DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i03.005

Pages: 911-916

Metabolic syndrome is the challenging condition in current scenario in developing countries. To overcome it, the best target identification is the most challenging task. The enzyme Adenosine Monophosphate Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) could be one of the targets to battle against such intricate conditions. The Adenosine Monophosphate Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimeric serine/threonine protein kinase. Activated AMPK switches cells from an anabolic to a catabolic state, shutting down the ATP-consuming synthetic pathways and restoring energy balance, regulates key metabolic enzymes to reduce the activity of ATP-utilizing biosynthetic pathways and increase the activity of ATP-generating pathway. The fuel-sensing enzyme 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a major role in the regulation of cellular lipid and protein metabolism in response to stimuli such as exercise, changes in fuel availability and the adipocyte-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin. Abnormalities in cellular lipid metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, possibly because of dysregulation of AMPK and MalonylCoA.It is now recognized that pharmacological activation of AMPK improves blood glucose homeostasis, lipid profile and blood pressure in insulin-resistant conditions. Indeed, AMPK activation mimics the beneficial effects of physical activity or those of calorie restriction by acting on multiple cellular targets. In addition, AMPK is one of the probable targets of major antidiabetic drugs including, the biguanides (metformin) and thiazolidinedione, as well as of insulin sensitizing adipokines (e.g., adiponectin). Taken together, such findings highlight the logic underlying the concept of targeting the AMPK pathway for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.