禁食与胰岛素处理对鳜血糖和leptin-A基因表达的影响

为研究硬骨鱼类leptin基因表达与血糖之间的关系, 研究在禁食与胰岛素处理后, 检测鳜血糖和肝脏、肠道和脂肪组织leptin-A基因表达水平。在禁食实验中, 鳜被禁食10d, 并分别于禁食后0、4h、2d、6d和10d取样。禁食后6d鳜血糖开始降低, 禁食后10d鳜血糖显著降低。同时, 禁食后6d鳜肝脏leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平显著升高, 禁食后4h鳜肠道和脂肪组织leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平均显著升高。在胰岛素处理实验中, 分别于注射后12h和36h取样。腹腔注射胰岛素后12h, 鳜血糖显著降低, 而鳜肝脏、肠道和脂肪组织leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平无明显变化。腹腔注射insulin后36h, 鳜肠道leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平显著升高。研究结果表明, 长期禁食或胰岛素处理均能够降低鳜血糖水平, 且影响消化器官和脂肪储存器官leptin-A基因表达。     

禁食与胰岛素处理对鳜血糖和leptin-A基因表达的影响（英文）

为研究硬骨鱼类leptin基因表达与血糖之间的关系,研究在禁食与胰岛素处理后,检测鳜血糖和肝脏、肠道和脂肪组织leptin-A基因表达水平。在禁食实验中,鳜被禁食10d,并分别于禁食后0、4h、2d、6d和10d取样。禁食后6d鳜血糖开始降低,禁食后10d鳜血糖显著降低。同时,禁食后6d鳜肝脏leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平显著升高,禁食后4h鳜肠道和脂肪组织leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平均显著升高。在胰岛素处理实验中,分别于注射后12h和36h取样。腹腔注射胰岛素后12h,鳜血糖显著降低,而鳜肝脏、肠道和脂肪组织leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平无明显变化。腹腔注射insulin后36h,鳜肠道leptin-A基因mRNA表达水平显著升高。研究结果表明,长期禁食或胰岛素处理均能够降低鳜血糖水平,且影响消化器官和脂肪储存器官leptin-A基因表达。     

乳源性复合益生菌促进db/db糖尿病小鼠白色脂肪棕色化的研究

目的研究乳源性复合益生菌对db/db糖尿病小鼠白色脂肪棕色化细胞因子解偶联蛋白1(UCP1)、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ共激活因子1α(PGC1α)、R结构域蛋白16(PRDM16)表达的影响。方法将6周龄的SPF级db/db糖尿病雄性小鼠适应性喂养1周,随机分为糖尿病模型组、罗格列酮组及复合益生菌高剂量组和低剂量组,SC57BL/Ks雄性小鼠为正常对照组,每组8只。血糖仪检测不同时段空腹血糖(FBG)水平,ELISA法检测糖化血红蛋(HbA1c)含量,取各组小鼠皮下白色脂肪组织,HE染色观察脂肪组织形态,用Real time-PCR检测各组白色脂肪组织中UCP1、PGC1α、PRDM16 mRNA表达水平以及Western Blot检测各组脂肪组织中UCP1的表达。结果与模型组相比,复合益生菌组FBG、HbA1c水平明显下降,并且复合益生菌能够明显增加脂肪组织多室脂肪细胞数量,具有棕色化的趋向,并能够显著提高UCP1、PGC1α、PRDM16的mRNA表达和UCP1表达量。结论本研究发现乳源性复合益生菌能够促进白色脂肪棕色化从而改善胰岛素抵抗。     

