Specific pancreatic beta-cell surface antigens recognized by a xenogenic antiserum

An antiserum (R4) from a rabbit immunized with suspensions of C57BL/61 ob/ob mouse islet cells contains antibodies which in a 125I-protein A radioligand assay can be demonstrated to bind to single cell suspensions of normal Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mouse islet cells. The binding of 125I-protein A to islet cells was about four times that of normal rabbit serum (NRS) after incubation at a 1/600 dilution of R4 antiserum quantitatively absorbed to mouse spleen lymphocytes (R4A antiserum) and hepatocytes. Subsequent absorption of the R4A antiserum to islet cells significantly reduced the binding of 125I-protein A to islet cells incubated with the doubly absorbed serum. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled islet cell lysates followed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography suggested that the R4A antiserum recognized a Mr 40,000 glycoprotein. This glycoprotein was not detected in spleen lymphocytes. Electron microscope detection of gold-protein A complexes suggested that the binding of islet cell surface antibodies was cell specific. islet cell suspensions incubated with R4A antiserum and gold-protein A showed that 86 +/- 3 gold particles were bound per 100 beta-cells (mean +/- SE for six experiments). In contrast, the number of gold particles per 100 endocrine non-beta-cells was 8 +/- 1 which was similar to the number achieved with NRS (3 +/- 1) on all endocrine islet cells. Our observations suggest that the pancreatic islet cells, in particular the beta-cells, express a specific antigen.     

Genetically obese C57BL/6 ob/ob mice respond normally to sympathomimetic compounds

The suggestion that defective thermoregulatory thermogenesis in the genetically obese (ob/ob) mouse is due to a low thermic response to noradrenaline has been investigated using both noradrenaline and the longer-acting sympathomimetic compounds, ephedrine and BRL 26830A. Below thermoneutrality (23.5°C) the metabolic rate of obese mice was lower than that of their lean littermates, whereas at a thermoneutral temperature (31°C) the metabolic rate of the obese nice was as high as that of lean mice. This confirms the view that the ob/ob mouse has defective thermoregulatory thermogenesis. However, in C57BL/6 mice, this defect is not due to a failure to respond to noradrenaline, because at 31°C the maximum thermic effects of noradrenaline, ephedrine and BRL 26830A were as high in obese as in lean mice and at 23.5°C they were higher in obese than in lean mice. Furthermore, the response of brown adipose tissue to β-adrenoceptor stimulation appears normal since noradrenaline caused a normal rise in brown adipose tissue temperature, and treatment with noradrenaline or BRL 26830A $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ caused a normal increase in GDP binding by brown adipose tissue mtiochondria. At 31°C propranolol depressed metabolic rate equally in lean and obese C57BL/6 mice, whereas at 23.5°C it depressed metabolic rate more in lean than obese mice. In contrast to C57BL/6 mice, Aston ob/ob mice showed a reduced thermic response to noradrenaline. These results suggest that defective thermoregulatory thermogenesis in the ob/ob mouse is primarily due to a reduced ability to raise sympathetic tone, but in some strains an additional failure in the thermic response to noradrenaline may develop.     

Development of glucose intolerance and impaired plasma insulin response to glucose in obese hyperglycaemic (ob/ob) mice

The development of glucose intolerance in Aston ob/ob mice showed a gross exaggeration of the age-related changes of glucose tolerance in lean (+/+) mice. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance in ob/ob mice was poor at 5 weeks, improved by 10 weeks, but markedly worsened by 20 weeks. A 24 hour fast further exaggerated the glucose intolerance of ob/ob mice. Unlike lean mice, tolerance improved in ob/ob mice at 40 weeks. Alterations of insulin sensitivity and the plasma insulin response to glucose accounted in part for these observations. Insulin sensitivity deteriorated until 20 weeks, but improved at 40 weeks in both fed and 24 hour fasted ob/ob mice. A positive plasma insulin response to glucose was lost after 5 weeks in fed ob/ob mice. The severity of this abnormality corresponded with the extent of the basal hyperinsulinaemia. A 24 hour fast reduced plasma insulin concentrations and restored a positive plasma insulin response to glucose in ob/ob mice. The results suggest that the plasma insulin response to glucose in ob/ob mice is related to the secretory activity of the B-cells prior to stimulation. Furthermore, it is evident that factors in addition to insulin insensitivity and the impaired plasma insulin response to glucose contribute to the development of glucose intolerance in these mice.     

