Dietary Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) to Treat Insulin Resistance

Abstract

Lipodystrophy is a rare condition that generates lipotoxicity resulting in significant insulin resistance. However, lipodystrophy is only one of many chronic conditions associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is defined as the impaired ability of insulin to activate GLUT4-mediated glucose transport into target cells. The molecular reason for the failure of glucose transport is less apparent. Considering the wide range of chronic conditions associated with insulin resistance, a new potential understanding of insulin resistance in terms of an accumulation of metabolic stressors resulting in the inhibition of 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may be warranted. Since AMPK is under robust dietary control, nutrition, as opposed to pharmacological strategies, may be more appropriate to activate AMPK to treat insulin resistance in lipodystrophy and any condition associated with insulin resistance. The focus of this chapter is to outline an AMPK-centric theory of insulin resistance and the combination of defined dietary strategies likely to be necessary to activate AMPK to reduce insulin resistance.