Propionate inhibits glucose-induced insulin secretion in isolated rat pancreatic islets

Dietary fibers, probably by generating short chain fatty acids (SCFA) through enterobacterial fermentation, have a beneficial effect on the control of glycemia in patients with peripheral insulin resistance. We studied the effect of propionate on glucose-induced insulin secretion in isolated rat pancreatic islets. Evidence is presented that propionate, one of the major SCFA produced in the gut, inhibits insulin secretion induced by high glucose concentrations (11.1 and 16.7 mM) in incubated and perfused pancreatic islets. This short chain fatty acid reduces [U-(14)C]-glucose decarboxylation and raises the conversion of glucose to lactate. Propionate causes a significant decrease of both [1-(14)C]- (84%) and [2-(14)C]-pyruvate (49%) decarboxylation. These findings indicate pyruvate dehydrogenase as the major site for the propionate effect. These observations led us to postulate that the reduction in glucose oxidation and the consequent decrease in the ATP/ADP ratio may be the major mechanism for the lower insulin secretion to glucose stimulus induced by propionate.     

Important role of heparan sulfate in postnatal islet growth and insulin secretion

Heparan sulfate (HS) binds with several signaling molecules and regulates ligand-receptor interactions, playing an essential role in embryonic development. Here we showed that HS was intensively expressed in pancreatic islet β-cells after 1 week of age in mice. The enzymatic removal of HS in isolated islets resulted in attenuated glucose-induced insulin secretion with a concomitant reduction in gene expression of several key components in the insulin secretion machinery. We further depleted islet HS by inactivating the exostosin tumor-like 3 gene specifically in β-cells. These mice exhibited abnormal islet morphology with reduced β-cell proliferation after 1 week of age and glucose intolerance due to defective insulin secretion. These results demonstrate that islet HS is involved in the regulation of postnatal islet maturation and required to ensure normal insulin secretion.     

Acute insulin secretion as a predictor of weight gain in healthy humans

Objective: We sought to determine the role of the acute insulin secretory response to glucose (AIRg) in predicting weight gain in normoglycemic persons with no family history of diabetes, who are at low risk for development of disease. Research Methods and Procedures: One hundred five individuals (64 men and 41 women) who underwent measures of weight and AIRg and insulin sensitivity index (S_I) by intravenous glucose tolerance test between 1963 and 1983 were surveyed again for weight between 1994 and 1999, with a mean follow‐up of 26 ± 4 years. Results: Mean change in weight was 8 ± 10 kg. Annualized weight change was calculated as change in kilograms divided by change in year and averaged 0.27 ± 0.04 kg/yr. Dividing the cohort by either median AIRg or median S_I demonstrated no association of either AIRg or S_I with total or annualized weight gain. Subgroup analysis by ideal body weight or gender did not alter the association. Furthermore, no association between AIRg and weight gain rate was seen within insulin‐sensitive or ‐resistant subgroups, although younger age at entry was associated with greater rates of weight gain. Discussion: Our data suggest that neither AIRg nor S_I plays a role in predicting weight gain in normoglycemic individuals with no family history of diabetes.     

Allyl isothiocyanate increases carbohydrate oxidation through enhancing insulin secretion by TRPV1

Abstract

The transient receptor potential (TRP) V1 is a cation channel belonging to the TRP channel family and it has been reported to be involved in energy metabolism, especially glucose metabolism. While, we have previously shown that intragastric administration of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) enhanced glucose metabolism via TRPV1, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we examined the relationship between insulin secretion and the increase in carbohydrate oxidation due to AITC. Intragastric administration of AITC elevated blood insulin levels in mice and AITC directly enhanced insulin secretion from isolated islets. These observations were not reproduced in TRPV1 knockout mice. Furthermore, AITC did not increase carbohydrate oxidation in streptozotocin-treated mice. These results suggest that intragastric administration of AITC could induce insulin secretion from islets via TRPV1 and that enhancement of insulin secretion was related to the increased carbohydrate oxidation due to AITC.     