Zinc attenuation of GDP binding to brown adipocytes mitochondria in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

In this study, we investigate the in vitro effect of zinc addition on guanosine diphosphate (GDP) binding to mitochondria in brown adipocytes of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Interscapular brown adipocytes of male mice (obese; lean) at 4 and 12 wk of age were incubated with 0, 50, 100, or 200 μM zinc sulfate. Mitochondria were then isolated and their GDP binding capacities were measured. The GDP-binding capacities of ob/ob mice were lower than lean mice, with or without zinc addition, in both age groups (p<0.05). Zinc addition did not have any significant effect on GDP binding in lean mice. GDP binding decreased with increasing zinc addition in ob/ob mice, and this attenuation was more predominant in 12-wk old ob/ob mice. Moreover, we found that high magnesium addition (5 mM) increased GDP binding in lean mice, but this effect was not significant in ob/ob mice. This study reveals that brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in ob/ob mice could be greatly attenuated by zinc addition, suggesting that zinc may play a regulatory role in obesity.     

Absence of the inhibitory effect of guanine nucleotides on adenylate cyclase activity in white adipocyte membranes of the ob/ob mouse. Effect of the ob gene

In mice homozygous for the ob gene (ob/ob), the response of adipose tissue adenylate cyclase to stimulation by lipolytic hormones is abnormally low in comparison to that in lean mice (+/+). Studies on the kinetics of adenylate cyclase activation in white adipocyte membranes under a variety of conditions show the following differences between +/+ and ob/ob mice. 1) The inhibitory effects of GTP and guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, which were clearly seen in +/+ membranes, were absent in the ob/ob membranes. 2) Half-maximal activation by GTP (in the presence of isoproterenol) required at least 10 times more GTP in ob/ob than in +/+ membranes. 3) Increasing the magnesium concentration (up to 10 mM) of the assay medium facilitated the activation of cyclase by modulatory ligands proportionately more in ob/ob than in +/+ membranes; in the +/+ membranes, 10 mM Mg2+ abolished the inhibitory effects of GTP. 4) Treatment with pertussis toxin attenuated the inhibitory effects of guanine nucleotides in +/+ membranes; no effect of the treatment was seen in the ob/ob membranes. 5) Pretreatment of membranes with cholera toxin facilitated cyclase activation proportionately more in ob/ob than in +/+ membranes; in addition, this treatment led to a shift to the left of the GTP dose-response curve in the ob/ob membranes. Cholera and pertussis toxins catalyzed the incorporation of ADP-ribose into their respective substrates in both the +/+ and the ob/ob membranes, showing that the alpha subunits of the stimulatory and inhibitory proteins of the regulatory component Ns and Ni, respectively are present in both types of membranes. Taken together, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that an excess of beta subunit (either primary or secondary to an altered interaction between beta and Ni alpha or Ns alpha) is responsible for the altered sensitivity to activating ligands of the adipocyte adenylate cyclase of the ob/ob mouse. In addition to these findings, we report an effect of the ob gene on the expression of adenylate cyclase activity, since adipose tissue cyclase from heterozygous lean mice (+/ob) showed characteristics which were intermediate between those of +/+ and ob/ob membranes.     

