Université de Fribourg

mTOR signalling: the molecular interface connecting metabolic stress, aging and cardiovascular diseases

Yang, Zhihong ; Ming, Xiu-Fen

In: Obesity Reviews, 2012, vol. 13, no. S2, p. 58–68

The continuing increase in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders such as type-II diabetes and an accelerating aging population globally will remain the major contributors to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in the 21st century. It is well known that aging is highly associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Growing evidence also shows that obesity and metabolic...

Université de Fribourg

Ectopic fat storage in heart, blood vessels and kidneys in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases

Montani, Jean-Pierre ; Carroll, Joan F. ; Dwyer, Terry M. ; Antic, Vladan ; Yang, Zhihong ; Dulloo, Abdul G.

In: International Journal of Obesity, 2004, vol. 28, p. S58-65

In humans and most animal models, the development of obesity leads not only to increased fat depots in classical adipose tissue locations but also to significant lipid deposits within and around other tissues and organs, a phenomenon known as ectopic fat storage. The purpose of this review is to explore the possible locations of ectopic fat in key target-organs of cardiovascular control (heart,...

Université de Fribourg

Thrombin Stimulates Human Endothelial Arginase Enzymatic Activity via RhoA/ROCK Pathway

Ming, Xiu-Fen ; Barandier, Christine ; Viswambharan, Hema ; Kwak, Brenda R. ; Mach, François ; Mazzolai, Lucia ; Hayoz, Daniel ; Ruffieux, Jean ; Rusconi, Sandro ; Montani, Jean-Pierre ; Yang, Zhihong

In: Circulation, 2004, vol. 110, p. 3708-3714

Background— Arginase competes with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) for the substrate L-arginine and decreases NO production. This study investigated regulatory mechanisms of arginase activity in endothelial cells and its role in atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— In human endothelial cells isolated from umbilical veins, thrombin concentration- and time-dependently stimulated...