Identification of a small molecule activator of novel PKCs for promoting glucose-dependent insulin secretion

Using an image-based screen for small molecules that can affect Golgi morphology, we identify a small molecule, Sioc145, which can enlarge the Golgi compartments and promote protein secretion. More importantly, Sioc145 potentiates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. We show that Sioc145 selectively activates novel protein kinase Cs (nPKCs; δ and ɛ) but not conventional PKCs (cPKCs; α, βI and βII) in INS-1E insulinoma cells. In contrast, PMA, a non-selective activator of cPKCs and nPKCs, promotes insulin secretion independent of glucose concentrations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Sioc145 and PMA show differential abilities in depolarizing the cell membrane, and suggest that Sioc145 promotes insulin secretion in the amplifying pathway downstream of K_ATP channels. In pancreatic islets, the treatment with Sioc145 enhances the second phase of insulin secretion. Increased insulin granules close to the plasma membrane are observed after Sioc145 treatment. Finally, the administration of Sioc145 to diabetic GK rats increases their serum insulin levels and improves glucose tolerance. Collectively, our studies identify Sioc145 as a novel glucose-dependent insulinotropic compound via selectively activating nPKCs.     

Blockade of cannabinoid 1 receptor improves glucose responsiveness in pancreatic beta cells

Cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs) are expressed in peripheral tissues, including islets of Langerhans, where their function(s) is under scrutiny. Using mouse β‐cell lines, human islets and CB1R‐null (CB1R^?/?) mice, we have now investigated the role of CB1Rs in modulating β‐cell function and glucose responsiveness. Synthetic CB1R agonists diminished GLP‐1‐mediated cAMP accumulation and insulin secretion as well as glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in mouse β‐cell lines and human islets. In addition, silencing CB1R in mouse β cells resulted in an increased expression of pro‐insulin, glucokinase (GCK) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), but this increase was lost in β cells lacking insulin receptor. Furthermore, CB1R^?/? mice had increased pro‐insulin, GCK and GLUT2 expression in β cells. Our results suggest that CB1R signalling in pancreatic islets may be harnessed to improve β‐cell glucose responsiveness and preserve their function. Thus, our findings further support that blocking peripheral CB1Rs would be beneficial to β‐cell function in type 2 diabetes.     

Structure-activity relationships of rosiglitazone for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma transrepression

Anti-inflammatory effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPRAγ) ligands are thought to be largely due to PPARγ-mediated transrepression. Thus, transrepression-selective PPARγ ligands without agonistic activity or with only partial agonistic activity should exhibit anti-inflammatory properties with reduced side effects. Here, we investigated the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, focusing on transrepression activity. Alkenic analogs showed slightly more potent transrepression with reduced efficacy of transactivating agonistic activity. Removal of the alkyl group on the nitrogen atom improved selectivity for transrepression over transactivation. Among the synthesized compounds, 3l exhibited stronger transrepressional activity (IC₅₀: 14 μM) and weaker agonistic efficacy (11%) than rosiglitazone or pioglitazone.     

Regulation of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in THP-1 cells by ligands of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

Monocytes/macrophages (Mphi) play a pivotal role in the persistence of chronic inflammation and local tissue destruction in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. The production by Mphi of cytokines, chemokines, metalloproteinases and their inhibitors is an essential component in this process, which is tightly regulated by multiple factors. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) were shown to be involved in modulating inflammation. PPARgamma is activated by a wide variety of ligands such as fatty acids, the anti-diabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and also by certain prostaglandins of which 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ2 (PGJ2). High concentrations of PPARgamma ligands were shown to have anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) by stimulated monocytes.The aim of this study was to determine whether PGJ2 and TZDs would also exert an immunomodulatory action through the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). THP-1 monocytic cells were stimulated with PMA, thereby enhancing the secretion of IL-1, IL-6, TNFalpha, IL-1Ra and metalloproteinases. Addition of PGJ2 had an inhibitory effect on IL-1, IL-6 and TNFalpha secretion, while increasing IL-1Ra production. In contrast, the bona fide PPARgamma ligands (TZDs; rosiglitazone, pioglitazone and troglitazone) barely inhibited proinflammatory cytokines, but strongly enhanced the production of IL-1Ra from PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. Unstimulated cells did not respond to TZDs in terms of IL-1Ra production, suggesting that in order to be effective, PPAR ligands depend on PMA signalling. Basal levels of PPARgamma are barely detectable in unstimulated THP-1 cells, while stimulation with PMA up-regulates its expression, suggesting that higher levels of PPARgamma expression are necessary for receptor ligand effects to occur. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that TZDs may exert an anti-inflammatory activity by inducing the production of the IL-1Ra.     