Hypothalamic adrenergic receptor changes in the metabolic syndrome of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

The genetically, seasonally, and diet-induced obese, glucose-intolerant states in rodents, including ob/ob mice, have each been associated with elevated hypothalamic levels of norepinephrine (NE). With the use of quantitative autoradiography on brain slices of 6-wk-old obese (ob/ob) and lean mice, the adrenergic receptor populations in several hypothalamic nuclei were examined. The binding of [(125)I]iodocyanopindolol to beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in ob/ob mice was significantly increased in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) by 30 and 38%, in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) by 23 and 72%, and in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) by 10 and 15%, respectively, relative to lean controls. The binding of [(125)I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl-ethyl-aminomethyl-tetralone to alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors was also significantly increased in the PVN (26%), VMH (67%), and LH (21%) of ob/ob mice. In contrast, the binding of [(125)I]paraiodoclonidine to alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in ob/ob mice was significantly decreased in the VMH (38%) and the dorsomedial hypothalamus (17%) relative to lean controls. This decrease was evident in the alpha(2A)- but not the alpha(2BC)-receptor subtype. Scatchard analysis confirmed this decreased density of alpha(2)-receptors in ob/ob mice. Together with earlier studies, these changes in hypothalamic adrenergic receptors support a role for increased hypothalamic NE activity in the development of the metabolic syndrome of ob/ob mice.     

Chromium (D-phenylalanine)3 improves obesity-induced cardiac contractile defect in ob/ob mice

Objective: Low‐molecular weight chromium compounds, such as chromium picolinate [Cr(pic)₃], improve insulin sensitivity, although toxicity is a concern. We synthesized a novel chromium complex, chromium (d ‐phenylalanine)₃ [Cr(d ‐phe)₃], in an attempt to improve insulin sensitivity with reduced toxicity. The aim of this study was to compare the two chromium compounds on cardiac contractile function in ob/ob obese mice. Research Methods and Procedures: C57BL lean and ob/ob obese mice were randomly divided into three groups: H₂O, Cr(d ‐phe)₃, or Cr(pic)₃ (45 µg/kg per day orally for 6 months). Results: The glucose tolerance test displayed improved glucose clearance by Cr(d ‐phe)₃ but not Cr(pic)₃. Myocytes from ob/ob mice exhibited depressed peak shortening (PS) and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt), prolonged time‐to‐PS and time‐to‐90% relengthening (TR90), reduced electrically stimulated rise in intracellular Ca²⁺ (Δfura‐2 fluorescence intensity), and slowed intracellular Ca²⁺ decay. Although a 3‐month Cr(d ‐phe)₃ treatment for a separate group of ob/ob and lean 2‐month‐old mice only rectified reduced ±dL/dt in ob/ob mice, all mechanical and intracellular Ca²⁺ abnormalities were significantly attenuated or ablated by 6 months of Cr(d ‐phe)₃ but not Cr(pic)₃ treatment (except TR90). Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase activity and Na⁺‐Ca²⁺ exchanger expression were depressed in ob/ob mice, which were reversed by both Cr(d ‐phe)₃ and Cr(pic)₃, with a more pronounced effect from Cr(d ‐phe)₃. Cr(d ‐phe)₃ corrected reduced insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake and improved basal phosphorylation of Akt and insulin receptor, as well as insulin‐stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and insulin receptor in ob/ob myocytes. Heart homogenates from ob/ob mice had enhanced oxidative stress and protein carbonyl formation compared with the lean group, which were attenuated by both Cr(d ‐phe)₃ and Cr(pic)₃. Discussion: Our data suggest that the new Cr(d ‐phe)₃ compound possesses better cardio‐protective and insulin‐sensitizing properties against obesity.     

