Autophagy and Metabolic Syndrome: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Consequences

Autophagy is a process in which cells capture their own cytoplasm and organelles and consume them in lysosomes. This mechanism preserves the health of cells and tissues through the replacement of damaged and outdated cellular components with new ones. The breakdown products serve as inputs to cellular metabolism. Autophagy prevents degenerative diseases as it is a powerful promoter of metabolic homeostasis at both the cellular and whole animal level. It reduces ubiquitinated protein accumulation in the brain, and disposes-off the aggregation-prone proteins and damaged organelles that cause Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease. The metabolic syndrome refers to a group of medical conditions which increase the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. It encompasses high blood sugar, hypertension, high cholesterol levels and excess fat around the waist. The process of autophagy has an effect on the development of metabolic syndrome since the metabolic syndrome is caused due to the accumulation of damaged cellular constituents. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to autophagy and metabolic syndrome. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area of medicine as well as for experts.