Modulation of palmitate-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells by stearoyl-CoA desaturase and Elovl6

Induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis by elevated exogenous saturated fatty acids (FAs) plays a role in the pathogenesis of β-cell dysfunction and loss of islet mass in type 2 diabetes. Regulation of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) synthesis through FA desaturases and elongases may alter the susceptibility of β-cells to saturated FA-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Herein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)1 and SCD2 mRNA expression were shown to be induced in islets from prediabetic hyperinsulinemic Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, whereas SCD1, SCD2, and fatty acid elongase 6 (Elovl6) mRNA levels were markedly reduced in diabetic ZDF rat islets. Knockdown of SCD in INS-1 β-cells decreased desaturation of palmitate to MUFA, lowered FA partitioning into complex neutral lipids, and increased palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Overexpression of SCD2 increased desaturation of palmitate to MUFA and attenuated palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Knockdown of Elovl6 limited palmitate elongation to stearate, increasing palmitoleate production and attenuating palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis, whereas overexpression of Elovl6 increased palmitate elongation to stearate and palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Overall, these data support the hypothesis that enhanced MUFA synthesis via upregulation of SCD2 activity can protect β-cells from elevated saturated FAs, as occurs in prediabetic states. Overt type 2 diabetes is associated with diminished islet expression of SCD and Elovl6, and this can disrupt desaturation of saturated FAs to MUFAs, rendering β-cells more susceptible to saturated FA-induced ER stress and apoptosis.     

Ferulic acid prevents methylglyoxal-induced protein glycation,DNA damage,and apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells

Methylglyoxal (MG) can react with amino acids of proteins to induce protein glycation and consequently the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Previous studies reported that ferulic acid (FA) prevented glucose-, fructose-, and ribose-induced protein glycation. In this study, FA (0.1–1 mM) inhibited MG-induced protein glycation and oxidative protein damage in bovine serum albumin (BSA). Furthermore, FA (0.0125–0.2 mM) protected against lysine/MG-mediated oxidative DNA damage, thereby inhibiting superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical generation during lysine and MG reaction. In addition, FA did not have the ability to trap MG. Finally, FA (0.1 mM) pretreatment attenuated MG-induced decrease in cell viability and prevented MG-induced cell apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells. The results suggest that FA is capable of protecting β-cells from MG-induced cell damage during diabetes.     

ChREBP regulates Pdx-1 and other glucose-sensitive genes in pancreatic β-cells

The Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) is one of several transporters that have been implicated for development of hypertension since NKCC1 activity is elevated in hypertensive aorta and vascular contractions are inhibited by bumetanide, an inhibitor of NKCC1. We hypothesized that promoter hypomethylation upregulates the NKCC1 in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Thoracic aortae and mesenteric arteries were excised, cut into rings, mounted in organ baths and subjected to vascular contraction. The expression levels of nkcc1 mRNA and protein in aortae and heart tissues were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The methylation status of nkcc1 promoter region was analyzed by combined bisulfite restriction assay (COBRA) and bisulfite sequencing. Phenylephrine-induced vascular contraction in a dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by bumetanide. The inhibition of dose-response curves by bumetanide was much greater in SHR than in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats. The expression levels of nkcc1 mRNA and of NKCC1 protein in aortae and heart tissues were higher in SHR than in WKY. Nkcc1 gene promoter was hypomethylated in aortae and heart than those of WKY. These results suggest that promoter hypomethylation upregulates the NKCC1 expression in aortae and heart of SHR.     

An ethanol extract of Artemisia iwayomogi activates PPARδ leading to activation of fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle

Although Artemisia iwayomogi (AI) has been shown to improve the lipid metabolism, its mode of action is poorly understood. In this study, a 95% ethanol extract of AI (95EEAI) was identified as a potent ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorδ (PPARδ) using ligand binding analysis and cell-based reporter assay. In cultured primary human skeletal muscle cells, treatment of 95EEAI increased expression of two important PPARδ-regulated genes, carnitine palmitoyl-transferase-1 (CPT1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 (PDK4), and several genes acting in lipid efflux and energy expenditure. Furthermore, 95EEAI stimulated fatty acid oxidation in a PPARδ-dependent manner. High-fat diet-induced obese mice model further indicated that administration of 95EEAI attenuated diet-induced obesity through the activation of fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that a 95% ethanol extract of AI may have a role as a new functional food material for the prevention and/or treatment of hyperlipidermia and obesity.     