In vivo phenotyping of the ob/ob mouse by magnetic resonance imaging and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Objective: We studied ob/ob and wild‐type (WT) mice to characterize the adipose tissues depots and other visceral organs and to establish an experimental paradigm for in vivo phenotyping. Research Methods and Procedures: An in vivo evaluation was conducted using magnetic resonance imaging and ¹H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐MRS). We used T1‐weighted images and three‐dimensional spin echo T1‐weighted images for the morphological analysis and ¹H‐MRS spectra on all body mass, as well as ¹H‐MRS spectra focalized on specific lipid depots [triglyceride (TG) depots] for a molecular analysis. Results: In ob/ob mice, three‐dimensional evaluation of the trunk revealed that ～64% of the volume consists of white adipose tissue, which is 72% subcutaneous and 28% visceral. In vivo ¹H‐MRS showed that 20.00 ± 6.92% in the WT group and 58.67 ± 6.65% in the ob/ob group of the total proton content is composed of TG protons. In in vivo‐localized spectra of ob/ob mice, we found a polyunsaturation degree of 0.5247 in subcutaneous depots. In the liver, we observed that 48.7% of the proton signal is due to water, whereas in the WT group, the water signal amounted to 82.8% of the total proton signal. With the sequences used, the TG amount was not detectable in the brain or kidneys. Discussion: The present study shows that several parameters can be obtained by in vivo examination of ob/ob mice by magnetic resonance imaging and ¹H‐MRS and that the accumulated white adipose tissue displays low polyunsaturation degree and low hydrolipidic ratio. Relevant anatomical alterations observed in urinary and digestive apparatuses should be considered when ob/ob mice are used in experimental paradigms.     

Isolated adipocytes from growth hormone-treated obese (ob/ob) mice exhibit insulin resistance

The genetically obese (ob/ob) mouse is a useful model for the study of the diabetogenic action of growth hormone (GH), because treatment of these animals with GH results in decreased responsiveness of their adipose tissue to insulin in vitro. Studies of the mechanisms involved in GH-induced insulin resistance using isolated adipocytes of ob/ob mice have not been possible, however, because of their extreme fragility and the lack of an adequate system for the maintenance of these cells. This study describes a new method for the isolation of ob/ob mouse adipocytes. The isolated cells are stable, viable and metabolically responsive to insulin. In addition, these adipocytes have been maintained in primary culture, in serum-free medium, for up to 3 days. During culture, the cells exhibit large increases in 125I-hGH binding (10-20-fold) and porcine 125I-insulin binding (5-10-fold). The induction of insulin resistance by GH has also been demonstrated in these freshly isolated ob/ob mouse adipocytes. The studies to date indicate that the ob/ob mouse adipocyte system should provide a useful model for detailed studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of GH induced insulin resistance.     

Sensitivity of ob/ob Mice to Leptin‐Induced Adipose Tissue Apoptosis

Objective: ob/ob mice have increased sensitivity to many of leptin's effects. The primary objective of this experiment was to determine whether ob/ob mice demonstrated increased sensitivity to leptin‐induced adipose tissue apoptosis. Research Methods and Procedures: Fifteen‐week‐old female ob/ob and Ob/? mice received 0 (saline), 2.5, or 10 μg/d leptin for 14 days through subcutaneous (sc) osmotic minipumps. Food intake (FI), body temperature, physical activity, and body weight were measured daily. Body composition and weights and adipose tissue apoptosis (percentage DNA fragmentation) of inguinal, parametrial, and retroperitoneal fat pads were determined at the end of the study. Results: FI decreases were more pronounced in ob/ob. Leptin (10 μg/d) decreased total FI 71% in ob/ob and 34% in Ob/? (p < 0.05). Body weight was decreased by both doses of leptin in ob/ob (p < 0.01) but was unchanged in Ob/?. Leptin increased body temperature in ob/ob but not in Ob/?. Physical activity was increased 400% by 10 μg/d leptin in ob/ob (p < 0.01) but decreased 13% in Ob/? (p < 0.01). Body fat content of ob/ob was reduced by both leptin doses, whereas only 10 μg/d leptin decreased body fat in Ob/?. Fat pad weights were decreased similarly by leptin in both genotypes. However, apoptosis was increased by leptin in all three fat pads in ob/ob, whereas Ob/? showed significant increases only in retroperitoneal. Discussion: ob/ob mice had greater overall sensitivity to leptin. Although ob/ob mice appeared to be more sensitive than Ob/? mice to leptin‐induced adipose tissue apoptosis, there were differences among adipose depots in responsiveness to leptin‐induced apoptosis.     

