Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Basic Mechanism in Inflammation-Related Non-Communicable Diseases and Therapeutic Opportunities

Abstract

Obesity is not necessarily a predisposing factor for disease. It is the handling of fat and/or excessive energy intake that encompasses the linkage of inflammation, oxidation, and metabolism to the deleterious effects associated with the continuous excess of food ingestion. The roles of cytokines and insulin resistance in excessive energy intake have been studied extensively. Tobacco use and obesity accompanied by an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the main factors that underlie noncommunicable diseases. The implication is that the management of energy or food intake, which is the main role of mitochondria, is involved in the most common diseases. In this study, we highlight the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction in the mutual relationships between causative conditions. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that fuse and divide in response to environmental stimuli, developmental status, and energy requirements. These organelles act to supply the cell with ATP and to synthesise key molecules in the processes of inflammation, oxidation, and metabolism. Therefore, energy sensors and management effectors are determinants in the course and development of diseases. Regulating mitochondrial function may require a multifaceted approach that includes drugs and plant-derived phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that improve mitochondrial biogenesis and act to modulate the AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Nuclear Recruitment of Neuronal Nitric-oxide Synthase by α-Syntrophin Is Crucial for the Induction of Mitochondrial Biogenesis

“…It is largely known that reduction of mitochondrial mass contributes to exercise intolerance, inflammation, and degeneration typical of skeletal muscle wasting and atrophy (61)(62)(63). Interestingly we have shown that the failure of mitochondrial biogenesis upon ␣-Syntrophin down-regulation is associated with increased marker of myotube degeneration.…”

Implications of oncocytic change in papillary thyroid cancer

“…10 Thyroid steatosis occurs in the context of obesity-induced ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. 16,17 A compensatory response to the stress of obesity might contribute to the high prevalence of oncocytic change in patients with a higher BMI. However, our study is limited by the lack of severely obese PTC patients.…”

Dairy products and inflammation: A review of the clinical evidence

“…Indeed, many articles have been published on this relationship, but systematic reviews are scarce (Labonte et al, 2013) and incomplete. The association between the consumption of dairy products and inflammation in humans, thus merits clarification for the following reasons: (i) milk and dairy products play qualitatively and quantitatively an important role in human nutrition (Haug et al, 2007); (ii) inflammation, in particular low-grade systemic inflammation, has a significant impact on human health and longevity (Candore et al, 2010); (iii) nutrient metabolism and inflammation are mechanistically closely interconnected (Hotamisligil, 2006;Calder et al, 2011;Klop et al, 2012;Calder et al, 2013;Hernandez-Aguilera et al, 2013).…”