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.     

Lack of skeletal muscle liver kinase B1 alters gene expression,mitochondrial content,inflammation and oxidative stress without affecting high-fat diet-induced obesity or insulin resistance

Ad libitum high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity and skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) regulates skeletal muscle metabolism by controlling the AMP-activated protein kinase family, but its importance in regulating muscle gene expression and glucose tolerance in obese mice has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine how the lack of LKB1 in skeletal muscle (KO) affects gene expression and glucose tolerance in HFD-fed, obese mice.KO and littermate control wild-type (WT) mice were fed a standard diet or HFD for 14 weeks. RNA sequencing, and subsequent analysis were performed to assess mitochondrial content and respiration, inflammatory status, glucose and insulin tolerance, and muscle anabolic signaling.KO did not affect body weight gain on HFD, but heavily impacted mitochondria-, oxidative stress-, and inflammation-related gene expression. Accordingly, mitochondrial protein content and respiration were suppressed while inflammatory signaling and markers of oxidative stress were elevated in obese KO muscles. KO did not affect glucose or insulin tolerance. However, fasting serum insulin and skeletal muscle insulin signaling were higher in the KO mice. Furthermore, decreased muscle fiber size in skmLKB1-KO mice was associated with increased general protein ubiquitination and increased expression of several ubiquitin ligases, but not muscle ring finger 1 or atrogin-1. Taken together, these data suggest that the lack of LKB1 in skeletal muscle does not exacerbate obesity or insulin resistance in mice on a HFD, despite impaired mitochondrial content and function and elevated inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress.     

High-Fat Diet Induces Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Impairment of Synaptic Plasticity

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is associated with insulin resistance, which may affect brain synaptic plasticity through impairment of insulin-sensitive processes underlying neuronal survival, learning, and memory. The experimental model consisted of 3 month-old C57BL/6J mice fed either a normal chow diet (control group) or a HFD (60% of calorie from fat; HFD group) for 12 weeks. This model was characterized as a function of time in terms of body weight, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-IR values, and plasma triglycerides. IRS-1/Akt pathway was assessed in primary hepatocytes and brain homogenates. The effect of HFD in brain was assessed by electrophysiology, input/output responses and long-term potentiation. HFD-fed mice exhibited a significant increase in body weight, higher fasting glucose- and insulin levels in plasma, lower glucose tolerance, and higher HOMA-IR values. In liver, HFD elicited (a) a significant decrease of insulin receptor substrate (IRS-1) phosphorylation on Tyr608 and increase of Ser307 phosphorylation, indicative of IRS-1 inactivation; (b) these changes were accompanied by inflammatory responses in terms of increases in the expression of NFκB and iNOS and activation of the MAP kinases p38 and JNK; (c) primary hepatocytes from mice fed a HFD showed decreased cellular oxygen consumption rates (indicative of mitochondrial functional impairment); this can be ascribed partly to a decreased expression of PGC1α and mitochondrial biogenesis. In brain, HFD feeding elicited (a) an inactivation of the IRS-1 and, consequentially, (b) a decreased expression and plasma membrane localization of the insulin-sensitive neuronal glucose transporters GLUT3/GLUT4; (c) a suppression of the ERK/CREB pathway, and (d) a substantial decrease in long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of hippocampus (indicative of impaired synaptic plasticity). It may be surmised that 12 weeks fed with HFD induce a systemic insulin resistance that impacts profoundly on brain activity, i.e., synaptic plasticity.     