Comparison of Insulin Binding Proteins In Plasma and Nuclear Membranes of Obese and Lean Mouse Liver

Abstract

Plasma membranes obtained from obese (ob/ob) and lean (+/+ or +/ob) mouse livers were chemically crosslinked to [¹²⁵I] -insulin and examined by electrophoresis and autoradiography. The pattern of crosslinked hormone was qualitatively similar in obese and lean plasma membranes. A major insulin binding protein of approximately M 120,000 was observed. Two additional bands were apparent, one which remained near the top of the gel and one about M 90,000. A minor band at approximately M 50,000 was also detected. For each of the insulin binding proteins a reduction in the amount of [¹²⁵I]-insulin bound was observed with obese plasma membranes as compared with lean. For all proteins the insulin binding was specific as determined by competition with unlabeled hormone. In addition to plasma membrane receptors, insulin has also been reported to bind to nuclear membranes. The autoradiographic patterns of gels of [¹²⁵]-insulin bound and crosslinked to nuclear membranes from obese and lean mouse livers indicated the presence of proteins of the same M as those described for plasma membranes. Nuclear membrane proteins bound less insulin than plasma membranes and, again, the obese was decreased relative to the lean. Contamination of the nuclear membrane fraction by plasma membranes was ruled out. Scatchard analyses of [¹²⁵]-insul in bound to plasma and nuclear membranes indicated that the decrease in hormone binding in the obese mouse is a result of a reduction in the absolute number of receptors. The findings presented in this study provide additional support for this conclusion by demonstrating that membranes from obese mice are comprised of the same set of apparently unaltered insulin binding proteins. Further, the presence of similar insulin binding proteins in both nuclear and plasma membranes suggests a physiological relationship between these structures with respect to hormone binding and/or in the mechanism of action of insulin.     

Telogen elongation in the hair cycle of ob/ob mice

Alopecia impairs the physical and mental health of patients. We have previously shown that 8-week-old ob/ob mice have no reactivity to depilation, which is a stimulus that induces anagen transition in normal mice, while no hair cycle abnormalities have been reported in other studies until mice reach 7 weeks of age. Therefore, we hypothesized that ob/ob mice have abnormalities in hair cycle progression beyond 7 weeks of age. We examined 6- to 24-week-old ob/ob and 6- to 10-week-old normal mice. After acclimation, the dorsal skin was harvested and the hair cycle phase was identified histologically and immunohistochemically. Normal mice showed catagen–telogen and telogen–anagen transitions at 6 and 8–9 weeks old, respectively. In contrast, the anagen–catagen transition was observed in 7-week-old mice and the telogen phase was maintained from 10 to 24 weeks in most ob/ob mice. These results suggests that ob/ob mice are a possible model animal for telogen effluvium.     

Ablation of ghrelin receptor in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice has paradoxical effects on glucose homeostasis when compared with ablation of ghrelin in ob/ob mice

The orexigenic hormone ghrelin is important in diabetes because it has an inhibitory effect on insulin secretion. Ghrelin ablation in leptin-deficient ob/ob (Ghrelin(-/-):ob/ob) mice increases insulin secretion and improves hyperglycemia. The physiologically relevant ghrelin receptor is the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), and GHS-R antagonists are thought to be an effective strategy for treating diabetes. However, since some of ghrelin's effects are independent of GHS-R, we have utilized genetic approaches to determine whether ghrelin's effect on insulin secretion is mediated through GHS-R and whether GHS-R antagonism indeed inhibits insulin secretion. We investigated the effects of GHS-R on glucose homeostasis in Ghsr-ablated ob/ob mice (Ghsr(-/-):ob/ob). Ghsr ablation did not rescue the hyperphagia, obesity, or insulin resistance of ob/ob mice. Surprisingly, Ghsr ablation worsened the hyperglycemia, decreased insulin, and impaired glucose tolerance. Consistently, Ghsr ablation in ob/ob mice upregulated negative β-cell regulators (such as UCP-2, SREBP-1c, ChREBP, and MIF-1) and downregulated positive β-cell regulators (such as HIF-1α, FGF-21, and PDX-1) in whole pancreas; this suggests that Ghsr ablation impairs pancreatic β-cell function in leptin deficiency. Of note, Ghsr ablation in ob/ob mice did not affect the islet size; the average islet size of Ghsr(-/-):ob/ob mice is similar to that of ob/ob mice. In summary, because Ghsr ablation in leptin deficiency impairs insulin secretion and worsens hyperglycemia, this suggests that GHS-R antagonists may actually aggravate diabetes under certain conditions. The paradoxical effects of ghrelin ablation and Ghsr ablation in ob/ob mice highlight the complexity of the ghrelin-signaling pathway.     

