HORMONE AND FLAVONOL REGULATION OF MAMMALIAN METABOLIC SIGNALING PATHWAYS

Abstract

The incidence of obesity is increasing around the world. Obesity is often associated with debilitating diseases including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Both obesity and T2DM are linked to altered peptide hormone signaling, including insensitivity to insulin and leptin. Research in this dissertation investigated how gender, weight loss, and diet components affected signaling pathways that are dysregulated in obesity and T2DM. Chapter II examined the effects of weight loss on secretion of adipokines in an older, obese human population. We asked whether the 2- to 3-fold higher serum leptin levels previously reported in younger women, compared to younger men, were maintained in this older population. The sexual dimorphism of leptin was found to be maintained in this older population. The men and women in this study also responded favorably by lowering their body and fat mass and leptin levels in response to caloric-restriction and increased physical activity.