The Hepatic Raldh1 Expression Is elevated in Zucker Fatty Rats and Its Over-Expression Introduced the Retinal-Induced Srebp-1c Expression in INS-1 Cells

The roles of vitamin A (VA) in the development of metabolic diseases remain unanswered. We have reported that retinoids synergized with insulin to induce the expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c gene (Srebp-1c) expression in primary rat hepatocytes. Additionally, the hepatic Srebp-1c expression is elevated in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats, and reduced in those fed a VA deficient diet. VA is metabolized to retinoic acid (RA) for regulating gene expression. We hypothesized that the expression of RA production enzymes contributes to the regulation of the hepatic Srebp-1c expression. Therefore, we analyzed their expression levels in Zucker lean (ZL) and ZF rats. The mRNA levels of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 gene (Raldh1) were found to be higher in the isolated and cultured primary hepatocytes from ZF rats than that from ZL rats. The RALDH1 protein level was elevated in the liver of ZF rats. Retinol and retinal dose- and time-dependently induced the expression of RA responsive Cyp26a1 gene in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. INS-1 cells were identified as an ideal tool to study the effects of RA production on the regulation of gene expression because only RA, but not retinal, induced Srebp-1c mRNA expression in them. Recombinant adenovirus containing rat Raldh1 cDNA was made and used to infect INS-1 cells. The over-expression of RALDH1 introduced the retinal-mediated induction of Srebp-1c expression in INS-1 cells. We conclude that the expression levels of the enzymes for RA production may contribute to the regulation of RA responsive genes, and determine the responses of the cells to retinoid treatments. The elevated hepatic expression of Raldh1 in ZF rats may cause the excessive RA production from retinol, and in turn, result in higher Srebp-1c expression. This excessive RA production may be one of the factors contributing to the elevated lipogenesis in the liver of ZF rats.     

Retinoids synergized with insulin to induce Srebp-1c expression and activated its promoter via the two liver X receptor binding sites that mediate insulin action

We have reported that the rat liver lipophilic extract (LE) synergized with insulin to induce Gck and Srebp-1c in primary rat hepatocytes. After identification of retinol and retinal in LE, only their effects in the absence or presence of insulin on Gck, but not that on Srebp-1c, were investigated subsequently. The retinoid effects on the Srebp-1c expression and the activation of its promoter were examined with real-time PCR and reporter gene assays, respectively. In primary hepatocytes, retinal and retinoic acid (RA) synergized with insulin to induce Srebp-1c expression. This induction was followed by the elevation of its target gene, fatty acid synthase. Activation of retinoid X receptor, but not retinoic acid receptor, was responsible for the induction of Srebp-1c expression. RA, but not retinal, also induced Srebp-1c expression in a dose dependent manner in INS-1 cells. The RA responsive elements in Srebp-1c promoter were determined as previously identified two liver X receptor elements responsible for mediating insulin action. We conclude that retinoids regulate hepatic Srebp-1c expression through activation of retinoid X receptor. The RA- and insulin-induced Srebp-1c expression converged at the same sites in its promoter, indicating the roles of vitamin A in regulation of hepatic gene expression.     

Hepatocyte-specific deletion of BAP31 promotes SREBP1C activation,promotes hepatic lipid accumulation,and worsens IR in mice

Conditional knockout mice with targeted disruption of B-cell associated protein (BAP)31 in adult mouse liver were generated and challenged with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 36 or 96 days and markers of obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis were determined. Mutant mice were indistinguishable from WT littermates, but exhibited increased HFD-induced obesity. BAP31-deletion in hepatocytes increased the expression of SREBP1C and the target genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, and increased hepatic lipid accumulation and HFD-induced liver steatosis. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that BAP31 interacts with SREBP1C and insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1), and BAP31-deletion reduces INSIG1 expression, suggesting that BAP31 may regulate SREBP1C activity by modulating INSIG1 protein levels. Additionally, BAP31-deletion induced glucose and insulin intolerance, decreased Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation, and enhanced hepatic glucose production in mice. Expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers was significantly induced in BAP31-mutant mice. HFD-induced inflammation was aggravated in mutant mice, along with increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor-κB activation. These findings demonstrate that BAP31-deletion induces SREBP activation and promotes hepatic lipid accumulation, reduces insulin signaling, impairs glucose/insulin tolerance, and increases ER stress and hepatic inflammation, explaining the protective roles of BAP31 in the development of liver steatosis and insulin resistance in HFD-induced obesity in animal models.     

