Yu ZW, Li D, Ling WH, Jin TR. Role of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 in metabolic homeostasis and insulin action: A novel opportunity for diabetes treatment? World J Diabetes 2012; 3(1): 19-28 [PMID: 22253942 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v3.i1.19]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Zhi-Wen Yu, Associate Professor, Guangdong Proviincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Room 517, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China. yuzhiwen@yahoo.com
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World J Diabetes. Jan 15, 2012; 3(1): 19-28 Published online Jan 15, 2012. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v3.i1.19
Role of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 in metabolic homeostasis and insulin action: A novel opportunity for diabetes treatment?
Zhi-Wen Yu, Dan Li, Wen-Hua Ling, Tian-Ru Jin
Zhi-Wen Yu, Dan Li, Wen-Hua Ling, Tian-Ru Jin, Guandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, Public Health Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Tian-Ru Jin, Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto M5G 1L7, Canada
Author contributions: Yu ZW performed the literature survey, writing, referencing and final review of the manuscript; Li D was responsible for the literature survey and revising the manuscript; Ling WH and Jin TR were responsible for the editing and review of the manuscript.
Supported by An operating grant from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, No. 89887 to Jin TR; a NSFC grant, No. 81072300 to Jin TR and Yu ZW; a NSFC grant, No. 30730079 to Ling WH in part
Correspondence to: Zhi-Wen Yu, Associate Professor, Guangdong Proviincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Room 517, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China. yuzhiwen@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-20-87330625 Fax: +86-20-87330446
Received: September 1, 2011 Revised: November 18, 2011 Accepted: January 9, 2012 Published online: January 15, 2012
Abstract
Redox balance is fundamentally important for physiological homeostasis. Pathological factors that disturb this dedicated balance may result in oxidative stress, leading to the development or aggravation of a variety of diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome as well as inflammation, aging and cancer. Thus, the capacity of endogenous free radical clearance can be of patho-physiological importance; in this regard, the major reactive oxygen species defense machinery, the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) system needs to be precisely modulated in response to pathological alterations. While oxidative stress is among the early events that lead to the development of insulin resistance, the activation of Nrf2 scavenging capacity leads to insulin sensitization. Furthermore, Nrf2 is evidently involved in regulating lipid metabolism. Here we summarize recent findings that link the Nrf2 system to metabolic homeostasis and insulin action and present our view that Nrf2 may serve as a novel drug target for diabetes and its complications.
