Examinando por Autor "Cruz, Gonzalo"

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  • Miniatura
    Ítem
    Metformin during Pregnancy: Effects on Offspring Development and Metabolic Function
    (2020-06-17) Jorquera, Gonzalo; Echiburu, Bárbara; Crisosto, Nicolás; Sotomayor-Zárate, Ramón; Maliqueo, Manuel; Cruz, Gonzalo
    Maternal obesity during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are both associated with of several postnatal diseases in the offspring, including obesity, early onset hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and reproductive alterations. Metformin is an oral drug that is being evaluated to treat GDM, obesity-associated insulin resistance, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during pregnancy. The beneficial effects of metformin on glycemia and pregnancy outcomes place it as a good alternative for its use during pregnancy. In this line of thought, improving the metabolic status of the pregnant mother by using metformin should avoid the consequences of insulin resistance on the offspring's fetal and postnatal development. However, some human and animal studies have shown that metformin during pregnancy could amplify these alterations and be associated with excessive postnatal weight gain and obesity. In this minireview, we discuss not only the clinical and experimental evidence that supports the benefits of using metformin during pregnancy but also the evidence showing a possible negative impact of this drug on the offspring's development.
  • Miniatura
    Ítem
    Protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) on palmitic acid- impaired insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
    (Elsevier, 2020) Ormazabal, Paulina; Herrera, Karin; Cifuentes, Mariana; Paredes, Adrián; Morales, Glauco; Cruz, Gonzalo
    Background: Obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance (IR). IR at the molecular level may bedefined as a diminished activation of insulin signaling-related molecules (IRS-1/Akt/AS160) as well asreduced glucose uptake. Subject with obesity have elevated plasma levels of saturated fatty acids, suchas palmitic acid (PA), which triggers insulin signaling disruption in vivo and in vitro. Infusions of Lampayamedicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) are used in folk medicine of Northern Chile to counteract inflammatorydiseases. Hydroethanolic extracts of lampaya (HEL) contain considerable amounts of flavonoids that mayexplain the biological activity of the plant. The aim of this study was to assess whether HEL exposureprotects against PA-disrupted insulin signaling and glucose uptake in adipocytes.Methods: Cytotoxicity of a range of HEL concentrations (0.01–10 g/mL) was evaluated in 3T3-L1adipocytes. Cells were exposed or not to 0.1 g/mL of HEL before adding 0.65 mM PA or vehicle andincubated with 100 nM insulin (or vehicle) for 15 min. Phosphorylation of Tyr-IRS-1, Ser-Akt, Thr-AS160was evaluated by Western blot. Glucose uptake was assessed using the 2-NBDG analogue.Results: HEL was not cytotoxic at any concentration assessed. PA-induced reduction in insulin-stimulatedphosphorylation of IRS-1, Akt and AS160 and glucose uptake were abolished by co-treatment with HEL.Conclusion: These findings give new insights about the effect of HEL ameliorating PA- impaired IRS-1/Akt/AS160 pathway and glucose uptake in adipocytes. More studies should focus on lampaya, sincemight represent a preventive approach in individuals whose circulating PA levels contribute to IR.