Modulated expression of genes associated with NO signal transduction contributes to the cholesterol-lowering effect of electro-acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture (EA) at Fenglong acupoint (ST40) can lower the levels of serum cholesterol and triacylglycerols. To study the hepatic genes responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect of EA, suppression subtractive hybridization combined with the switch mechanism at the 5'-end of RNA template cDNA synthesis and long-distance PCR were employed using hepatic tissues from hypercholesterolemia and EA-treated mice. 68 % of the identified genes are involved in metabolism, immune response, and signal transduction pathways. Real-time PCR and western blot indicate that EA at ST40 induces the expression of nNOS and Mt1, two genes involved in NO signal transduction. EA treatment for hypercholesterolemia thus involves the modulation of several biological pathways and provides a physiological link between NO signal transduction and the cholesterol-lowering effect of EA.     

脂代谢相关三基因突变小鼠肝脏差异表达蛋白组研究

应用双向电泳及质谱技术对5周龄三基因(apoE^-1- / LDLR^-1-/Lepr^db/db)联合突变小鼠和野生型小鼠肝组织的差异蛋白质进行比较研究,借此分析脂代谢相关三基因联合突变小鼠肝脏蛋白质表达特点,研究差异表达蛋白与血脂代谢紊乱和动脉粥样硬化的关系.在实验中检测到三基因联合突变小鼠和野生型小鼠肝脏中分别平均有（841±57）个和（1 017±50）个蛋白点（n=3）,两者的平均匹配率分别为71.9%,83.2%.三基因联合突变小鼠有140个蛋白点未能与野生型小鼠匹配,其中相差5倍以上的上调点和下调点分别为7个和39个.选取其中的6个点做质谱分析,鉴定为endoplasmin precursor(Grp-94)、酸性富亮氨酸核磷蛋白32家族成员A(acidic leucin-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member A)、转铁蛋白前体、果糖二磷酸酶1、纤维连接蛋白前体、补体C3前体,纤维蛋白原B β多肽7种蛋白. 该结果提示,差异表达的蛋白对三基因联合突变小鼠的血脂代谢紊乱和动脉粥样硬化发生发展过程起一定作用.     

The hepatic circadian clock is preserved in a lipid-induced mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Recent studies have correlated metabolic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with the circadian clock. However, whether such metabolic changes per se affect the circadian clock remains controversial. To address this, we investigated the daily mRNA expression profiles of clock genes in the liver of a dietary mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using a custom-made, high-precision DNA chip. C57BL/6J mice fed an atherogenic diet for 5 weeks developed hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress, and NASH. DNA chip analyses revealed that the atherogenic diet had a great influence on the mRNA expression of a wide range of genes linked to mitochondrial energy production, redox regulation, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. However, the rhythmic mRNA expression of the clock genes in the liver remained intact. Most of the circadianly expressed genes also showed 24-h rhythmicity. These findings suggest that the biological clock is protected against such a metabolic derangement as NASH.     

Effects of dietary sea cucumber saponin on the gene expression rhythm involved in circadian clock and lipid metabolism in mice during nighttime-feeding

In mammals, clock rhythms exist not only in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is entrained by light/dark (LD) cycles, but also in most peripheral tissues. Recent studies have revealed that most physiology and behavior are subject to well-controlled daily oscillations; similarly, metabolic state influences the diurnal rhythm too. Previous studies have indicated that dietary sea cucumber saponin (SCS) could improve glucose and lipid metabolism of rodent. However, whether SCS could affect the expression of clock genes, which is involved in lipid metabolism, is unknown at present. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of SCS on the clock and clock-controlled genes involved in lipid metabolism. ICR male mice were divided into a control and SCS group mice (add 0.03 % sea cucumber saponin to regular chow) and were fed at night (2030–0830 hours). After 2 weeks, clock genes expression in brain and liver, blood glucose, hormones, and lipid metabolic markers were analyzed. The results showed that dietary SCS caused alteration in rhythms and/or amplitudes of clock genes was more significant in brain than in liver. In addition, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), together with their target genes carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) showed marked changes in rhythm and/or amplitude in SCS group mice. These results suggested that SCS could affect the daily expression patterns of clock genes in brain and liver tissues, and alter the clock-controlled genes involved in lipid metabolism.     