Upregulation of PTEN by peroxynitrite contributes to cytokine-induced apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a tumor suppressor gene, by negatively regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, participates in multiple biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and migration. Recent studies show that selective deletion of PTEN in pancreatic β-cells leads to resistance to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, but the mechanism is unclear. One major mechanism underlying STZ toxicity is cytokine-mediated β-cell destruction in which oxidative stress plays a key role. The present study investigated the role of PTEN in cytokine-induced β-cell apoptosis, and further explored whether oxidative stress, particularly peroxynitrite formation, could regulate PTEN-Akt pathway. Incubation of βTC-6 cells with cytokine mixture (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) or exogenous peroxynitrite significantly increased apoptotic cell percentage, elevated PTEN and p-PTEN levels, and inhibited Akt activation. Transfection with PTEN-specific siRNA protected βTC-6 cells from cytokine or peroxynitrite-mediated cell apoptosis and partially reversed Akt inhibition. Furthermore, nitrotyrosine formation, an indicator of peroxynitrite production, was significantly elevated after cytokine treatment. Preventing peroxynitrite formation by administrating NAC/l-NMMA, or scavenging peroxynitrite directly by UA, attenuated cytokine-induced PTEN upregulation, Akt inhibition, and β-cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that peroxynitrite-mediated PTEN upregulation plays an important role in cytokine-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis.     

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α enhances fatty acid oxidation in human adipocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) is a key regulator for maintaining whole-body energy balance. However, the physiological functions of PPARα in adipocytes have been unclarified. We examined the functions of PPARα using human multipotent adipose tissue-derived stem cells as a human adipocyte model. Activation of PPARα by GW7647, a potent PPARα agonist, increased the mRNA expression levels of adipocyte differentiation marker genes such as PPARγ, adipocyte-specific fatty acid-binding protein, and lipoprotein lipase and increased both GPDH activity and insulin-dependent glucose uptake level. The findings indicate that PPARα activation stimulates adipocyte differentiation. However, lipid accumulation was not changed, which is usually observed when PPARγ is activated. On the other hand, PPARα activation by GW7647 treatment induced the mRNA expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as CPT-1B and AOX in a PPARα-dependent manner. Moreover, PPARα activation increased the production of CO₂ and acid soluble metabolites, which are products of fatty acid oxidation, and increased oxygen consumption rate in human adipocytes. The data indicate that activation of PPARα stimulates both adipocyte differentiation and fatty acid oxidation in human adipocytes, suggesting that PPARα agonists could improve insulin resistance without lipid accumulation in adipocytes. The expected effects of PPARα activation are very valuable for managing diabetic conditions accompanied by obesity, because PPARγ agonists, usually used as antidiabetic drugs, induce excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes in addition to improvement of insulin resistance.     

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) suppresses postprandial lipidemia through fatty acid oxidation in enterocytes

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α which regulates lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues such as the liver and skeletal muscle, decreases circulating lipid levels, thus improving hyperlipidemia under fasting conditions. Recently, postprandial serum lipid levels have been found to correlate more closely to cardiovascular diseases than fasting levels, although fasting hyperlipidemia is considered an important risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of PPARα activation on postprandial lipidemia has not been clarified. In this study, we examined the effects of PPARα activation in enterocytes on lipid secretion and postprandial lipidemia. In Caco-2 enterocytes, bezafibrate, a potent PPARα agonist, increased mRNA expression levels of fatty acid oxidation-related genes, such as acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase, and acyl-CoA synthase, and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and suppressed secretion levels of both triglycerides and apolipoprotein B into the basolateral side. In vivo experiments revealed that feeding high-fat-diet containing bezafibrate increased mRNA expression levels of fatty acid oxidation-related genes and production of CO₂ and acid soluble metabolites in enterocytes. Moreover, bezafibrate treatment suppressed postprandial lipidemia after oral administration of olive oil to the mice. These findings indicate that PPARα activation suppresses postprandial lipidemia through enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in enterocytes, suggesting that intestinal lipid metabolism regulated by PPARα activity is a novel target of PPARα agonist for decreasing circulating levels of lipids under postprandial conditions.     

