Abstract
Natriuretic peptides (NP) are released from the heart in response to volume or pressure overload. Exercise is another physiological stimulus for NP release. Their cardiovascular effects and their role as biomarkers for heart failure are well known. Since the year 2000, more and more data have emerged suggesting a role of NP for the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism. Human in vivo lipolysis is significantly influenced by NPs in a catecholamine and adrenoceptor-independent manner. Released fatty acids are fueled into skeletal muscle to enhance mitochondrial respiration; effects on the respiratory quotient have been documented in humans. In vitro, NP treatment of human myotubes resulted in increased oxidative metabolism and increased fatty acid oxidation, thereby mimicking the effects of physical exercise training. New data from our group suggest that increased NP signaling in obese hypertensive patients enhances insulin sensitivity. Natriuretic peptides signal via type A receptors that contain a guanylyl cyclase domain, and increased intracellular cGMP concentrations. Therefore, receptor-bound and soluble guanylyl cyclase activities (activated by NO) may converge on the same metabolic pathways. Given recent developments in the pharmacology of cGMP signaling (neprilysin inhibitors, PDE5 inhibitors, sGC activators and stimulators), new pharmacological tools are available to elucidate the role of NP/cGMP signaling for human metabolism.
CV
Stefan Engeli studied Biology and Medicine in Berlin. From 2001-2008 he worked as a physician scientist at the Nephrology Department of the Franz Volhard Clinic in Berlin (Charité University Clinics) under the supervision of Prof. Arya M. Sharma, Prof. Jens Jordan, and Prof. Friedrich C. Luft. Since 2008, Stefan Engeli holds a position as Senior Physician in the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology of Hannover Medical School. Together with Prof. Jens Jordan, Stefan Engeli has published more than 60 original peer-reviewed publications in the fields of clinical pharmacology, obesity, and hypertension. His special interests are the role of adipose tissue for obesity-related diseases, regulation of the endocannabinoid system, and the impact of natriuretic peptides on metabolic regulation. The group has extensive experience in describing effects of weight loss on metabolism, the cardiovascular system, and on ectopic lipid storage in skeletal muscle, the liver, and the heart in obese subjects.
This lecture will take place on September 8, 2015 from 17:15 to 18:30 hours in lecture hall H1, Turmgebäude.
Host: Prof. Markus Schwaninger
Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Lübeck
