RNA Interference-based Strategies for Metabolic Syndrome Treatment

A. Barthel; S. Herzig; H.-W. Müller; J. Harborth; S. R. Bornstein

doi:10.1055/s-2005-861157

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Table of Contents

Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(2): 59-62
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861157

Review

RNA Interference-based Strategies for Metabolic Syndrome Treatment

A. Barthel¹ , S. Herzig² , H.-W. Müller³ , J. Harborth⁴ , S. R. Bornstein⁵

¹Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Rheumatology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Germany
²Department Molecular Metabolic Control, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
³Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Germany
⁴Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
⁵Department of Medicine, University of Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany

Abstract

RNA interference is a naturally occurring cellular mechanism to inhibit the expression of specific gene products. The technical application of RNA interference offers great potential for the specific treatment of a huge variety of diseases including the metabolic syndrome, one of the most challenging threats to human health associated with our civilization. In order to develop novel and powerful strategies for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome, it is essential to define a set of specific gene products that may be targeted by RNA interference. Based on currently available in vitro and in vivo data, we discuss the feasibility of candidate genes involved in the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome as potential targets for a rational RNA interference based therapy in this review.

Key words

Metabolic syndrome - Insulin signaling - Hepatic glucose production - Adipose tissue - Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Full Text

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Dr. Andreas Barthel

Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Duesseldorf

Moorenstr. 5 · 40225 Düsseldorf · Germany

Phone: +49(211)811-78 10

Fax: +49(211)811-78 60

Email: Andreas.Barthel@uni-duesseldorf.de