Presence of a functional inhibitory GTP-binding regulatory component, Gi, linked to adenylate cyclase in adipocytes of ob/ob mice

It has been reported recently (Begin-Heick, N. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 6187-6193) that adipocytes from the obese mouse strain (ob/ob), unlike normal mice (+/+), lack functional Gi, a GTP-regulated protein complex that mediates inhibition of adenylate cyclase. In contrast, we have found functional Gi linked to inhibition of adenylate cyclase in adipocyte membranes from both ob/ob and +/+ mice. This conclusion is based on observation of: 1) GTP-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase by antilipolytic agents, such as prostaglandin E2, nicotinic acid, and the adenosine receptor agonist, phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA); 2) classical biphasic GTP kinetics, with stimulation by low and inhibition by high concentrations of GTP; and 3) elimination of cyclase inhibition by antilipolytic agents upon treatment of ob/ob adipocytes with pertussis toxin. Upon treatment with pertussis toxin and [32P] NAD, purified adipocyte membranes from ob/ob mice incorporated twice as much radioactivity per unit membrane protein than those from +/+ mice in the 40,000-42,000 region. The inhibitory actions of PIA on adenylate cyclase were blocked by the adenosine receptor antagonists, theophylline and isobutylmethylxanthine. However, in contrast to other known inhibitory adenosine receptors, relatively high (100 nM) PIA concentrations were required for half-maximal inhibition of adenylate cyclases from both +/+ and ob/ob adipocytes. The adipocyte adenylate cyclase from both mouse strains were approximately equally susceptible to inhibition by nicotinic acid and prostaglandin E2. However, the ob/ob cyclase was inhibited by 47% with PIA, whereas the enzyme from the +/+ mouse was inhibited by only 27% (p less than 0.01). This greater inhibition by adenosine may contribute to abnormal fat metabolism in adipocytes from ob/ob mice.     

Studies on the role of opiate peptides in two forms of genetic obesity: ob/ob mouse and fa/fa rat

Recent reports have indicated that genetically obese hyperinsulinemic mice (ob/ob) and Zucker rats (fa/fa) compared with their lean controls have elevated levels of pituitary and plasma B-endorphins, opiates that can stimulate insulin secretion. In this study we have measured opiate levels by a radio-receptor assay in gastro-intestinal tissues and pancreas in ob/ob and fa/fa animals and their controls. Ob/ob mice showed significantly higher levels than control mice (+/+) in most gastro-intestinal tissues and pancreas. Levels in fa/fa rats did not differ from their controls. Radioimmunoassay of pancreas for B-endorphins, revealed higher levels in ob/ob vs +/+ mice, while there was no difference in the obese and lean rats. Fasting tended to decrease gastro-intestinal opioids in mice, while B-endorphin levels rose. It is concluded that opiates may play a significant role in the obesity of the ob/ob mouse and that this genetic obesity differs from that in Zucker rats.     

Extracellular superoxide dismutase in tissues from obese (ob/ob) mice

We have examined the protein content and gene expression of three superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes in eight tissues from obese ob/ob mice, particularly placing the focus on extracellular-SOD (EC-SOD) in the white adipose tissue (WAT). Obesity significantly increased EC-SOD level in liver, kidney, testis, gastrocnemius muscle, WAT, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and plasma, but significantly decreased the isoenzyme level in lung. Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β contents in WAT were significantly higher in obese mice than in lean control mice. Immunohistochemically, both WAT and BAT from obese mice could be stained deeply with anti-mouse EC-SOD antibody compared with those from lean mice. Each primary culture per se almost time-dependently enhanced EC-SOD production, and overtly expressed its mRNA. The loss of heparin-binding affinity of EC-SOD type C with high affinity for heparin occurred in kidney of obese mice. These results suggest that the physiological importance of this SOD isoenzyme in WAT may be a compensatory adaptation to oxidative stress.     

