asthma; Bioenergetics; Metabolic syndrome; Metformin; Mitochondria; Reactive oxygen species; Statin.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Mitochondrial function in health
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells. The tricarboxylic/citric acid cycle (TCA) and electron transport chain (ETC) work in conjunction with glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation to extract the energy stored in carbon-hydrogen bonds and store it in ATP, which is the energy currency of the cell. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during flow of electrons across ETC, which are scavenged by local antioxidants. A low level of ROS is important in cell signaling and other than ATP production, mitochondria also participate in calcium regulation and steroid synthesis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common point of convergence during normal aging or pathological stress. Activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX) or 12/15 Lipoxygenase (LOX) is an important trigger for lipid peroxidation during inflammatory states. Increased ROS generation due to nutrient excess or accumulation of damage with age can lead to similar endpoints.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reversing bioenergetic failure in obesity and asthma.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mesenchymal stem cells are potential mitochondrial donors that transfer healthy mitochondria via intercellular nanotubes to stressed epithelial cells. In experimental models, this has been associated with anti-asthma effects.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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