Endocrine Abstracts

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha is one of three PPARs (alpha, beta (delta) and gamma), which are distinguished by distinct lipid and eicosanoid ligands. All three PPARs are present in pancreatic islets. PPARalpha expression and/or activity is important in the regulation of tissue triacylglycerol (TAG) content and fatty acid oxidation (FAO). PPARalpha binds the hypolipidaemic fibrates and promotes FA-mediated up-regulation of FAO. Surplus FA normally up-...

Insulin resistance is an established consequence of glucocorticoid excess. In rats, administration of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone decreases the sensitivity of glucose oxidation to insulin in soleus muscle strips, but sensitivity of lactate formation is unimpaired. In rats, cortisol impairs pyruvate tolerance and, in man, dexamethasone decreases whole-body glucose oxidation. The present study explored possible mechanisms that might underlie these effects. Activat...