Decreased clearance of serum retinol-binding protein and elevated levels of transthyretin in insulin-resistant ob/ob mice

Serum retinol-binding protein (RBP4) is secreted by liver and adipocytes and is implicated in systemic insulin resistance in rodents and humans. RBP4 normally binds to the larger transthyretin (TTR) homotetramer, forming a protein complex that reduces renal clearance of RBP4. To determine whether alterations in RBP4-TTR binding contribute to elevated plasma RBP4 levels in insulin-resistant states, we investigated RBP4-TTR interactions in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice and high-fat-fed obese mice (HFD). Gel filtration chromatography of plasma showed that 88-94% of RBP4 is contained within the RBP4-TTR complex in ob/ob and lean mice. Coimmunoprecipitation with an RBP4 antibody brought down stoichiometrically equal amounts of TTR and RBP4, indicating that TTR was not more saturated with RBP4 in ob/ob mice than in controls. However, plasma TTR levels were elevated approximately fourfold in ob/ob mice vs. controls. RBP4 injected intravenously in lean mice cleared rapidly, whereas the t(1/2) for disappearance was approximately twofold longer in ob/ob plasma. Urinary fractional excretion of RBP4 was reduced in ob/ob mice, consistent with increased retention. In HFD mice, plasma TTR levels and clearance of injected RBP4 were similar to chow-fed controls. Hepatic TTR mRNA levels were elevated approximately twofold in ob/ob but not in HFD mice. Since elevated circulating RBP4 causes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mice, these findings suggest that increased TTR or alterations in RBP4-TTR binding may contribute to insulin resistance by stabilizing RBP4 at higher steady-state concentrations in circulation. Lowering TTR levels or interfering with RBP4-TTR binding may enhance insulin sensitivity in obesity and type 2 diabetes.     

Suppression of inositol phosphate release by cardiac myocytes isolated from fish oil-fed pigs

Apo C-III plays an important role in the metabolism of plasma triglyceride, which can delay the catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by interfering with apo E-mediated receptor clearance of remnant particles from plasma. The mechanism of the interference has not yet been defined. To further explore the role of apo C-III, we first injected mice with ¹²⁵I-apo C-III. The measurement of radioactivity showed that liver took up 3.3-10 fold as much radioactivity as other organs such as heart, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, and muscle. This was confirmed by incubating the tissue homogenates of the organs with ¹²⁵I-apo C-III that the radiolabeled apo C-III specifically bound to only hepatic homogenate. To investigate which subcellular part or parts of hepatic cells play the role of binding to apo C-III, hepatic cell components of nucleus, mitochondria, microsomes and plasma membranes were then incubated with ¹²⁵I-apo C-III. The radiolabeled apo C-III could specifically bind to only hepatic plasma membranes. Finally hepatic plasma membranes were purified to study the characteristics of the specific binding with apo C-III. Addition of increasing concentration of ¹²⁵I-apo C-III to human hepatic plasma membranes revealed saturable binding to membranes with a Kd of 0.31±0.07 mol/l. The maximum specific binding capacity was 1.74±0.45 apo C-III/mg membrane protein. In competition studies using unlabeled apo C-III and isolated lipoproteins HDL, LDL and VLDL, only apo C-III and VLDL effectively competed with ¹²⁵I-apo C-III for membrane binding. The binding of 125I-apo C-III to human liver plasma membranes was Ca²⁺-independent, and was abolished when plasma membranes were treated with trypsin. The characteristics of ¹²⁵I-apo C-III binding to mouse liver plasma membranes were similar to those of human liver plasma membranes with the exception of a binding maximum of 1.52±0.39 apo C-III/mg membrane protein. We conclude that apo C-III exhibits high-affinity binding to hepatic plasma membranes, which is saturable, reverse and specific.