Glucose and lipid metabolism alterations in liver and adipose tissue pre-dispose p47phox knockout mice to systemic insulin resistance

Oxidative stress due to enhanced production or reduced scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been associated with diet (dyslipidemia) induced obesity and insulin resistance (IR). The present study was undertaken to assess the role of p47^phox in IR using wild type (WT) and p47^phox?/? mice, fed with different diets (HFD, LFD or Chow). Augmented body weight, glucose intolerance and reduced insulin sensitivity were observed in p47^phox?/? mice fed with 45% HFD and 10% LFD. Further, body fat and circulating lipids were increased significantly with 5 weeks LFD feeding in p47^phox?/? mice, while parameters of energy homeostasis were reduced as compared with WT mice. LFD fed knockout (KO) mice showed an enhanced hepatic glycogenolysis, and reduced insulin signalling in liver and adipose tissue, while skeletal muscle tissue remained unaffected. A significant increase in hepatic lipids, adiposity, as well as expression of genes regulating lipid synthesis, breakdown and efflux were observed in LFD fed p47^phox?/? mice after 5 weeks. On the other hand, mice lacking p47^phox demonstrated altered glucose tolerance and tissue insulin sensitivity after 5 weeks chow feeding, while changes in body weight, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heat production are non-significant. Our data demonstrate that lack of p47^phox is sufficient to induce IR through altered glucose and lipid utilization by the liver and adipose tissue.     

Sirt6 deletion in hepatocytes increases insulin sensitivity of female mice by enhancing ERα expression

Sirtuin 6 (Sirt6), a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase, is involved in hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, which impact metabolic homeostasis. In this paper, we discover that Sirt6 affects the insulin sensitivity of mice in a gender-dependent manner; few studies have been conducted on this issue. Based on reports revealing the influences of sex hormones on insulin signaling, this investigation explores the mechanism by which Sirt6 regulates the estrogen pathway and disrupts insulin signal transduction. Hepatocyte-specific Sirt6 knockout (Sirt6HKO) mice were generated to investigate the function of Sirt6 in hepatocytes. Mice were castrated or spayed to eliminate sex hormones. Insulin sensitivity was assessed via an insulin tolerance test (ITT) in vivo. The interaction of Sirt6 with the estrogen pathway and their impacts on insulin signal transduction were revealed by immunoblot and immunoprecipitation. Sirt6 deletion in hepatocytes significantly enhanced insulin sensitivity and signal transduction in female mice but not in male or spayed female mice as demonstrated by ITT and the phosphorylation level of Akt in the liver. We also identified upregulation of p300, ERα, and interaction of ERα with p85 in the liver of female Sirt6HKO mice. Additionally, Sirt6 was found to inhibit ERα protein stability in a p300-dependent manner without interacting directly with ERα. Our findings show that hepatic Sirt6 downregulates the ERα protein level in a p300-dependent manner and thus disturbs estrogen-induced improvement in insulin sensitivity in the liver, which may partially explain the gender difference in insulin sensitivity.     

Liver-specific p70 S6 kinase depletion protects against hepatic steatosis and systemic insulin resistance

Obesity-associated hepatic steatosis is a manifestation of selective insulin resistance whereby lipogenesis remains sensitive to insulin but the ability of insulin to suppress glucose production is impaired. We created a mouse model of liver-specific knockdown of p70 S6 kinase (S6K) (L-S6K-KD) by systemic delivery of an adeno-associated virus carrying a shRNA for S6K and examined the effects on steatosis and insulin resistance. High fat diet (HFD) fed L-S6K-KD mice showed improved glucose tolerance and systemic insulin sensitivity compared with controls, with no changes in food intake or body weight. The induction of lipogenic gene expression was attenuated in the L-S6K-KD mice with decreased sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c expression and mature SREBP-1c protein, as well as decreased steatosis on HFD. Our results demonstrate the importance of S6K: 1) as a modulator of the hepatic response to fasting/refeeding, 2) in the development of steatosis, and 3) as a key node in selective hepatic insulin resistance in obese mice.     