Hepatic lysosomal acid lipase drives the autophagy-lysosomal response and alleviates cholesterol metabolic disorder in ApoE deficient mice

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL)-dependent lipolysis degrades cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride in the lysosome. LAL deficiency in human and mice leads to hypercholesterolemia, hepatic CE deposition, and atherosclerosis. Despite its hepatocyte-specific deficiency leads to CE accumulation, the regulation of LAL in cholesterol metabolic disease remains elusive. For the in vitro study, the target gene Lipa was transfected with recombinant shRNA or lentiviral vector in Hepa1-6 cells. It was found that LAL silencing in cells affected lysosomal function by reducing LAL activity and proteolytic activity, and altered the expression of genes related to cholesterol metabolism and autophagy, leading to cholesterol accumulation; whereas LAL overexpression improved the above effects. To explore the impacts of hepatic LAL on cholesterol metabolic disease in vivo, apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE^−/−) mice were intravenously injected with lentivirus to achieve hepatic LAL overexpression and fed a Western diet for 16 weeks. The results showed that hepatic LAL overexpression significantly reduced plasma lipid levels, alleviated inflammation and oxidative status in plasma and liver, and attenuated hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in ApoE^−/− mice. Mechanically, hepatic LAL promoted cholesterol transport and biliary excretion by increasing liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) and its downstream genes, and modulated the compliance of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. Our data provide the original evidence of the validity of hepatic LAL in controlling cholesterol metabolism and liver homeostasis, suggesting that targeting hepatic LAL may provide a promising approach to rescue cholesterol metabolic disorders, such as hypercholesterolemia and liver disease.     

马尾松树皮提取物预防apoE基因敲除小鼠肝脏脂肪变性

目的 探究马尾松树皮提取物(Pinus massoniana bark extract,PMBE)对载脂蛋白E(ApoE)基因敲除小鼠肝脏脂肪变性的影响.方法 给8只ApoE KO雄性小鼠每天口服PMBE(30 mg/kg)2周,然后喂养高胆固醇及高脂饮食8周后,与普通饮食(NC)组及高脂饮食(HCD)组进行对比,取各...     

高尔基体跨膜糖蛋白73高表达诱发脂肪肝的脂类特性分析

脂肪性肝病是最常见的慢性肝脏疾病,脂质代谢异常是脂肪性肝病发生的重要原因。为研究高尔基体糖蛋白(Golgi protein 73, GP73)对肝脏脂质代谢的影响,选用八周龄C57BL/6J小鼠通过尾静脉注射搭载GP73的腺相关病毒(AAV-GP73),构建肝脏特异性高表达GP73的小鼠,通过对肝脏进行脂质代谢组学分析发现小鼠肝脏中的脂质尤其是甘油三酯明显增加。京都基因与基因组百科全书(kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, KEGG)富集分析显示,GP73通过引起脂代谢产物的改变导致诸多与细胞代谢活动相关的信号通路出现紊乱,特别是与人类密切相关的疾病如Ⅱ型糖尿病、非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)和癌细胞胆碱代谢更可能发生失调。研究表明,GP73可能通过参与调控脂类代谢并促进肝脏内脂质积累诱发脂肪肝。     

不同游泳运动对小鼠酒精性脂肪肝形成的改善作用*

目的: 探讨7周不同负荷游泳运动对酒精性脂肪肝小鼠肝脏脂质代谢的改善作用及微RNA-34a(miR-34a)与过氧化物酶体增殖物激活的受体α(PPARα)的调控关系。方法: 50只雄性KM小鼠,随机分成空白组(K,n=10)和酒精性脂肪肝组(AFLD,n=40),AFLD组通过50%乙醇的谷酒王0.2 ml/10 g WT灌服7周,每周休息1 d。成功构模后,分成模型组(M)、30 min游泳运动组(LE)、60 min游泳运动组(ME)、90 min负重游泳运动组(HE,尾部铅皮负重体重的5%),每组10只,每周干预6 d,共7周。结束后,提取血清和肝脏组织,测定小鼠肝脏指数、内脏脂肪比,肝细胞损伤指标谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰基转肽酶(γ-GT)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高/低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(H/LDL-C)含量;HE染色观察肝脏结构变化,Western blot检测肝组织PPARα 、FAS、TNF-α蛋白水平,mRNA表达谱测序分析后RT-PCR验证miR-34a、PPARα 、FAS、TNF-α、CPT-1 mRNA表达。结果: 相比K组,AFLD组肝索紊乱,出现灶性脂质真空化,脂滴空泡样变明显,胞核畸形异位;肝功能水平显著降低(P<0.01)。相比M组,ME、HE组肝功能改善显著,血清TG、TC、LDL-C水平下降,HDL-C水平上升(P<0.01或P<0.05),肝脏指数、内脏脂肪比降低(P<0.01),肝细胞灶性脂滴样变下降,肝索结构较清晰;且ME组干预效果更为显著,肝组织PPARα蛋白表达水平上升 、FAS、TNF-α蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.01或P<0.05);基于Illumina高通量测序及mRNA差异分析,PPARα通路中有38个差异表达基因,含9个上调基因,29个下调基因,涉及肝脏脂肪酸氧化、脂质代谢、凋亡抑制等。相比M组,LE、ME、HE组miR-34a、FAS、TNF-α基因水平降低,PPARα、CPT-1基因水平升高(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论: 不同负荷游泳运动对AFLD小鼠肝功能具有改善作用,促进脂滴降解,调节肝脏脂质代谢,可能与miR-34a/PPARα的激活有关,且中等负荷游泳运动干预效果更佳。     