Does the function of adenine nucleotide translocase in fatty acid uncoupling depend on the type of mitochondria?

The stimulation of respiration by long-chain fatty acids and FCCP was studied with oligomycin-inhibited mitochondria from rat liver, heart and kidney tissue. By addition of equal amounts of palmitate and oleate, mitochondrial respiration was increased in the order RLM less than RKM less than RHM. Using the classical protonophore FCCP, this difference could not be observed. Inhibition of oleate-stimulated respiration by carboxyatractyloside decreased in the order RHM greater than RKM greater than RLM. As CAT sensitivity of oleate-stimulated respiration and the mitochondrial ANT content were found to be correlated, it is suggested that the weak CAT sensitivity of oleate-stimulated respiration of RLM [(1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 977, 266-272] is due to the low content of ANT.     

Regulation of calcium in pancreatic α- and β-cells in health and disease

The glucoregulatory hormones insulin and glucagon are released from the β- and α-cells of the pancreatic islets. In both cell types, secretion is secondary to firing of action potentials, Ca(2+)-influx via voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channels, elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) and initiation of Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis. Here we discuss the mechanisms that underlie the reciprocal regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion by changes in plasma glucose, the roles played by different types of voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channel present in α- and β-cells and the modulation of hormone secretion by Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent processes. We also consider how subtle changes in Ca(2+)-signalling may have profound impact on β-cell performance and increase risk of developing type-2 diabetes.     

The protective effect of peroxiredoxin II on oxidative stress induced apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells

Cell signaling mediated by morphogens is essential to coordinate growth and patterning, two key processes that govern the formation of a complex multi-cellular organism. During growth and patterning, cells are specified by both quantitative and directional information. While quantitative information regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, directional information is conveyed in the form of cell polarities instructed by local and global cues. Major morphogens like Wnts play critical roles in embryonic development and they are also important in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Abnormal regulation of these signaling events leads to a diverse array of devastating diseases including cancer. Wnts transduce their signals through several distinct pathways and they regulate vertebrate embryonic development by providing both quantitative and directional information. Here, taking the developing skeletal system as an example, we review our work on Wnt signaling pathways in various aspects of development. We focus particularly on our most recent findings that showed that in vertebrates, Wnt5a acts as a global cue to establishing planar cell polarity (PCP). Our work suggests that Wnt morphogens regulate development by integrating quantitative and directional information. Our work also provides important insights in disease like Robinow syndrome, brachydactyly type B1 (BDB1) and spina bifida, which can be caused by human mutations in the Wnt/PCP signaling pathway.     

Role of fatty acid uptake and fatty acid β-oxidation in mediating insulin resistance in heart and skeletal muscle

Fatty acids are a major fuel source used to sustain contractile function in heart and oxidative skeletal muscle. To meet the energy demands of these muscles, the uptake and β-oxidation of fatty acids must be coordinately regulated in order to ensure an adequate, but not excessive, supply for mitochondrial β-oxidation. However, imbalance between fatty acid uptake and β-oxidation has the potential to contribute to muscle insulin resistance. The action of insulin is initiated by binding to its receptor and activation of the intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor, resulting in the initiation of an intracellular signaling cascade that eventually leads to insulin-mediated alterations in a number of cellular processes, including an increase in glucose transport. Accumulation of fatty acids and lipid metabolites (such as long chain acyl CoA, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol, and/or ceramide) can lead to alterations in this insulin signaling pathway. An imbalance between fatty acid uptake and oxidation is believed to be responsible for this lipid accumulation, and is thought to be a major cause of insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes, due to lipid accumulation and inhibition of one or more steps in the insulin-signaling cascade. As a result, decreasing muscle fatty acid uptake can improve insulin sensitivity. However, the potential role of increasing fatty acid β-oxidation in the heart or skeletal muscle in order to prevent cytoplasmic lipid accumulation and decrease insulin resistance is controversial. While increased fatty acid β-oxidation may lower cytoplasmic lipid accumulation, increasing fatty acid β-oxidation can decrease muscle glucose metabolism, and incomplete fatty acid oxidation has the potential to also contribute to insulin resistance. In this review, we discuss the proposed mechanisms by which alterations in fatty acid uptake and oxidation contribute to insulin resistance, and how targeting fatty acid uptake and oxidation is a potential therapeutic approach to treat insulin resistance.     