CD44 Plays a Critical Role in Regulating Diet-Induced Adipose Inflammation,Hepatic Steatosis,and Insulin Resistance

CD44 is a multifunctional membrane receptor implicated in the regulation of several biological processes, including inflammation. CD44 expression is elevated in liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) during obesity suggesting a possible regulatory role for CD44 in metabolic syndrome. To study this hypothesis, we examined the effect of the loss of CD44 expression on the development of various features of metabolic syndrome using CD44 null mice. Our study demonstrates that CD44-deficient mice (CD44KO) exhibit a significantly reduced susceptibility to the development of high fat-diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis, WAT-associated inflammation, and insulin resistance. The decreased expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and transport (Fasn and Cd36), de novo triglyceride synthesis (Mogat1), and triglyceride accumulation (Cidea, Cidec) appears in part responsible for the reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in CD44KO(HFD) mice. In addition, the expression of various inflammatory and cell matrix genes, including several chemokines and its receptors, osteopontin, and several matrix metalloproteinases and collagen genes was greatly diminished in CD44KO(HFD) liver consistent with reduced inflammation and fibrogenesis. In contrast, lipid accumulation was significantly increased in CD44KO(HFD) WAT, whereas inflammation as indicated by the reduced infiltration of macrophages and expression of macrophage marker genes, was significantly diminished in WAT of CD44KO(HFD) mice compared to WT(HFD) mice. CD44KO(HFD) mice remained considerably more insulin sensitive and glucose tolerant than WT(HFD) mice and exhibited lower blood insulin levels. Our study indicates that CD44 plays a critical role in regulating several aspects of metabolic syndrome and may provide a new therapeutic target in the management of insulin resistance.     

Effect of liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) gene ablation on lipid metabolism in high glucose diet (HGD) pair-fed mice

Liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is the major fatty acid binding/”chaperone” protein in hepatic cytosol. Although fatty acids can be derived from the breakdown of dietary fat and glucose, relatively little is known regarding the impact of L-FABP on phenotype in the context of high dietary glucose. Potential impact was examined in wild-type (WT) and Lfabp gene ablated (LKO) female mice fed either a control or pair-fed high glucose diet (HGD). WT mice fed HGD alone exhibited decreased whole body weight gain and weight gain/kcal food consumed—both as reduced lean tissue mass (LTM) and fat tissue mass (FTM). Conversely, LKO alone increased weight gain, lean tissue mass, and fat tissue mass while decreasing serum β-hydroxybutyrate (indicative of hepatic fatty acid oxidation)—regardless of diet. Both LKO alone and HGD alone significantly altered the serum lipoprotein profile and increased triacylglycerol (TG), but in HGD mice the LKO did not further exacerbate serum TG content. HGD had little effect on hepatic lipid composition in WT mice, but prevented the LKO-induced selective increase in hepatic phospholipid, free-cholesterol and cholesteryl-ester. Taken together, these findings suggest that high glucose diet diminished the effects of LKO on the whole body and lipid phenotype of these mice.     

Fatty liver is associated with reduced SIRT3 activity and mitochondrial protein hyperacetylation

