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Anti-Inflammatory and Insulin-Sensitizing Effects of Free Fatty Acid Receptors

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Free Fatty Acid Receptors

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 236))

Abstract

Chronic low-grade inflammation in macrophages and adipose tissues can promote the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Free fatty acids (FFAs) have important roles in various tissues, acting as both essential energy sources and signaling molecules. FFA receptors (FFARs) can modulate inflammation in various types of cells and tissues; however the underlying mechanisms mediating these effects are unclear. FFARs are activated by specific FFAs; for example, GPR40 and GPR120 are activated by medium and long chain FFAs, GPR41 and GPR43 are activated by short chain FFAs, and GPR84 is activated by medium-chain FFAs. To date, a number of studies associated with the physiological functions of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have reported that these GPCRs are expressed in various tissues and involved in inflammatory and metabolic responses. Thus, the development of selective agonists or antagonists for various GPCRs may facilitate the establishment of novel therapies for the treatment of various diseases. In this review, we summarize current literature describing the potential of GPCRs as therapeutic targets for inflammatory and metabolic disorders.

Author Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the preparation of the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Biological Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-0057, Japan

    Junki Miyamoto, Mayu Kasubuchi, Akira Nakajima & Ikuo Kimura

Authors
  1. Junki Miyamoto
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  2. Mayu Kasubuchi
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  3. Akira Nakajima
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  4. Ikuo Kimura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ikuo Kimura .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

    Graeme Milligan

  2. Dep of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan

    Ikuo Kimura

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Miyamoto, J., Kasubuchi, M., Nakajima, A., Kimura, I. (2016). Anti-Inflammatory and Insulin-Sensitizing Effects of Free Fatty Acid Receptors. In: Milligan, G., Kimura, I. (eds) Free Fatty Acid Receptors. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 236. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/164_2016_47

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