京尼平对小鼠棕色和白色脂肪组织UCP1表达的影响

目的:棕色脂肪组织活化和白色脂肪组织棕化是改善减肥的良好策略。本研究利用冷刺激作为阳性对照,观察京尼平对小鼠脂肪组织活化与棕化的作用。方法:8周龄雄性C57BL/6J小鼠30只,随机分为正常对照组、京尼平组、冷刺激组, 每组10只。京尼平组小鼠腹腔注射给予京尼平处理(15 mg/(kg·d),连续9 d),对照组用生理盐水处理,冷刺激组小鼠在室温(22℃±2℃)下处理4 d后,置于4℃环境中进行冷刺激处理5 d(24 h/d)。检测各组小鼠每天摄食量、体重和体温变化,取肩胛下区、腹股沟区及附睾周围部分脂肪组织观察形态学的变化,测定棕色脂肪组织、皮下白色脂肪组织以及内脏白色脂肪组织解偶联蛋白1(UCP1)的表达。结果:与正常对照组相比,京尼平组小鼠白色脂肪湿重下降16%,冷刺激组下降28%,均有明显差异(P＜0.05);京尼平组和冷刺激组白色脂肪组织颜色变深,HE染色显示脂肪细胞内的脂滴变小,数量增加;京尼平组小鼠的皮下、内脏白色脂肪组织和棕色3种脂肪组织中的UCP1表达量均明显增加(P＜0.05)。结论:京尼平通过上调UCP1的表达促进棕色脂肪组织活化和白色脂肪组织棕化,此效应是京尼平降脂减轻体重的作用机制之一。     

过表达鸡Gata2或Gata3基因抑制Pparγ基因的转录

脂肪细胞分化是脂肪组织发育的一个重要过程. 目前,鸡脂肪细胞分化的分子调控机制还不十分清楚. 哺乳动物的研究结果表明,转录因子GATA结合蛋白2(Gata2)和GATA结合蛋白3(Gata3)具有抑制脂肪细胞分化的功能,它们在白色脂肪组织和棕色脂肪组织中的表达模式不同. 鸡没有棕色脂肪组织,目前还没有关于Gata2 和Gata3作用于鸡脂肪细胞分化的研究报道. 本研究利用半定量RT PCR的方法分析了Gata2和Gata3基因在鸡腹部脂肪组织和前脂肪细胞中的表达规律,发现鸡腹部脂肪组织中高水平表达Gata2 基因,低水平表达Gata3基因|鸡前脂肪细胞中Gata2 基因的表达水平远高于Gata3基因的表达水平,油酸诱导分化后的鸡前脂肪细胞Gata2基因的表达水平明显下调.此外,鸡过氧化物酶体增殖体激活受体γ(Pparγ)启动子（－1985/－89）报告基因荧光素活性分析和半定量RT PCP发现,在DF1细胞中过表达Gata2 或Gata3抑制鸡PPARγ基因的转录. 本研究结果为进一步研究鸡脂肪细胞分化的分子调控机制和Gata2和Gata3基因的生物学功能提供了参考.     

组蛋白H3甲基转移酶Ezh2与小鼠脂肪细胞分化关系研究

目的:探索组蛋白H3K27me3甲基转移酶Ezh2对小鼠白色、棕色和米色脂肪细胞分化的影响。方法:构建诱导型Ezh2全身敲除小鼠(Ezh2~(flox/flox) CAGcre)并于6周龄时腹腔注射他莫昔芬诱导敲除,以同窝、同性别、相同基因型假诱导(腹腔注射玉米油)小鼠作为对照。诱导完成后在光镜下观察脂肪细胞形态,采用Western Blot法检测脂肪组织中H3K27me3、Ezh2和Ucp1的蛋白表达量。采用Realtime PCR法检测不同部位脂肪组织的脂肪分化相关基因(Pparγ、Adipoq和Fabp4)、棕色脂肪标志基因(Ucp1、Cidea和Prdm16)和米色脂肪标志基因(CD137、Tmem26和Tbx1)的表达。检测敲除组小鼠的冷耐受能力,并予以高脂饮食诱导肥胖,观察小鼠体重增长情况、诱导结束后小鼠的糖耐量和胰岛素敏感性指标。结果:Ezh2敲除小鼠Ezh2和H3K27me3的蛋白含量降低,背部棕色脂肪细胞脂滴明显小于对照组,Ucp1的基因和蛋白表达明显高于对照组(P0.05);敲除组小鼠白色脂肪细胞分化较差,米色脂肪分化增加,米色脂肪的Ucp1和Tbx1基因表达增加(P0.05)。敲除小鼠可以更好地耐受冷刺激,并抵抗高脂饮食诱导的肥胖和胰岛素抵抗。结论:Ezh2在体内促进白色脂肪细胞的分化,抑制棕色和米色脂肪细胞分化。     

肥胖相关基因FTO、FNDC5、PRDM16的研究进展

脂肪量及肥胖相关基因(FTO)被认定为肥胖关联最强最确切的基因,其单核苷酸多态性变异是导致肥胖的主要原因,通常来讲,其通过与其他肥胖相关基因、细胞因子发生相互作用,从而影响体内脂质的代谢,达到调控体脂量的目的。但是,FTO的很多作用机制尚未得到确切证实。本文综述了FTO通过调控IRX3、IRX5的表达,致使白色脂肪细胞内UCP1增多,变成米色脂肪细胞,从而影响能量代谢反应的相关生理机制。FNDC5是新近发现的肌肉相关因子,受到细胞因子PGC-1的诱导激活后,可表达Irisin蛋白,从而促使棕色脂肪细胞的UCP-1表达增加,同时促进细胞转化,提高解偶联呼吸作用的产热耗能反应。PRDM16被冠以"棕色脂肪细胞开关"一名,可激活棕色脂肪细胞关键特征,增强线粒体作用、解耦连呼吸作用及调控PGC-1a和UCP1等的表达;抑制富集白脂肪的几种基因的m RNA水平如resistin和serpin3ak的表达,达到强有力地干预棕色脂肪细胞的分化、代谢及转化反应的效果。     

虾红素对小鼠肌肉组织和骨骼肌细胞中能量代谢相关基因mRNA表达的影响

本试验用高、低浓度虾红素日粮饲喂昆白系小鼠和处理原代培养小鼠骨骼肌细胞,提取总RNA,检测各时段UCP3、LXRα基因mRNA表达量,探讨虾红素对小鼠个体发育、肌肉能量代谢相关基因表达变化规律的影响。结果表明:高浓度组与对照组相比,小鼠体重增长明显减慢,肌肉组织第10天、30天以及骨骼肌细胞作用24h时UCP3mRNA表达量均显著下降(P<0.05),LXRα基因mRNA表达量均显著上升(P<0.05),72h达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。低浓度组与对照组相比,肌肉组织中UCP3、LXRα基因mRNA表达差异均不显著(P>0.05);虾红素作用骨骼肌细胞24hUCP3基因mRNA表达量显著下降(P<0.05),LXRα基因mRNA表达量显著上升(P<0.05)。结果提示虾红素对小鼠肌肉的能量利用有一定的调控作用。     

4周电针干预对大鼠白色脂肪“棕色化”的影响及其机制*

目的: 以有氧运动作为参照,观察4周电针干预对大鼠白色脂肪“棕色化”的影响,探究其可能的分子机制。方法: 将24只8周龄雄性SD大鼠随机分为安静对照组(Sed组)、有氧运动组(Exe组)、电针组(ElA组),每组8只,每组分别干预4周。Exe组采用65%最大摄氧量强度跑台运动,1 h/d,每周6 d。ElA组采用电针刺激“足三里”和“天枢”穴,20 min/d,每周6 d,每周记录大鼠体重。4周干预结束后,心尖和腹主动脉取血处死,分离双侧腓肠肌、肾周和附睾周围白色脂肪组织并称湿重,检测大鼠体脂含量和血清Irisin的水平,检测大鼠腓肠肌中AMPKα、p-AMPKα、PGC-1α、FNDC5和脂肪组织中UCP1蛋白的表达,检测大鼠棕色脂肪组织脂滴的形态。结果: ①与Sed组相比,从第2周开始,Exe、ElA组大鼠体重的增长明显降低,4周后Exe、ElA组大鼠体重和体脂含量明显降低(P＜0.01),而Exe、ElA组之间未见显著差异(P＞0.05)。②4周干预后,ElA组和Exe组大鼠白色脂肪湿重均明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。③Exe和ElA组大鼠的血清Irisin水平明显升高(P＜0.05),Exe、ElA组腓肠肌p-AMPKα/AMPKα、PGC-1α、FNDC5蛋白表达和白色脂肪、棕色脂肪组织中UCP1蛋白表达均明显升高(P＜0.05)。④Exe、ElA组大鼠白色和棕色脂肪组织中脂滴面积明显降低(P＜0.01)。结论: 4周的电针干预,可有效控制大鼠体重,诱导白色脂肪“棕色化”,具有与4周有氧运动近似的减脂效果,其可能是通过AMPKα-PGC-1α-FNDC5-Irisin信号通路,释放Irisin,进而与脂肪组织“crosstalk”,上调UCP1的表达,诱导白色脂肪组织“棕色化”。     

CTRP6基因缺失对小鼠白色脂肪组织“棕色化”的影响

补体C1q/肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白6(CTRP6)是一种新型脂肪分泌因子,在动物脂代谢中发挥重要作用。作者前期研究发现,利用慢病毒敲减CTRP6能够保护小鼠免于发生饮食诱导型肥胖。该文以CTRP6缺失的杂合子(KO)小鼠为材料,结合冷刺激手段,来确认CTRP6对小鼠体重和白脂"棕色化"的影响。首先通过Real-time PCR分析KO小鼠CTRP6表达水平,与野生型(WT)小鼠相比, KO小鼠各组织中CTRP6表达显著降低。然后,取4周龄雄性KO小鼠,随机分为两组(5只/组):4°C冷刺激组和25°C室温组,分别以WT小鼠为对照。6周后对小鼠体重、体脂进行分析。与WT小鼠相比,两个温度下KO小鼠体重和白色脂肪的质量均显著下降,棕色脂肪的质量显著上升。对脂肪组织基因表达分析发现, KO小鼠白色脂肪的UCP1、PGC1、PRDM16(棕色脂肪标志基因)以及Cyt c、NRF1、TFAM(线粒体标志基因)的表达显著升高。上述数据表明, CTRP6缺失能够抑制小鼠白色脂肪积累,促进白色脂肪"棕色化"。该研究为揭示CTRP6基因生物学功能奠定了基础,为人类肥胖及其相关代谢疾病的治疗提供了理论借鉴。     

Up-regulation of uterine UCP2 and UCP3 in pregnant rats.

Pregnancy produces profound changes in hormone dynamics, thermoregulation and energy metabolism. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) have been identified in a variety of tissues and UCP1 is known to play important roles in energy homeostasis, while the regulation of UCP2 and UCP3 is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the changes during pregnancy on UCP gene expression in the uterus, as well as in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), soleus muscle (Muscle), and liver, throughout the estrus and metestrus periods, at early, middle and late stages in pregnancy, and during post-gestational stages. The expression of uterine UCP2 and UCP3 were up-regulated by 3.2- and 1. 5-fold, respectively, during the late stage of pregnancy with an increase of WAT leptin mRNA expression and exogenous administration of leptin resulted in induction of the uterine UCP2 and UCP3 levels. Contrary to uterine UCPs, UCP1 mRNA expression in BAT was down-regulated by 0.5-fold and there were no remarkable changes in WAT or liver UCP2, or Muscle UCP3 expression throughout the periods. These results indicate that UCP gene expressions during pregnancy are regulated tissue-dependently, and up-regulation of uterine UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA may be due to increased leptin levels.     

Increased uncoupling protein-2 and -3 gene expressions in skeletal muscle of STZ-induced diabetic rats

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animals are vulnerable to cold stress. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) play an important role in regulating thermogenesis. We investigated the gene expressions of UCPs in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), liver and gastrocnemius muscle of STZ-diabetic rats using Northern blot. UCP-1, -2 and -3 mRNA expressions in BAT were all remarkably lower in STZ-diabetic rats than those in control rats. Both UCP-2 and -3 gene expressions in gastrocnemius muscle were substantially elevated in STZ-diabetic rats and insulin treatment restored UCP gene expressions to normal levels. These results suggest that in STZ-diabetic rats, the overexpression of UCP-2 and UCP-3 in skeletal muscle provides a defense against hypothermogenesis caused by decreased UCPs in BAT.     

Tissue-specific expression of the uncoupling protein family in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The vulnerability of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats to cold stress has been established. One of the elements controlling body temperature is thermogenesis, in which uncoupling protein (UCP) is known to play an important role. We have examined UCP2 and UCP3 expressions in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), and skeletal muscle (MSL) during the acute and chronic phases of STZ-induced diabetes in rats. The long-term effect and the effect of insulin treatment thereafter were also unexplored previously and are examined in this study. In the acute phase of diabetes (2.5 days after STZ injection), UCP2 gene expression in BAT, WAT, and MSL, and UCP3 expression in the muscle were significantly increased. In the chronic phase of diabetes (21 days after STZ injection), UCP2 and UCP3 expression in the MSL were restored to the control levels without insulin supplementation. UCP2 in BAT and WAT remained high in the chronic phase, whereas UCP3 expression in BAT and WAT, which did not change in the acute phase, was significantly decreased. Insulin supplementation restored UCP2 expression in BAT and WAT, but over-corrected UCP3 in WAT above the control and did not affect UCP3 expression in BAT. Insulin supplementation depressed UCP3 expression in the MSL below control. These results indicate that the effects of STZ-induced diabetes on UCPs gene expression are tissue-specific as well as dependent on the duration of diabetes.     

Tissue-specific expression and cold-induced mRNA levels of uncoupling proteins in the Djungarian hamster

The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a mitochondrial transmembrane protein, is responsible for adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Two UCP1 homologues, UCP2 and UCP3, were recently discovered, but it is controversial whether they also play a role in energy homeostasis. Djungarian hamster UCPs were found to exhibit high similarity with homologues known in other species. UCP1 mRNA was restricted to BAT, UCP2 mRNA was expressed in multiple tissues, and UCP3 mRNA was detected mainly in BAT and skeletal muscles. We examined the cold-induced regulation of hamster UCP mRNA levels and tested their correlation with serum free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations. In BAT UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 expression was upregulated in the cold, but the increase and time course of increase differed. In skeletal muscle, UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA levels were not altered. Cold-induced changes of serum FFA levels correlated with the stimulation of UCP1 mRNA in BAT but not with UCP2 and UCP3.     

Regulation of UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue, white adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in rats by estrogen

The effects of ovariectomy (OVX) and estrogen substitution on body weight, body composition, food intake, weight gain, and expression of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), and skeletal muscle were studied in four groups of rats: (1) Sham-operated rats (N = 8), (2) ovariectomized rats (OVX - E) (N = 8), (3) estrogen-treated OVX rats (OVX + E) (N = 8), and (4) OVX rats on energy restriction (OVX - E + D) (N = 8). OVX was associated with an increase in food intake and body weight gain during a 5-week study period compared to sham-operated rats. The estrogen-substituted rats had a significantly lower food intake and weight gain during the 5 weeks compared to the sham-operated group. However, we also included a nontreated OVX group that was allowed to eat only enough chow to match the weight gain of the sham-operated group. To match the weight gain in the two groups, the OVX group had to consume 16% less chow than the sham-operated group. In BAT, the UCP1 expression was significantly lower in estrogen-deficient rats compared to either intact rats or estrogen-substituted rats, whereas UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression was similar in BAT from all four groups. In WAT, both estrogen-deficient groups had significantly lower UCP2 mRNA expression compared to the control rats and estrogen-treated rats; In contrast, the UCP3 mRNA expression in WAT was similar in all four groups. Finally, in skeletal muscle the OVX group on mild energy restriction had reduced UCP3 mRNA expression compared to control, OVX, and estrogen-treated rats. In contrast, the UCP2 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle was similar in all four groups. Thus, the findings that estrogen deficiency is followed by reduced UCP1 expression in BAT and reduced UCP2 expression in WAT in association with weight gain probably caused by a decrease in energy expenditure might indicate that UCPs play a role for the estrogen-mediated changes in body weight and energy expenditure.     