Acetylation has recently emerged as an important mechanism for controlling a broad array of proteins mediating cellular adaptation to metabolic fuels. Acetylation is governed, in part, by SIRTs (sirtuins), class III NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases that regulate lipid and glucose metabolism in liver during fasting and aging. However, the role of acetylation or SIRTs in pathogenic hepatic fuel metabolism under nutrient excess is unknown. In the present study, we isolated acetylated proteins from total liver proteome and observed 193 preferentially acetylated proteins in mice fed on an HFD (high-fat diet) compared with controls, including 11 proteins not previously identified in acetylation studies. Exposure to the HFD led to hyperacetylation of proteins involved in gluconeogenesis, mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, methionine metabolism, liver injury and the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress response. Livers of mice fed on the HFD had reduced SIRT3 activity, a 3-fold decrease in hepatic NAD(+) levels and increased mitochondrial protein oxidation. In contrast, neither SIRT1 nor histone acetyltransferase activities were altered, implicating SIRT3 as a dominant factor contributing to the observed phenotype. In Sirt3?(/)? mice, exposure to the HFD further increased the acetylation status of liver proteins and reduced the activity of respiratory complexes III and IV. This is the first study to identify acetylation patterns in liver proteins of HFD-fed mice. Our results suggest that SIRT3 is an integral regulator of mitochondrial function and its depletion results in hyperacetylation of critical mitochondrial proteins that protect against hepatic lipotoxicity under conditions of nutrient excess.     

SOCS-1 deficiency does not prevent diet-induced insulin resistance

Obesity is associated with inflammation and increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins, which inhibit cytokine and insulin signaling. Thus, reducing SOCS expression could prevent the development of obesity-induced insulin resistance. Using SOCS-1 knockout mice, we investigated the contribution of SOCS-1 in the development of insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). SOCS-1 knockout mice on HFD gained 70% more weight, displayed a 2.3-fold increase in epididymal fat pads mass and increased hepatic lipid content. This was accompanied by increased mRNA expression of leptin and the macrophage marker CD68 in white adipose tissue and of SREBP1c and FAS in liver. HFD also induced hyperglycemia in SOCS-1 deficient mice with impairment of glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Thus, despite the role of SOCS proteins in obesity-related insulin resistance, SOCS-1 deficiency alone is not able to prevent insulin resistance induced by a diet rich in fat.     

Fructus Xanthii Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis in Rats Fed on High-Fat Diet

Fructus Xanthii (FX) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine for rhinitis, headache, cold, etc. Modern pharmacological studies revealed that FX possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of FX on glucose and insulin tolerance, and hepatic lipid metabolism in rats fed on high-fat diet (HFD). Hepatic steatosis was induced by HFD feeding. Aqueous extraction fractions of FX or vehicle were orally administered by gavage for 6 weeks. Body weight and blood glucose were monitored. Glucose and insulin tolerance test were performed. Liver morphology was visualized by hematoxylin and eosin, and oil red O staining. Expression of liver lipogenic and lipolytic genes was measured by real-time PCR. We showed here that FX improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in HFD rats. FX significantly decreased the expression of lipogenic genes and increased the expression of lipolytic genes, ameliorated lipid accumulation and decreased the total liver triglyceride (TG) content, and thus attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, FX improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, decreases lipogenesis and increases lipid oxidation in the liver of HFD rats, implying a potential application in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.     

Omija fruit ethanol extract improves adiposity and related metabolic disturbances in mice fed a high-fat diet

This study investigated the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the antiobesity effect of omija fruit ethanol extract (OFE) in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). C57BL/6J mice were fed an HFD (20% fat, w/w) with or without OFE (500 mg/kg body weight) for 16 weeks. Dietary OFE significantly increased brown adipose tissue weight and energy expenditure while concomitantly decreasing white adipose tissue (WAT) weight and adipocyte size by up-regulating the expression of brown fat-selective genes in WAT. OFE also improved hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia by enhancing hepatic fatty acid oxidation-related enzymes activity and fecal lipid excretion. In addition to steatosis, OFE decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in the liver. Moreover, OFE improved glucose tolerance and lowered plasma glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, which may be linked to decreases in the activity of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes and the circulating level of gastric inhibitory polypeptide. These findings suggest that OFE may protect against diet-induced adiposity and related metabolic disturbances by controlling brown-like transformation of WAT, fatty acid oxidation, inflammation in the liver and fecal lipid excretion. Improved insulin resistance may be also associated with its antiobesity effects.