Triiodothyronine induces UCP-1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in human adipocytes

Uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 expressed in brown adipose tissue plays an important role in thermogenesis. Recent data suggest that brown-like adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle play a crucial role in the regulation of body weight. Understanding of the mechanism underlying the increase in UCP-1 expression level in these organs should, therefore, provide an approach to managing obesity. The thyroid hormone (TH) has profound effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and promotes the mRNA expression of UCP in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. However, the action of TH on the induction of brown-like adipocytes in WAT has not been elucidated. Thus we investigate whether TH could regulate UCP-1 expression in WAT using multipotent cells isolated from human adipose tissue. In this study, triiodothyronine (T(3)) treatment induced UCP-1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis, accompanied by the induction of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, and nuclear respiratory factor-1 in differentiated human multipotent adipose-derived stem cells. The effects of T(3) on UCP-1 induction were dependent on TH receptor-β. Moreover, T(3) treatment increased oxygen consumption rate. These findings indicate that T(3) is an active modulator, which induces energy utilization in white adipocytes through the regulation of UCP-1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis. Our findings provide evidence that T(3) serves as a bipotential mediator of mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Thermogenic Capacity Is Antagonistically Regulated in Classical Brown and White Subcutaneous Fat Depots by High Fat Diet and Endurance Training in Rats: IMPACT ON WHOLE-BODY ENERGY EXPENDITURE*

This study investigated the regulation of thermogenic capacity in classical brown adipose tissue (BAT) and subcutaneous inguinal (SC Ing) white adipose tissue (WAT) and how it affects whole-body energy expenditure in sedentary and endurance-trained rats fed ad libitum either low fat or high fat (HF) diets. Analysis of tissue mass, PGC-1α and UCP-1 content, the presence of multilocular adipocytes, and palmitate oxidation revealed that a HF diet increased the thermogenic capacity of the interscapular and aortic brown adipose tissues, whereas exercise markedly suppressed it. Conversely, exercise induced browning of the SC Ing WAT. This effect was attenuated by a HF diet. Endurance training neither affected skeletal muscle FNDC5 content nor circulating irisin, but it increased FNDC5 content in SC Ing WAT. This suggests that locally produced FNDC5 rather than circulating irisin mediated the exercise-induced browning effect on this fat tissue. Importantly, despite reducing the thermogenic capacity of classical BAT, exercise increased whole-body energy expenditure during the dark cycle. Therefore, browning of subcutaneous WAT likely exerted a compensatory effect and raised whole-body energy expenditure in endurance-trained rats. Based on these novel findings, we propose that exercise-induced browning of the subcutaneous WAT provides an alternative mechanism that reduces thermogenic capacity in core areas and increases it in peripheral body regions. This could allow the organism to adjust its metabolic rate to accommodate diet-induced thermogenesis while simultaneously coping with the stress of chronically increased heat production through exercise.     

Effect of NPY in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus on uncoupling proteins 1, 2, and 3 in the rat

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) stimulates feeding and decreases uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The present studies were undertaken to determine whether UCP-2 in white adipose tissue (WAT) and UCP-3 in muscle are regulated by NPY in the PVN. PVN-cannulated male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with either saline or NPY (PVN, 117 pmol, 0.5 microl) every 6 h for 24 h. NPY in the PVN stimulated feeding and decreased UCP-1 mRNA in BAT independent of NPY-induced feeding. UCP-2 mRNA in WAT was unchanged by NPY. In acromiotrapezius muscle, NPY decreased UCP-3 mRNA, but this was reversed by restricting food intake to control levels. In biceps femoris muscle, NPY alone had no effect on UCP-3 mRNA, but UCP-3 mRNA was significantly increased in the NPY-treated rats that were restricted to control levels of intake. These results suggest that UCP-2 in WAT and UCP-3 in muscle are not subject to specific regulation by NPY in the PVN.     

Cold-induced activation of brown adipose tissue and adipose angiogenesis in mice

Exposure of humans and rodents to cold activates thermogenic activity in brown adipose tissue (BAT). This protocol describes a mouse model to study the activation of BAT and angiogenesis in adipose tissues by cold acclimation. After a 1-week exposure to 4 °C, adult C57BL/6 mice show an obvious transition from subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) into brown-like adipose tissue (BRITE). The BRITE phenotype persists after continuous cold exposure, and by the end of week 5 BRITE contains a high number of uncoupling protein-1-positive mitochondria, a characteristic feature of BAT. During the transition from WAT into BRITE, the vascular density is markedly increased owing to the activation of angiogenesis. In BAT, cold exposure stimulates thermogenesis by increasing the mitochondrial content and metabolic rate. BAT and the increased metabolic rate result in a lean phenotype. This protocol provides an outstanding opportunity to study the molecular mechanisms that control adipose mass.     

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.     

Effects of cold acclimation on the activity of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissues of genetically obese Zucker rats

The activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was studied in interscapilar brown adipose tissue (BAT), epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) and in the heart of lean and obese adult Zucker rats maintained at 22 degrees C or adapted to cold (10 degrees C). In WAT the specific activity per gram of tissue was lower in obese than in lean rats but the total activity within the tissue was three-fold higher. Cold acclimation did not modify total activity in either lean or obese rats. In BAT, but not in the heart, both specific and total activities were lower in obese than in lean animals. They were enhanced in both tissues following cold acclimation. Six-hour fasting led to a decrease in specific activity in WAT of lean rats but had no effect in obese animals; an increase was observed in BAT and heart of both genotypes. Insulin administration has no effect on activities in WAT in either 22 or 10 degrees C adapted obese rats. Norepinephrine administration stimulates LPL activity in BAT and heart of all groups. It is concluded that the lack of development of obesity previously observed in obese rats following cold acclimation is not due to a decreased capacity of lipid uptake by WAT. It might in part be due to an increased lipid oxidation in BAT.     

Lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissues of rats running during cold exposure

This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of exercise training and intermittent cold exposure of similar energy cost on serum lipids and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity on epididymal white (WAT) and interscapular brown (BAT) adipose tissues of the rat. The animals were subjected daily to 2 h of treadmill running at 24 degrees C or for the same period of time at -5 degrees C, with or without exercise, for 28 days. Exercise training lowered serum triglycerides (P less than 0.01), whereas serum cholesterol was reduced by cold exposure (P less than 0.05). Cholesterol lowering occurred in the lipoproteins of lower densities. WAT weight was diminished by both treatments. Exercise training had an overall lowering effect on WAT total LPL activity (P less than 0.05), whereas cold exposure did not affect enzyme activity significantly. Exercise and intermittent cold interacted on BAT weight. Cold increased total BAT LPL activity (P less than 0.03), whereas simultaneous exercise in the cold greatly diminished this effect. Serum insulin levels were not affected by either treatment. Thus, in WAT, intermittent exposure to cold did not have any lasting effect on LPL activity, whereas exercise training decreased the latter. In contrast, exercise did not influence LPL in BAT of rats not exposed to cold but prevented the stimulation of enzyme activity induced by repeated cold exposure. These results support the notion that the regulation of LPL is tissue specific.     

Changes in lipoprotein lipase modulate tissue energy supply during stress.

We studied the variations caused by stress in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, LPL-mRNA, and local blood flow in LPL-rich tissues in the rat. Stress was produced by body immobilization (Immo): the rat's limbs were taped to metal mounts, and its head was placed in a plastic tube. Chronic stress (2 h daily of Immo) decreased total LPL activity in mesenteric and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) and was accompanied by a weight reduction of these tissues. In limb muscle, heart, and adrenals, total LPL activity and mRNA levels increased, and, in plasma, LPL activity and mass also increased. Acute stress (30-min Immo) caused a decrease in total LPL activity only in retroperitoneal WAT and an increase in preheparin plasma active LPL, but the overall weight of this tissue did not vary significantly. We propose an early release of the enzyme from this tissue into the bloodstream by some unknown extracellular pathways or other local mechanisms. These changes in this key energy-regulating enzyme are probably induced by catecholamines. They modify the flow of energy substrates between tissues, switching the WAT from importer to exporter of free fatty acids and favoring the uptake by muscle of circulating triacylglycerides for energy supply. Moreover, we found that acute stress almost doubled blood flow in all WAT studied, favoring the export of free fatty acids.     

Isoproterenol increases active lipoprotein lipase in adipocyte medium and in rat plasma

White adipose tissue (WAT) lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity channels diet fat towards storage in adipocytes. Adrenaline (ADR) is accepted to reduce WAT or adipocyte LPL activity (LPLa), but available data are not clear-cut regarding long exposure to ADR in vitro or in vivo. We studied the effects of long exposures to ADR or beta-adrenergic agonist on LPL: in isolated rat adipocytes (3 h) and in rats (>1 day). Isoproterenol (ISO) (1 microM) did not alter LPLmRNA nor LPLa in adipocytes, but increased LPLa in medium more than twofold (3.58 +/- 0.35 vs. 1.32 +/- 0.35 mU/10(6) adipocytes, P < 0.001). Effect was time (not present at 1 h, clear at 2 h) and concentration dependent (high sensitivity from 10 to 100 nM, max at 1 microM). Adenylate cyclase activator or cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogue produced a similar increase. Thus in adipocytes ISO produced an increase in LPLa release and/or a decrease in extracellular LPLa degradation. ADR or ISO treated rats had a two to fourfold decrease in WAT LPLa vs. unchanged LPLmRNA. This decrease was 10-fold in WAT heparin-releasable LPLa (5.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 57.3 +/- 10.2 mU/g, P < 0.001), which represents peri/extracellular LPLa. Plasma LPLa was increased 11-fold by ADR (3.30 +/- 0.58 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.08 mU/ml, P < 0.001) whereas only threefold by ISO (P > 0.01). We suggest that in vivo ADR increased release of active LPL to plasma from endothelial cells of LPL-rich tissue(s)-WAT was probably one of these tissues releasing LPL since it lost 90% of its peri/extracellular LPLa-and/or decreased degradation of plasma active LPL. Since liver LPLa was not increased, plasma active LPL might be kept away from hepatic degradation by binding to stabilising entities in plasma (fatty acids (FA), lipoproteins or soluble heparan sulphates (HS)). In conclusion, we believe this is the first report stating that: (a) ISO increases LPLa in isolated adipocyte medium, and (b) ADR administration to rats decreases WAT extracellular active LPL and increases preheparin plasma active LPL.     

Some regulatory aspects of thermogenesis in cold-exposed piglets

1. Thermoregulatory mechanisms were studied in weaned piglets fed ad libitum for 3 weeks at 12 or 23 degrees C. 2. Cold-adapted pigs maintained a growth rate and a carcass composition similar to the control ones, while increasing food intake by 20% (P less than 0.05). 3. Lipoprotein lipase activity was increased (P less than 0.05) by cold exposure in white adipose tissue (WAT) and heart. A large enhancement of lipogenesis was observed in WAT and to a lesser extent in the liver while WAT composition did not change significantly in the cold. 4. Cytochrome oxydase activity was increased in liver (30%), perirenal fat (40%) and interscapular muscle (75%) of cold-exposed pigs. 5. Plasma levels of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4) were increased in the cold. 6. Mechanisms and locations of heat production are discussed.     

Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in brown adipose tissue is involved in the regulation of thermogenesis

C.RF- Tshr(hyt/hyt) mice have a mutated thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), and, without thyroid hormone supplementation, these mice develop severe hypothyroidism. When hypothyroid Tshr(hyt/hyt) mice were exposed to cold (4 degrees C), rectal temperature rapidly dropped to 23.9 +/- 0.40 degrees C at 90 min, whereas the wild-type mice temperatures were 37.0 +/- 0.15 degrees C. When we carried out functional rat TSHR gene transfer in the brown adipose tissues by plasmid injection combined with electroporation, there was no effect on the serum levels of thyroxine, although rectal temperature of the mice transfected with pcDNA3.1/Zeo-rat TSHR 90 min after cold exposure remained at 34.6 +/- 0.34 degrees C, which was significantly higher than that of Tshr(hyt/hyt) mice. Transfection of TSHR cDNA increased mRNA and protein levels of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) in brown adipose tissues, and the weight ratio of brown adipose tissue to overall body weight also increased. Exogenous thyroid hormone supplementation to Tshr(hyt/hyt) mice restored rectal temperature 90 min after exposure to cold (36.8 +/- 0.10 degrees C). These results indicate that not only thyroid hormone but also thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)/TSHR are involved in the expression mechanism of UCP-1 in mouse brown adipose tissue. TSH stimulates thermogenesis and functions to protect a further decrease in body temperature in the hypothyroid state.     

Differential regulation of fatty acid trapping in mouse adipose tissue and muscle by ASP

Acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) is a lipogenic hormone secreted by white adipose tissue (WAT). Male C3 knockout (KO; C3(-/-)) ASP-deficient mice have delayed postprandial triglyceride (TG) clearance and reduced WAT mass. The objective of this study was to examine the mechanism(s) by which ASP deficiency induces differences in postprandial TG clearance and body composition in male KO mice. Except for increased (3)H-labeled nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) trapping in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of KO mice (P = 0.02), there were no intrinsic tissue differences between wild-type (WT) and KO mice in (3)H-NEFA or [(14)C]glucose oxidation, TG synthesis or lipolysis in WAT, muscle, or liver. There were no differences in WAT or skeletal muscle hydrolysis, uptake, and storage of [(3)H]triolein substrate [in situ lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity]. ASP, however, increased in situ LPL activity in WAT (+64.8%, P = 0.02) but decreased it in muscle (-35.0%, P = 0.0002). In addition, after prelabeling WAT with [(3)H]oleate and [(14)C]glucose, ASP increased (3)H-lipid retention, [(3)H]TG synthesis, and [(3)H]TG-to-[(14)C]TG ratio, whereas it decreased (3)H-NEFA release, indicating increased NEFA trapping in WAT. Conversely, in muscle, ASP induced effects opposite to those in WAT and increased lipolysis, indicating reduced NEFA trapping within muscle by ASP (P < 0.05 for all parameters). In conclusion, novel data in this study suggest that 1) there is little intrinsic difference between KO and WT tissue in the parameters examined and 2) ASP differentially regulates in situ LPL activity and NEFA trapping in WAT and skeletal muscle, which may promote optimal insulin sensitivity in vivo.     

Fargesin improves lipid and glucose metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obese mice

This study examined the effects of fargesin, a neolignan isolated from Magnolia plants, on obesity and insulin resistance and the possible mechanisms involved in these effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Fargesin promoted the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In HFD-induced obese mice, fargesin decreased the body weight gain, white adipose tissue (WAT), and plasma triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid and glucose levels, and improved the glucose tolerance. Fargesin increased glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and WAT of HFD-induced obese mice. Fargesin also decreased the mRNA expression levels of fatty acid oxidation-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) and leptin in WAT. Taken together, the present findings suggest that fargesin improves dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia by activating Akt and AMPK in WAT. ? 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.     

Retroperitoneal white adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity is rapidly down-regulated in response to acute stress

Tissue-specific regulation of LPL has been widely studied in rats. Previous studies reported that in vivo administration of adrenaline and acute stress cause an increase in plasma LPL activity coinciding with a decrease in white adipose tissue (WAT) LPL activity. We studied the speed of LPL activity changes during 30 min of stress by immobilization (IMMO) in rats. A first experimental approach in permanently cannulated rats permitted sequential blood sampling in the same animal during IMMO and the obtaining of hemodynamic parameters. In a second experimental approach, animals were euthanized at different times after the start of IMMO to determine LPL activity in tissues. Stress was characterized by rises in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma corticosterone, and available circulating energy substrates. Five min after the start of IMMO, LPL activity fell in retroperitoneal WAT and increased in plasma. These data show the quickest LPL activity change ever described in response to a physiological situation. The speed and simultaneity of these changes suggest that the release from endothelium to the bloodstream may constitute a fast nonexplored mechanism of tissue LPL activity regulation, involved in the lipid energy-substrate redistribution between tissues needed to prepare the "fight-or-flight" response.     

Lipoprotein lipase mRNA in white adipose tissue but not in skeletal muscle is increased by pioglitazone through PPAR-gamma

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a key enzyme for triglyceride hydrolysis, is an insulin-dependent enzyme and mainly synthesized in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscles (SM). To explore how pioglitazone, an enhancer of insulin action, affects LPL synthesis, we examined the effect of pioglitazone on LPL mRNA levels in WAT or SM of brown adipose tissue (BAT)-deficient mice, which develop insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. Both LPL mRNA of WAT and SM were halved in BAT-deficient mice. Pioglitazone increased LPL mRNA in WAT by 8-fold, which was substantially associated with a 4-fold increase of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma mRNA (r=0.97, p<0.0001), whereas pioglitazone did not affect LPL mRNA in SM. These results suggest that pioglitazone exclusively increases LPL production in WAT via stimulation of PPAR-gamma synthesis. Since pioglitazone does not affect LPL production in SM, this would contribute to prevent the development of insulin resistance due to lipotoxicity.     

Protein kinase Cβ deficiency attenuates obesity syndrome of ob/ob mice by promoting white adipose tissue remodeling

To explore the role of leptin in PKCβ action and to determine the protective potential of PKCβ deficiency on profound obesity, double knockout (DBKO) mice lacking PKCβ and ob genes were created, and key parameters of metabolism and body composition were studied. DBKO mice had similar caloric intake as ob/ob mice but showed significantly reduced body fat content, improved glucose metabolism, and elevated body temperature. DBKO mice were resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Moreover, PKCβ deficiency increased β-adrenergic signaling by inducing expression of β1- and β3-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) in white adipose tissue (WAT) of ob/ob mice. Accordingly, p38(MAPK) activation and expression of PGC-1α and UCP-1 were increased in WAT of DBKO mice. Consistent with results of in vivo studies, inhibition of PKCβ in WAT explants from ob/ob mice also increased expression of above β-ARs. In contrast, induction of PGC-1α and UCP-1 expression in brown adipose tissue of DBKO mice was not accompanied by changes in the expression of these β-ARs. Collectively, these findings suggest that PKCβ deficiency may prevent genetic obesity, in part, by remodeling the catabolic function of adipose tissues through β-ARs dependent and independent mechanisms.