Activities of fatty acid desaturases and fatty acid composition of liver microsomes in rats fed β-carotene and 13-cis-retinoic acid

The fatty acid composition of microsomal lipids and the activities of Δ9- and Δ6-desaturases in liver microsomes of rats fed diets supplemented with β-carotene and two levels of 13-cis-retinoic acid were studied. Four groups of male, weanling rats were fed semipurified diets containing 0 or 100 mg β-carotene per kg diet, and 20 or 100 mg 13-cis-retinoic acid per kg diet. After 11 weeks of feeding, the rats were killed, liver microsomes were prepared and assayed for Δ9-desaturase and Δ6-desaturase activities. The activity of Δ9-desaturase was lower in liver microsomes of rats fed β-carotene-supplemented diet or the diet supplemented with the higher level of 13-cis-retinoic acid. Microsomal Δ6-desaturase activity was, however, higher in liver of rats fed 13-cis-retinoic acid; there was no effect of β-carotene on Δ6-desaturase activity. The fatty acid compositional data on total lipids of liver microsomes were consistent with the diet-induced changes in fatty acid desaturases. Phospholipid composition of liver microsomes was also altered as a result of feeding β-carotene or 13-cis-retinoic acid-containing diets. The proportions of phosphatidylethanolamine were generally higher, whereas those of phosphatidylcholine were lower in the experimental groups as compared with the control.     

Activation of alpha adrenergic and muscarinic receptors modifies early glucose suppression of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in pancreatic β-cells

Elevation of glucose induces transient inhibition of insulin release by lowering cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) below baseline in pancreatic β-cells. The period of [Ca²⁺]_i decrease (phase 0) coincides with increased glucagon release and is therefore the starting point for antisynchronous pulses of insulin and glucagon. We now examine if activation of adrenergic α_2A and muscarinic M₃ receptors affects the initial [Ca²⁺]_i response to increase of glucose from 3 to 20 mM in β-cells situated in mouse islets. In the absence of receptor stimulation the elevation of glucose lowered [Ca²⁺]_i during 90–120 s followed by rise due to opening of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. The period of [Ca²⁺]_i decrease was prolonged by activation of the α_2A adrenergic receptors (1 μM epinephrine or 100 nM clonidine) and shortened by stimulation of the muscarinic M₃ receptors (0.1 μM acetylcholine). The latter effect was mimicked by the Na/K pump inhibitor ouabain (10–100 μM). The results indicate that prolonged initial decrease (phase 0) is followed by slow [Ca²⁺]_i rise and shorter decrease followed by fast rise. It is concluded that the period of initial decrease of [Ca²⁺]_i regulates the subsequent β-cell response to glucose.     

In vivo and in vitro development of mouse pancreatic β-cells in organotypic slices

Taking tissue slices of the embryonic and newborn pancreas is a novel approach for the study of the perinatal development of this gland. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology and physiology of in vivo and in vitro developing -cells. In addition, we wanted to lay a foundation for the functional analysis of other pancreatic cells, either alone or as part of an integrative pancreatic physiology approach. We used cytochemistry and light microscopy to detect specific markers and the whole-cell patch-clamp to assess the function of single -cells. The insulin signal in the embryonic -cells was condensed to a subcellular compartment and redistributed throughout the cytosol during the first 2 days after birth. The hormone distribution correlated well with the development of membrane excitability and hormone release competence in -cells. Endocrine cells survived in the organotypic tissue culture and maintained their physiological properties for weeks. We conclude that our preparation fulfills the criteria for a method of choice to characterize the function of developing pancreas in wild-type and genetically modified mice that die at birth. We suggest organotypic culture for in vitro studies of the development and regeneration of -cells.This work was supported by the European Commission (grant QLG1-CT-2001-02233 to TMR, AR and MR), the DFG Research Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB) and the Max-Planck Society (MR)