Overexpression of GLUT4 in mice causes up-regulation of UCP3 mRNA in skeletal muscle

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is expressed in skeletal muscles. We have hypothesized that increased glucose flux in skeletal muscles may lead to increased UCP3 expression. Male transgenic mice harboring insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) minigenes with differing lengths of 5'-flanking sequence (-3237, -2000, -1000 and -442 bp) express different levels of GLUT4 protein in various skeletal muscles. Expression of the GLUT4 transgenes caused an increase in UCP3 mRNA that paralleled the increase of GLUT4 protein in gastrocnemius muscle. The effects of increased intracellular GLUT4 level on the expression of UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3 were compared in several tissues of male 4 month-old mice harboring the -1000 GLUT4 minigene transgene. In the -1000 GLUT4 transgenic mice, expression of GLUT4 mRNA and protein in skeletal muscles, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and white adipose tissue (WAT) was increased by 1.4 to 4.0-fold. Compared with non-transgenic littermates, the -1000 GLUT4 mice exhibited about 4- and 1.8-fold increases of UCP3 mRNA in skeletal muscle and WAT, respectively, and a 38% decrease of UCP1 mRNA in BAT. The transgenic mice had a 16% increase in oxygen consumption and a 14% decrease in blood glucose and a 68% increase in blood lactate, but no change in FFA or beta-OHB levels. T3 and leptin concentrations were decreased in transgenic mice. Expression of UCP1 in BAT of the -442 GLUT4 mice, which did not overexpress GLUT4 in this tissue, was not altered. These findings indicate that overexpression of GLUT4 up-regulates UCP3 expression in skeletal muscle and down-regulates UCP1 expression in BAT, possibly by increasing the rate of glucose uptake into these tissues.     

Acute central infusion of leptin modulates fatty acid mobilization by affecting lipolysis and mRNA expression for uncoupling proteins

Chronic administration of leptin has been shown to reduce adiposity through energy intake and expenditure. The present study aims to examine how acute central infusion of leptin regulates peripheral lipid metabolism, as assessed by markers indicative of their mobilization and utilization. A bolus infusion of 1 microg/rat leptin into the third cerebroventricle increased the expression of mRNA for hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), an indicator of lipolysis, in white adipose tissue (WAT). This was accompanied by elevation of plasma levels of glycerol, but not of free fatty acids, as compared to the saline control (P < 0.03). The same treatment with leptin decreased plasma insulin levels but did not affect the plasma glucose level (P < 0.05 for insulin). Among the major regulators of the transportation or utilization of energy substrates, leptin treatment increased expression of mRNA for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), UCP2 in WAT, and UCP3 in quadriceps skeletal muscle, but not those for fatty acid-binding protein in WAT, carnitine phosphate transferase-1, a marker for beta oxidation of fatty acids in muscle, nor glucose transporter 4 in WAT and muscle (P < 0.01 for HSL, P < 0.05 for UCP1, and P < 0.005 for UCP2 and UCP3). These results indicate that, even in a single bolus, leptin may regulate the mobilization and/or utilization of energy substrates such as fatty acids by affecting lipolytic activity in WAT and by increasing the expression of UCPs in BAT, WAT, and muscle.     

