Research Article Details
Article ID: | A53009 |
PMID: | 17611153 |
Source: | Heart Lung Circ |
Title: | The clinical biochemistry of obesity-more than skin deep. |
Abstract: | While obesity has a high prevalence in developed countries, the routine abnormalities seen from the clinical biochemistry laboratory that may be caused by obesity related pathology do not seem to be as common. Insulin resistance, which is often associated with obesity, is difficult to assess as formal procedures are too complex for clinical practice. Furthermore the interpretation of insulin levels is hampered by their in vivo variability, assay differences and the lack of reference intervals from an unaffected reference population. Interpretation of fasting glucose levels between 5.5 and 6.0mmol/L are also being debated however, it is useful to understand the age related changes in this parameter, which may also be due to increasing obesity in the reference population. The association of obesity and dyslipidaemia in the metabolic syndrome should focus on elevated triglycerides (>1.5mmol/L), which is associated with low HDLC and correlates with atherogenic small dense LDL. High triglycerides are also predictive of fatty liver and the common abnormality of an elevated ALT may not be appreciated if laboratories allow their reference intervals to increase as the population gets more obese with aging. SHBG levels fall with insulin resistance/hyperinsulinaemia and this needs to be taken into account when testosterone is measured. However, low SHBG is showing huge potential as a disease and prognostic marker in obesity. These commonly available tests provide useful insights for the obese patient and their utility may improve with future research into the growing problem of obesity. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.hlc.2007.05.001 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I13 | 3146 | Lipid metabolism disorder | An inherited metabolic disorder that involves the creation and degradation of lipids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_metabolism | disease of metabolism/ inherited metabolic disorder | Details |
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |