A minor role for lipocalin 2 in high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance

Adipose tissue controls energy homeostasis and systemic insulin sensitivity through the elaboration of a series of cytokines and hormones, collectively termed "adipokines." We and others have identified Lcn2 as a novel adipokine, but its exact role in obesity-induced insulin resistance remains controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic phenotype of Lcn2(-/-) mice to clarify the role of Lcn2 in metabolism. Male and female Lcn2(-/-) and wild-type (WT) littermates were placed on either chow or high-fat diet (HFD) to characterize their metabolic phenotype. Studies included body weight and body composition, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and adipokine expression studies in serum and in white adipose tissue (WAT). Neither chow nor HFD cohorts showed any differences in body weight or body composition. Chow-fed Lcn2(-/-) mice did not exhibit any difference in glucose homeostasis compared with WT mice. Fasting serum glucose levels were lower in the chow-fed Lcn2(-/-) mice, but this finding was not seen in the HFD cohort. Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and RBP4 levels were not different between WT and Lcn2(-/-) on chow diet. HFD-fed male Lcn2(-/-) mice did display a small improvement in glucose tolerance, but no difference in insulin sensitivity was seen in either male or female Lcn2(-/-) mice on HFD. We conclude that the global ablation of Lcn2 has a minimal effect on obesity-associated glucose intolerance but does not appear to affect either age- or obesity-mediated insulin resistance in vivo.     

Global deletion of MGL in mice delays lipid absorption and alters energy homeostasis and diet-induced obesity

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of monoacylglycerols (MGs) to yield FFAs and glycerol. MGL contributes to energy homeostasis through the mobilization of fat stores and also via the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. To further examine the role of MG metabolism in energy homeostasis, MGL^−/− mice were fed either a 10% (kilocalories) low-fat diet (LFD) or a 45% (kilocalories) high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Profound increases of MG species in the MGL^−/− mice compared with WT control mice were found. Weight gain over the 12 weeks was blunted in both diet groups. MGL^−/− mice were leaner than WT mice at both baseline and after 12 weeks of LFD feeding. Circulating lipids were decreased in HFD-fed MGL^−/− mice, as were the levels of several plasma peptides involved in glucose homeostasis and energy balance. Interestingly, MGL^−/− mice had markedly reduced intestinal TG secretion following an oral fat challenge, suggesting delayed lipid absorption. Overall, the results indicate that global MGL deletion leads to systemic changes that produce a leaner phenotype and an improved serum metabolic profile.     

Transgenic MSH overexpression attenuates the metabolic effects of a high-fat diet

To determine whether long-term melanocortinergic activation can attenuate the metabolic effects of a high fat diet, mice overexpressing an NH(2)-terminal POMC transgene that includes alpha- and gamma(3)-MSH were studied on either a 10% low-fat diet (LFD) or 45% high-fat diet (HFD). Weight gain was modestly reduced in transgenic (Tg-MSH) male and female mice vs. wild type (WT) on HFD (P < 0.05) but not LFD. Substantial reductions in body fat percentage were found in both male and female Tg-MSH mice on LFD (P < 0.05) and were more pronounced on HFD (P < 0.001). These changes occurred in the absence of significant feeding differences in most groups, consistent with effects of Tg-MSH on energy expenditure and partitioning. This is supported by indirect calorimetry studies demonstrating higher resting oxygen consumption and lower RQ in Tg-MSH mice on the HFD. Tg-MSH mice had lower fasting insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance on both diets. Histological and biochemical analyses revealed that hepatic fat accumulation was markedly reduced in Tg-MSH mice on the HFD. Tg-MSH also attenuated the increase in corticosterone induced by the HFD. Higher levels of Agrp mRNA, which might counteract effects of the transgene, were measured in Tg-MSH mice on LFD (P = 0.02) but not HFD. These data show that long-term melanocortin activation reduces body weight, adiposity, and hepatic fat accumulation and improves glucose metabolism, particularly in the setting of diet-induced obesity. Our results suggest that long-term melanocortinergic activation could serve as a potential strategy for the treatment of obesity and its deleterious metabolic consequences.     

Deficiency of lymphotoxin-α does not exacerbate high-fat diet-induced obesity but does enhance inflammation in mice

Lymphotoxin-α (LTα) is secreted by lymphocytes and acts through tumor necrosis factor-α receptors and the LTβ receptor. Our goals were to determine whether LT has a role in obesity and investigate whether LT contributes to the link between obesity and adipose tissue lymphocyte accumulation. LT deficient (LT(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed standard pelleted rodent chow or a high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFHS) for 13 wk. Body weight, body composition, and food intake were measured. Glucose tolerance was assessed. Systemic and adipose tissue inflammatory statuses were evaluated by quantifying plasma adipokine levels and tissue macrophage and T cell-specific gene expression in abdominal fat. LT(-/-) mice were smaller (20%) and leaner (25%) than WT controls after 13 wk of HFHS diet feeding. LT(-/-) mice showed improved glucose tolerance, suggesting that, in WT mice, LT may impair glucose metabolism. Surprisingly, adipose tissue from rodent chow- and HFHS-fed LT(-/-) mice exhibited increased T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration compared with WT mice. Despite the fact that LT(-/-) mice exhibited an enhanced inflammatory status at the systemic and tissue level even when fed rodent chow, they were protected from enhanced diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Thus, LT contributes to body weight and adiposity and is required to modulate the accumulation of immune cells in adipose tissue.     

Role of Pregnane X Receptor in Obesity and Glucose Homeostasis in Male Mice

Clinical obesity is a complex metabolic disorder affecting one in three adults. Recent reports suggest that pregnane X receptor (PXR), a xenobiotic nuclear receptor important for defense against toxic agents and for eliminating drugs and other xenobiotics, may be involved in obesity. Noting differences in ligand specificities between human and mouse PXRs, the role of PXR in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity was examined using male PXR-humanized (hPXR) transgenic and PXR-knock-out (PXR-KO) mice in comparison to wild-type (WT) mice. After 16 weeks on either a control diet or HFD, WT mice showed greater weight gain, whereas PXR-KO mice gained less weight due to their resistance to HFD-induced decreases in adipose tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and induction of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, suggesting increased energy metabolism. Interestingly, control-fed PXR-KO mice exhibited hepatomegaly, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia but hypoadiponectinemia and lower adiponectin receptor R2 mRNA levels relative to WT mice. Evaluation of these biologic indicators in hPXR mice fed a control diet or HFD revealed further differences between the mouse and human receptors. Importantly, although HFD-fed hPXR mice were resistant to HFD-induced obesity, both PXR-KO and hPXR mice exhibited impaired induction of glucokinase involved in glucose utilization and displayed elevated fasting glucose levels and severely impaired glucose tolerance. Moreover, the basal hepatic levels of the gluconeogenic enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 were increased in hPXR mice compared with WT mice. Altogether, although the mouse PXR promotes HFD-induced obesity, the hPXR mouse carries a genetic predisposition for type 2 diabetes and thus provides a model for exploring the role of human PXR in the metabolic syndrome.     

Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 deletion in mice prevents high-fat diet-induced fatty liver by reducing lipogenesis

Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) mediates intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol. Ezetimibe, by inhibiting NPC1L1 function, is widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia in humans. Interestingly, ezetimibe treatment appears to attenuate hepatic steatosis in rodents and humans without a defined mechanism. Overconsumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) represents a major cause of metabolic disorders including fatty liver. To determine whether and how NPC1L1 deficiency prevents HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, in this study, we fed NPC1L1 knockout (L1-KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) controls an HFD, and found that 24 weeks of HFD feeding causes no fatty liver in L1-KO mice. Hepatic fatty acid synthesis and levels of mRNAs for lipogenic genes are substantially reduced but hepatic lipoprotein-triglyceride production, fatty acid oxidation, and triglyceride hydrolysis remain unaltered in L1-KO versus WT mice. Strikingly, L1-KO mice are completely protected against HFD-induced hyperinsulinemia under both fed and fasted states and during glucose challenge. Despite similar glucose tolerance, L1-KO relative WT mice are more insulin sensitive and in the overnight-fasted state display significantly lower plasma glucose concentrations. In conclusion, NPC1L1 deficiency in mice prevents HFD-induced fatty liver by reducing hepatic lipogenesis, at least in part, through attenuating HFD-induced insulin resistance, a state known to drive hepatic lipogenesis through elevated circulating insulin levels.     

Polyphenol-rich green tea extract induces thermogenesis in mice by a mechanism dependent on adiponectin signaling

Adiponectin is downregulated in obesity negatively impacting the thermogenesis and impairing white fat browning. Despite the notable effects of green tea (GT) extract in the enhancement of thermogenesis, if its effects are being mediated by adiponectin has been scarcely explored. For this purpose, we investigated the role of adiponectin in the thermogenic actions of GT extract by using an adiponectin-knockout mice model. Male wild-type (WT) and knockout (AdipoKO) C57Bl/6 mice (3 months) were divided into 6 groups: mice fed a standard diet+gavage with water (SD WT, and SD AdipoKO), high-fat diet (HFD)+gavage with water (HFD WT, and HFD AdipoKO), and HFD + gavage with 500 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of GT extract (HFD + GT WT, and HFD + GT AdipoKO). After 20 weeks of experimentation, mice were euthanized and adipose tissue was properly removed. Our findings indicate that treatment with GT extract reversed complications of obesity in WT mice by decreasing final BW gain, adiposity index, adipocyte size and insulin resistance (IR). However, the action of the GT extract was not effective in reversing those markers in the AdipoKO mice, although GT acts independently in the reversal of IR. GT-treatment induced enhancement in energy expenditure (EE), BAT thermogenesis, and promoted browning phenotype in the subcutaneous WAT (scWAT) of WT mice. On the other hand, the thermogenic program was markedly impaired in BAT and scWAT of AdipoKO mice. Our outcomes unveiled adiponectin as a key direct signal for GT extract inducing adaptive thermogenesis and browning in scWAT.     

Postnatal deficiency of essential fatty acids in mice results in resistance to diet-induced obesity and low plasma insulin during adulthood

Our objective was to investigate the long-term metabolic effects of postnatal essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). Mouse dams were fed an EFAD diet or an isoenergetic control diet 4 days before delivery and throughout lactation. The pups were weaned to standard diet (STD) and were later subdivided into two groups: receiving high fat diet (HFD) or STD. Body composition, energy expenditure, food intake and leptin levels were analyzed in adult offspring. Blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations were measured before and during a glucose tolerance test. EFAD offspring fed STD were leaner with lower plasma leptin and insulin concentrations compared to controls. EFAD offspring fed HFD were resistant to diet-induced obesity, had higher energy expenditure and lower levels of plasma leptin and insulin compared to controls. These results indicate that the fatty acid composition during lactation is important for body composition and glucose tolerance in the adult offspring.     

Raspberry promotes brown and beige adipocyte development in mice fed high-fat diet through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1

Development of brown and beige/brite adipocytes increases thermogenesis and helps to reduce obesity and metabolic syndrome. Our previous study suggests that dietary raspberry can ameliorate metabolic syndromes in diet-induced obese mice. Here, we further evaluated the effects of raspberry on energy expenditure and adaptive thermogenesis and determined whether these effects were mediated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Mice deficient in the catalytic subunit of AMPKα1 and wild-type (WT) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with 5% raspberry (RAS) for 10 weeks. The thermogenic program and related regulatory factors in adipose tissue were assessed. RAS improved the insulin sensitivity and reduced fat mass in WT mice but not in AMPKα1^-/- mice. In the absence of AMPKα1, RAS failed to increase oxygen consumption and heat production. Consistent with this, the thermogenic gene expression in brown adipose tissue and brown-like adipocyte formation in subcutaneous adipose tissue were not induced by RAS in AMPKα1^-/- mice. In conclusion, AMPKα1 is indispensable for the effects of RAS on brown and beige/brite adipocyte development, and prevention of obesity and metabolic dysfunction.     

Differential body weight and feeding responses to high-fat diets in rats and mice lacking cholecystokinin 1 receptors

Prior data demonstrated differential roles for cholecystokinin (CCK)1 receptors in maintaining energy balance in rats and mice. CCK1 receptor deficiency results in hyperphagia and obesity of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats but not in mice. To ascertain the role of CCK1 receptors in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity, we compared alterations in food intake, body weight, fat mass, plasma glucose, and leptin levels, and patterns of hypothalamic gene expression in OLETF rats and mice lacking CCK1 receptors in response to a 10-wk exposure to HFD. Compared with Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) control rats, OLETF rats on HFD had sustained overconsumption over the 10-wk period. High fat feeding resulted in greater increases in body weight and plasma leptin levels in OLETF than in LETO rats. In situ hybridization determinations revealed that, while HFD reduced neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA expression in both the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) of LETO rats, HFD resulted in decreased NPY expression in the Arc but not in the DMH of OLETF rats. In contrast to these results in OLETF rats, HFD increased food intake and induced obesity to an equal degree in both wild-type and CCK1 receptor(-/-) mice. NPY gene expression was decreased in the Arc in response to HFD, but was not detectable in the DMH in both wild-type and CCK1 receptor(-/-) mice. Together, these data provide further evidence for differential roles of CCK1 receptors in the controls of food intake and body weight in rats and mice.     

Fetuin-null mice are protected against obesity and insulin resistance associated with aging

alpha2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG), also known as fetuin-A, inhibits insulin receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity in vitro and in vivo. Earlier we have shown that fetuin-null (KO) mice demonstrate improved insulin sensitivity and resistance to diet-induced obesity. Since aging is associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose handling, we tested the hypothesis that fetuin-null (KO) mice are resilient to changes in insulin sensitivity associated with aging. Aged (80-week-old) fetuin-null mice were leaner and demonstrated significantly lower body weights compared to age- and sex-matched wild-type (WT) littermates. Leanness in aged fetuin KO mice was accompanied by a significant increase in dark-onset energy expenditure, without marked alteration of respiratory quotient. In comparison to WT mice, fetuin KO mice demonstrated a lower fasting insulin resistance index, and significantly lower blood glucose and insulin levels, following a 4h fast. Interestingly, despite significantly decreased insulin levels during a glucose tolerance test, aged fetuin-null mice demonstrated a similar glucose excursion as WT mice, indicative of improved insulin sensitivity. Analysis of aldehyde-fuchsin stained pancreas from aged fetuin KO mice indicated no difference in islet beta-cell size or number. An insulin tolerance test confirmed the increased insulin sensitivity of aged fetuin KO mice. Further, compared to WT mice, aged fetuin-null mice demonstrated increased skeletal muscle and liver IR autophosphorylation and TK activity. Taken together, this study suggests that the absence of fetuin may contribute to the improvement of insulin sensitivity associated with aging.     

Adipocyte-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B deletion increases lipogenesis, adipocyte cell size and is a minor regulator of glucose homeostasis

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a key negative regulator of leptin and insulin signaling, is positively correlated with adiposity and contributes to insulin resistance. Global PTP1B deletion improves diet-induced obesity and glucose homeostasis via enhanced leptin signaling in the brain and increased insulin signaling in liver and muscle. However, the role of PTP1B in adipocytes is unclear, with studies demonstrating beneficial, detrimental or no effect(s) of adipose-PTP1B-deficiency on body mass and insulin resistance. To definitively establish the role of adipocyte-PTP1B in body mass regulation and glucose homeostasis, adipocyte-specific-PTP1B knockout mice (adip-crePTP1B(-/-)) were generated using the adiponectin-promoter to drive Cre-recombinase expression. Chow-fed adip-crePTP1B(-/-) mice display enlarged adipocytes, despite having similar body weight/adiposity and glucose homeostasis compared to controls. High-fat diet (HFD)-fed adip-crePTP1B(-/-) mice display no differences in body weight/adiposity but exhibit larger adipocytes, increased circulating glucose and leptin levels, reduced leptin sensitivity and increased basal lipogenesis compared to controls. This is associated with decreased insulin receptor (IR) and Akt/PKB phosphorylation, increased lipogenic gene expression and increased hypoxia-induced factor-1-alpha (Hif-1α) expression. Adipocyte-specific PTP1B deletion does not beneficially manipulate signaling pathways regulating glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism or adipokine secretion in adipocytes. Moreover, PTP1B does not appear to be the major negative regulator of the IR in adipocytes.     

Mice with MCH ablation resist diet-induced obesity through strain-specific mechanisms

Genetics and environment contribute to the development of obesity, in both humans and rodents. However, the potential interaction between genes important in energy balance, strain background, and dietary environment has been only minimally explored. We investigated the effects of genetic ablation of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), a neuropeptide with a key role in energy balance, with chow and a high-fat diet (HFD) in two different mouse strains, one obesity-prone (C57BL/6) and the other obesity-resistant (129). Substantial differences were seen in wild-type (WT) animals of different strains. 129 animals had significantly lower levels of spontaneous locomotor activity than C57BL/6; however, 129 mice gained less weight on both chow and HFD. In both strains, deletion of MCH led to attenuated weight gain compared with WT counterparts, an effect secondary to increased energy expenditure. In both strains, feeding a HFD led to further increases in energy expenditure in both WT and MCH-KO mice; however, this increase was more pronounced in 129 mice. In addition, mice lacking MCH have a phenotype of increased locomotor activity, an effect also seen in both strains. The relative increase in activity in MCH(-/-) mice is modest in animals fed chow but increases substantially when animals are placed on HFD. These studies reinforce the important role of MCH in energy homeostasis and indicate that MCH is a plausible target for antiobesity therapy.     

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 is required for the adipose tissue expression of proinflammatory cytokines in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a receptor for oxidized LDL, and is strongly expressed in endothelial cells at an early stage of atherosclerosis. LOX-1 expression in adipocytes is induced by PPARγ (ligands and appears to be involved in adipocyte cholesterol metabolism. However, the role of adipose tissue LOX-1 in high-fat diet-induced obesity is unknown. We found that mRNA levels of adipose tissue LOX-1 were markedly increased in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) compared with those fed normal chow. The levels were closely correlated with those of a proinflammatory cytokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Then, LOX-1 knockout (LOX-1-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed HFD for 16 weeks. HFD feeding increased the body and mesenteric fat weights similarly in WT and LOX-1-KO mice. HFD-induced expressions of proinflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, MIP-1α, and IL-6 were significantly less in LOX-1-KO than WT mice. Thus, LOX-1 is required for the HFD-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the adipose tissue of obese mice.     

High‐fat diet induces cardiac remodelling and dysfunction: assessment of the role played by SIRT3 loss

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in obesity‐induced cardiac impairment. SIRT3 is a mitochondrial protein associated with increased human life span and metabolism. This study investigated the functional role of SIRT3 in obesity‐induced cardiac dysfunction. Wild‐type (WT) and SIRT3 knockout (KO) mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. Body weight, fasting glucose levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, myocardial capillary density, cardiac function and expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α/‐2α were assessed. HFD resulted in a significant reduction in SIRT3 expression in the heart. Both HFD and SIRT3 KO mice showed increased ROS formation, impaired HIF signalling and reduced capillary density in the heart. HFD induced cardiac hypertrophy and impaired cardiac function. SIRT3 KO mice fed HFD showed greater ROS production and a further reduction in cardiac function compared to SIRT3 KO mice on ND. Thus, the adverse effects of HFD on cardiac function were not attributable to SIRT3 loss alone. However, HFD did not further reduce capillary density in SIRT3 KO hearts, implicating SIRT3 loss in HFD‐induced capillary rarefaction. Our study demonstrates the importance of SIRT3 in preserving heart function and capillary density in the setting of obesity. Thus, SIRT3 may be a potential therapeutic target for obesity‐induced heart failure.     

Overexpression of constitutively active PKG-I protects female, but not male mice from diet-induced obesity

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase I (PKG-I) is a multifunctional protein. The direct effects of PKG-I activation on energy homeostasis and obesity development are not well understood. Herein, we generated transgenic mice with expression of the constitutively active PKG-I in adipose tissue as well as in other tissues. Male and female PKG-I overexpressing mice were fed a low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks. HF-fed female PKG-I transgenic mice had decreased body weight gain, lower percentage of body fat, and improved glucose tolerance compared to HF-fed wild-type (WT) controls. In contrast, male transgenic PKG-I mice were not resistant to the development of HF-diet-induced obesity, and exhibited similar levels of adiposity and glucose intolerance as HF-fed WT controls. Furthermore, we found that HF-fed female transgenic PKG-I mice had increased energy expenditure and cold-induced adaptive thermogenesis compared to HF-fed WT controls, which was associated with increased expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT). In addition, the rates of lipolysis in white adipose tissue (WAT) were also increased in female transgenic PKG-I mice compared to WT controls due to increased phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). However, in male mice, adaptive thermogenesis or WAT lipolysis was similar between transgenic PKG-I mice and WT controls. Together, these data demonstrate sex differences in effects of PKG-I activation on the regulation of adipose tissue function and its contribution to diet induced obesity.     

Generation and characterization of a mouse model of the metabolic syndrome: apolipoprotein E and aromatase double knockout mice

The aim of this study was to create a comprehensive mouse model of the metabolic syndrome by crossing aromatase-deficient (ArKO) mice with apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice. Successive crossbreeding of ArKO with ApoE(-/-)-deficient mice generated double knockout, MetS-Tg mice. The phenotypic characteristics of the MetS-Tg mice were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 mo of age and compared with age- and sex-matched wild-type (WT) controls. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded by a noninvasive, computerized tail-cuff system. Oral glucose and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests were performed. Serum cholesterol levels were measured by a combined quantitative colorimetric assay. Plasma adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, resistin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by multiplexed ELISA. MetS-Tg mice displayed significantly increased body weight, central obesity, and elevated blood pressure at all three ages compared with WT mice. Elevated serum cholesterol was associated with higher triglycerides and LDL/VLDL cholesterol particles and was accompanied by a decrease in HDL and histological evidence of fatty liver. MetS-Tg mice of all ages showed impaired glucose tolerance. At 12 mo, MetS-Tg mice had elevated plasma levels of CRP, IL-6, leptin, and TNF-α, but resistin levels were largely unchanged. We now report that this combination of gene knockouts produces a novel strain of mice that display the diverse clinical features of the metabolic syndrome, including central obesity, progressive hypertension, an adverse serum lipid profile, fatty liver, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and evidence of an inflammatory state.     

Green tea extract improves high fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation,without affecting the serotoninergic system

To investigate possible mechanisms of green tea’s anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in the hypothalamus, the central regulator of metabolism, of mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD), we analyzed proteins of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway and serotoninergic proteins involved in energy homeostasis. Thirty-day-old male Swiss mice were fed with HFD rich in saturated fat and green tea extract (GTE) for 8 weeks. After that, body weight and mass of fat depots were evaluated. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed 3 days prior to euthanasia; serum glucose, insulin and adiponectin were measured in fasted mice. Hypothalamic TLR4 pathway proteins, serotonin receptors 1B and 2C and serotonin transporter were analyzed by Western blotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A second set of animals was used to measure food intake in response to fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Mice fed with HFD had increased body weight and mass of fat depots, impaired oral glucose tolerance, elevated glucose and insulin and decreased adiponectin serum levels. TLR4, IκB-α, nuclear factor κB p50 and interleukin 6 were increased by HFD. Concomitant GTE treatment ameliorated these parameters. The serotoninergic system remained functional after HFD treatment despite a few alterations in protein content of serotonin receptors 1B and 2C and serotonin transporter. In summary, the GTE attenuated the deleterious effects of the HFD investigated in this study, partially due to reduced hypothalamic inflammation.     

Mice lacking myotubularin-related protein 14 show accelerated high-fat diet-induced lipid accumulation and inflammation

The phosphoinositide phosphatase, myotubularin-related protein 14 (MTMR14), has been reported to play an important role in the regulation of muscle performance, autophagy, and aging in mice. We previously showed that MTMR14-knockout (KO) mice gain weight earlier than their wild-type (WT) littermates even on a normal chow diet (NCD), suggesting that this gene might also be involved in regulating metabolism. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of MTMR14 deficiency on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, lipid accumulation, metabolic disorders, and inflammation in WT and MTMR14-KO mice fed with NCD or HFD. To this end, MTMR14-KO mice fed with HFD showed significantly increased body weight, blood glucose levels, serum triglyceride (TG) levels, and total cholesterol (TC) levels as compared to their age-matched WT control. Additionally, lipid accumulation also increased in the KO mice. Simultaneously, the expression of metabolism-associated genes (Glut4, adiponectin, and leptin) was different in the liver, muscle, and fatty tissue of MTMR14-KO mice fed with HFD. More importantly, the expression of several inflammation-associated genes (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1) dramatically increased in the liver, muscle, and fatty tissue of MTMR14-KO mice relative to control. Taken together, these results suggest that MTMR14 deficiency accelerates HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Furthermore, the results showed that exacerbated metabolic dysfunction and inflammation may be regulated via the PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways.