Fructose and the Metabolic Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Molecular Mechanisms

OBESITY -- Research
METABOLIC syndrome
FRUCTOSE -- Physiological aspects
INSULIN resistance
NECROSIS
NF-kappa B (DNA-binding protein)
PROTEIN-tyrosine phosphatase
TUMOR necrosis factor
NUTRITION -- Research

Abstract:Emerging evidence suggests that increased dietary consumption of fructose in Western society may be a potentially important factor in the growing rates of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. This review will discuss fructose-induced perturbations in cell signaling and inflammatory cascades in insulin-sensitive tissues. In particular, the roles of cellular signaling molecules including nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?), c-Jun amino terminal kinase 1 (JNK-1), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), liver X receptor (LXR), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) will be addressed. Considering the prevalence and seriousness of the metabolic syndrome, further research on the underlying molecular mechanisms and preventative and curative strategies is warranted.