The GCN2 eIF2alpha kinase regulates fatty-acid homeostasis in the liver during deprivation of an essential amino acid

Metabolic adaptation is required to cope with episodes of protein deprivation and malnutrition. GCN2 eIF2alpha kinase, a sensor of amino acid deficiency, plays a key role in yeast and mammals in modulating amino acid metabolism as part of adaptation to nutrient deprivation. The role of GCN2 in adaptation to long-term amino acid deprivation in mammals, however, is poorly understood. We found that expression of lipogenic genes and the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver are repressed and lipid stores in adipose tissue are mobilized in wild-type mice upon leucine deprivation. In contrast, GCN2-deficient mice developed liver steatosis and exhibited reduced lipid mobilization. Liver steatosis in Gcn2(-/-) mice was found to be caused by unrepressed expression of lipogenic genes, including Srebp-1c and Fas. Thus, our study identifies a novel function of GCN2 in regulating lipid metabolism during leucine deprivation in addition to regulating amino acid metabolism.     

Overexpression of miR-155 in the Liver of Transgenic Mice Alters the Expression Profiling of Hepatic Genes Associated with Lipid Metabolism

Hepatic expression profiling has revealed miRNA changes in liver diseases, while hepatic miR-155 expression was increased in murine non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting that miR-155 might regulate the biological process of lipid metabolism. To illustrate the effects of miR-155 gain of function in transgenic mouse liver on lipid metabolism, transgenic mice (i.e., Rm155LG mice) for the conditional overexpression of mouse miR-155 transgene mediated by Cre/lox P system were firstly generated around the world in this study. Rm155LG mice were further crossed to Alb-Cre mice to realize the liver-specific overexpression of miR-155 transgene in Rm155LG/Alb-Cre double transgenic mice which showed the unaltered body weight, liver weight, epididymal fat pad weight and gross morphology and appearance of liver. Furthermore, liver-specific overexpression of miR-155 transgene resulted in significantly reduced levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as remarkably decreased contents of hepatic lipid, TG, HDL and free fatty acid in Rm155LG/Alb-Cre transgenic mice. More importantly, microarray data revealed a general downward trend in the expression profile of hepatic genes with functions typically associated with fatty acid, cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism, which is likely at least partially responsible for serum cholesterol and triglyceride lowering observed in Rm155LG/Alb-Cre mice. In this study, we demonstrated that hepatic overexpression of miR-155 alleviated nonalcoholic fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet. Additionally, carboxylesterase 3/triacylglycerol hydrolase (Ces3/TGH) was identified as a direct miR-155 target gene that is potentially responsible for the partial liver phenotypes observed in Rm155LG/Alb-Cre mice. Taken together, these data from miR-155 gain of function study suggest, for what we believe is the first time, the altered lipid metabolism and provide new insights into the metabolic state of the liver in Rm155LG/Alb-Cre mice.     

Changes in hepatic gene expression upon oral administration of taurine-conjugated ursodeoxycholic acid in ob/ob mice

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent and associated with considerable morbidities. Unfortunately, there is no currently available drug established to treat NAFLD. It was recently reported that intraperitoneal administration of taurine-conjugated ursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) improved hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. We hereby examined the effect of oral TUDCA treatment on hepatic steatosis and associated changes in hepatic gene expression in ob/ob mice. We administered TUDCA to ob/ob mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg twice a day by gastric gavage for 3 weeks. Body weight, glucose homeostasis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and hepatic gene expression were examined in comparison with control ob/ob mice and normal littermate C57BL/6J mice. Compared to the control ob/ob mice, TUDCA treated ob/ob mice revealed markedly reduced liver fat stained by oil red O (44.2±5.8% vs. 21.1±10.4%, P<0.05), whereas there was no difference in body weight, oral glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and ER stress. Microarray analysis of hepatic gene expression demonstrated that oral TUDCA treatment mainly decreased the expression of genes involved in de novo lipogenesis among the components of lipid homeostasis. At pathway levels, oral TUDCA altered the genes regulating amino acid, carbohydrate, and drug metabolism in addition to lipid metabolism. In summary, oral TUDCA treatment decreased hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice by cooperative regulation of multiple metabolic pathways, particularly by reducing the expression of genes known to regulate de novo lipogenesis.     

