| Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to suppress atherosclerosis and its complications. CLA also stimulates the expression of adipokines like adiponectin, which is inversely associated with atherosclerotic risk.; Consequently, it was hypothesized that CLA reduces atherosclerotic changes by modulating adipokines and subsequent cell signalling. The primary objective of my study was to investigate the mechanistic actions of CLA and adiponectin in porcine smooth muscle cells (SMC). AMP-activated protein-kinase (AMPK), the 'metabolic master switch', has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects on SMCs, and is activated by adiponectin. Thus, AMPK activation could explain the beneficial effects of CLA and adiponectin in reducing atherosclerotic progression. The relative contribution of adiponectin (full-length and globular), leptin, and CLA to the activation of AMPK, as well as SMC proliferation and/or protein synthesis, was therefore examined. Furthermore, their influence on the phosphorylation state of Akt, a marker of phosphoinositide-3 kinase activation, was monitored.; In conclusion, globular adiponectin exhibits anti-mitogenic effects in SMCs, while adiponectin and CLA do not have anti-atherosclerotic properties in SMCs. The mechanisms through which these agents act remain undefined. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
