Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB): A novel cause for diabetes, coronary artery disease and cancer initiation and promotion?

Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States (US). Obesity has been recognized as a modifiable risk factor for many diverse diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer burden. Common contributors to obesity include a high fat diet, smoking and physical inactivity. Systemic effects of obesity include increased micro-inflammatory molecules such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) that influence the both endothelial and epithelial layers as well as the supportive stroma. An emerging risk factor for micro-inflammation also includes periodontal disease. These pro-inflammatory states are hypothesized to contribute to diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease and cancer through the direct activation of NF-kappa B. Therefore, a comprehensive health care strategy would include reduction of diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer risk through the decrease in micro-inflammation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.