Lack of UCP1 stimulates fatty liver but mediates UCP1-independent action of beige fat to improve hyperlipidemia in Apoe knockout mice

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a critical role in lipid metabolism and may protect from hyperlipidemia; however, its beneficial effect appears to depend on the ambient temperature of the environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) deficiency on lipid metabolism, including the pathophysiology of hyperlipidemia, in apolipoprotein E knockout (APOE-KO) mice at a normal (23 °C) and thermoneutral (30 °C) temperature. Unexpectedly, UCP1 deficiency caused improvements in hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and glucose metabolism, regardless of an increase in hepatic lipid deposition, in Ucp1/Apoe double-knockout (DKO) mice fed a high-fat diet at 23 °C, with BAT hyperplasia and robust browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) observed. Proteomics and gene expression analyses revealed significant increases in many proteins involved in energy metabolism and strong upregulation of brown/beige adipocyte-related genes and fatty acid metabolism-related genes in browned IWAT, suggesting an induction of beige fat formation and stimulation of lipid metabolism in DKO mice at 23 °C. Conversely, mRNA levels of fatty acid oxidation-related genes decreased in the liver of DKO mice. The favorable phenotypic changes were lost at 30 °C, with BAT whitening and disappearance of IWAT browning, while fatty liver further deteriorated in DKO mice compared with that in APOE-KO mice. Finally, longevity analysis revealed a significant lifespan extension of DKO mice compared with that of APOE-KO mice at 23 °C. Irrespective of the fundamental role of UCP1 thermogenesis, our results highlight the importance of beige fat for the improvement of hyperlipidemia and longevity under the atherogenic status at normal room temperature.     

Maternal chitosan oligosaccharide supplementation affecting expression of circadian clock genes,and possible association with hepatic cholesterol accumulation in suckling piglets

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) has been shown to reduce lipid accumulation in liver in mice and rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether maternal COS feeding affects hepatic lipid metabolism via influencing the expression of circadian clock genes in piglets. From day (d) 85 of gestation to d 14 of lactation, sixteen pregnant sows were divided into a control group (basal diet without COS supplementation) and a COS group (30 mg COS/kg basal diet). After farrowing, one piglet per litter in each group was selected for the collection of plasma and liver samples on d 0 and d 14 of age, respectively. Interestingly and significantly, we found that maternal COS supplementation promoted plasma and hepatic cholesterol accumulation and up-regulated the mRNA level of negative-regulated element period 1 (Per1), and reduced the abundance of the positive elements, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), and brain muscle Arnt-like 1 (BMAL1) in the suckling piglets on d 14. These alterations may promote the hepatic cholesterol accumulation, which, in turn, activates hepatic bile acid metabolism and attenuates the relative expression levels of lipid metabolism-associated genes in the liver. However, the expression of CLOCK and BMAL1 and the lipid profile in the plasma and liver were not affected by COS supplementation on d 0. Collectively, our results indicate that maternal supplementation with COS postpartum up-regulates cholesterol accumulation in suckling piglets at age d 14, in part, by the regulation of circadian clock genes.     

E3 ubiquitin ligase Grail promotes hepatic steatosis through Sirt1 inhibition

In obese adults, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accompanied by multiple metabolic dysfunctions. Although upregulated hepatic fatty acid synthesis has been identified as a crucial mediator of NAFLD development, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we reported upregulated expression of gene related to anergy in lymphocytes (GRAIL) in the livers of humans and mice with hepatic steatosis. Grail ablation markedly alleviated the high-fat diet-induced hepatic fat accumulation and expression of genes related to the lipid metabolism, in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of GRAIL exacerbated lipid accumulation and enhanced the expression of lipid metabolic genes in mice and liver cells. Our results demonstrated that Grail regulated the lipid accumulation in hepatic steatosis via interaction with sirtuin 1. Thus, Grail poses as a significant molecular regulator in the development of NAFLD.Subject terms: Cell signalling, Metabolic disorders