09/06/2011

Pharmacology and Toxicology Seminar Series: Adipokines:
Molecular Link Between Obesity/Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications

Xinliang Ma, MD, PhD

Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
Thomas Jefferson Universityÿ, Jefferson Medical College
Philadelphia, PA

Adiokines: Molecular Link Between Obesity/Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increases alarmingly, and currently affects 23.6 million people in the United States. The adverse microvascular and macrovascular consequences of diabetes are well recognized, as is accelerated cell death rate, larger infarct size, and poorer outcome following ischemic insult. While identification of signaling mechanisms leading to diabetic vascular injury is critical in reducing IHD morbidity, elucidating the mechanisms rendering diabetic cardiomyocytes more susceptible to MI/R injury is equally important, because this will enable identification of novel therapeutic targets that will reduce diabetic cardiomyocyte death, ultimately reducing IHD mortality in diabetic patients. As the largest endocrine organ, adipocytes produce many cytokines (adipokines or adipocytokines) that not only play significant roles in regulating cellular metabolism, but also contribute to the development of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. Understanding the effect of adipokines upon cardiovascular physiology/pathology and delineating the underlying molecular mechanisms will not only advance our knowledge regarding diabetic cardiovascular complications, but also help to identify potential therapeutic targets.ÿ

Time: 10:00AM

Location: 182 Farber Hall

Cost: Free

Presenter: Xinliang Ma, MD, PhD

Contact: Ji Li | 829-2800