Fasting increases gene expressions of uncoupling proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma in brown adipose tissue of ventromedial hypothalamus-lesioned rats

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are supposed to be involved in diet-induced thermogenesis. Their activities are usually elevated by feeding and reduced by fasting in normal animals. To investigate whether fasting affects the expression of UCPs mRNA in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of bilateral ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)-lesioned rats, we determined the gene expression of UCP1, UCP2 or UCP3 in BAT of VMH-lesioned rats and examined oxygen consumption in these rats under fed or 48-h fasted conditions. Northern blotting revealed no difference in the expression of UCPs mRNA in BAT between VMH-lesioned and sham-operated rats under the fed condition, however, expressions were increased markedly in BAT of VMH-lesioned rats under the fasted condition. Under the fed condition, no difference in oxygen consumption was observed between VMH-lesioned and sham-operated rats. Under the fasted condition, oxygen consumption decreased in both rats, however, it decreased in VMH-lesioned less than in sham operated rats. To explore the mechanism that fasting elevated BAT UCPs mRNA in VMH-lesioned rats, we measured peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma mRNA and protein in BAT, because PPAR-gamma agonist can elevate UCPs mRNA levels in BAT. Under the fed condition, no differences in the expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein content were observed between in BAT of VMH-lesioned and sham-operated rats. Under the fasted condition, however, both increased in BAT of VMH-lesioned rats. These results suggest that VMH-lesions enhance the gene expression of UCPs in BAT under long-term fasting as a defensive reaction to inhibit the reduction of body temperature through an increase in PPAR-gamma activity.     

Relationship between FGF21 and UCP1 levels under time-restricted feeding and high-fat diet

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) exhibits a circadian oscillation, and its induction is critical during fasting. When secreted by liver and skeletal muscle, FGF21 enhances thermogenic activity in brown adipose tissue (BAT) by utilizing uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) to dissipate energy as heat. Recently, it has been reported that UCP1 is not required for FGF21-mediated reduction in body weight or improvements in glucose homeostasis. As the relationship between FGF21 and UCP1 induction in tissues other than BAT is less clear, we tested the effect of restricted feeding (RF) and high dietary fat on FGF21 circadian expression and its correlation with UCP1 expression in liver and white adipose tissue (WAT). High dietary fat disrupted Fgf21 mRNA circadian oscillation but increased its levels in WAT. RF led to increased liver FGF21 protein levels, whereas those of UCP1 decreased. In contrast, WAT FGF21 protein levels increased under high-fat diet, whereas those of UCP1 decreased under RF. In summary, FGF21 exhibits circadian oscillation, which is disrupted with increased dietary fat. The relationship between FGF21 and UCP1 levels depends on the tissue and the cellular energy status.     

Changes in UCP expression in tissues of Zucker rats fed diets with different protein content

The effect of dietary protein content on the uncoupling proteins (UCP) 1, 2 and 3 expression in a number of tissues of Zucker lean and obese rats was studied. Thirty-day-old male Zucker lean (Fa/?) and obese (fa/fa) rats were fed on hyperproteic (HP, 30% protein), standard (RD, 17% protein) or hypoproteic (LP, 9% protein) diets ad libitum for 30 days. Although dietary protein intake affected the weights of individual muscles in lean and obese animals, these weights were similar. In contrast, huge differences were observed in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver weights. Lean rats fed on the LP diet generally increased UCP expression, whereas the HP group had lower values. Obese animals, HP and LP groups showed higher UCP expression in muscles, with slight differences in BAT and lower values for UCP3 in subcutaneous adipose tissue. The mean values of UCP expression in BAT of obese rats were lower than in their lean counterpart, whereas the expression in skeletal muscle was increased. Thus, expression of UCPs can be modified by dietary protein content, in lean and obese rats. A possible thermogenic function of UCP3 in muscle and WAT in obese rats must be taken into account.