Target genes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in colorectal cancer cells

Activation of the nuclear hormone peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) inhibits cell growth and promotes differentiation in a broad spectrum of epithelial derived tumor cell lines. Here we utilized microarray technology to identify PPARgamma gene targets in intestinal epithelial cells. For each gene, the induction or repression was seen with two structurally distinct PPARgamma agonists, and the change in expression could be blocked by co-treatment with a specific PPARgamma antagonist. A majority of the genes could be regulated independently by a retinoid X receptor specific agonist. Genes implicated in lipid transport or storage (adipophilin and liver fatty acid-binding protein) were also activated by agonists of PPAR subtypes alpha and/or delta. In contrast, PPARgamma-selective targets included genes linked to growth regulatory pathways (regenerating gene IA), colon epithelial cell maturation (GOB-4 and keratin 20), and immune modulation (neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin). Additionally, three different genes of the carcinoembryonic antigen family were induced by PPARgamma. Cultured cells treated with PPARgamma ligands demonstrated an increase in Ca(2+)-independent, carcinoembryonic antigen-dependent homotypic aggregation, suggesting a potential role for PPARgamma in regulating intercellular adhesion. Collectively, these results will help define the mechanisms by which PPARgamma regulates intestinal epithelial cell biology.     

The protective role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in lipotoxic podocytes

Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that maintain the glomerular filtration barrier. These cells are susceptible to lipotoxicity in the obese state and irreversibly lost during kidney disease leading to proteinuria and renal injury. PPARγ is a nuclear receptor whose activation can be renoprotective. This study examined the role of PPARγ in the lipotoxic podocyte using a PPARγ knockout (PPARγKO) cell line and since the activation of PPARγ by Thiazolidinediones (TZD) is limited by their side effects, it explored other alternative therapies to prevent podocyte lipotoxic damage.Wild-type and PPARγKO podocytes were exposed to the fatty acid palmitic acid (PA) and treated with the TZD (Pioglitazone) and/or the Retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist Bexarotene (BX).It revealed that podocyte PPARγ is essential for podocyte function. PPARγ deletion reduced key podocyte proteins including podocin and nephrin while increasing basal levels of oxidative and ER stress causing apoptosis and cell death. A combination therapy of low-dose TZD and BX activated both the PPARγ and RXR receptors reducing PA-induced podocyte damage. This study confirms the crucial role of PPARγ in podocyte biology and that their activation in combination therapy of TZD and BX may be beneficial in the treatment of obesity-related kidney disease.     

Reduced expression of SIRT1 is associated with diminished glucose-induced insulin secretion in islets from calorie-restricted rats

Alterations in food intake such as caloric restriction modulate the expression of SIRT1 and SIRT4 proteins that are involved in pancreatic β-cell function. Here, we search for a possible relationship between insulin secretion and the expression of SIRT1, SIRT4, PKC and PKA in islets from adult rats submitted to CR for 21 days. Rats were fed with an isocaloric diet (CTL) or received 60% (CR) of the food ingested by CTL. The dose-response curve of insulin secretion to glucose was shifted to the right in the CR compared with CTL islets (EC₅₀ of 15.1±0.17 and 10.5±0.11 mmol/L glucose). Insulin release by the depolarizing agents arginine and KCl was reduced in CR compared with CTL islets. Total islet insulin content and glucose oxidation were also reduced in CR islets. Leucine-stimulated secretion was similar in both groups, slightly reduced in CR islets stimulated by leucine plus glutamine but higher in CR islets stimulated by ketoisocaproate (KIC). Insulin secretion was also higher in CR islets stimulated by carbachol, compared with CTL islets. No differences in the rise of cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentrations stimulated by either glucose or KCl were observed between groups of islets. Finally, SIRT1, but not SIRT4, protein expression was lower in CR compared with CTL islets, whereas no differences in the expression of PKC and PKA proteins were observed. In conclusion, the lower insulin secretion in islets from CR rats was, at least in part, due to an imbalance between the expression of SIRT1 and SIRT4.     

Up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in radiation-induced heart injury in rats

To explore the expression level and the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) in radiation-induced heart injury in a rat model, thirty-two Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups (the control group, the 15-Gy irradiation group and the 18-Gy irradiation group). Experimental animals were exposed to radiation generated by a linear accelerator at the chest and killed after 3 months. Heart tissues from these animals were removed for Masson staining, PPAR-γ immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR). In addition, the protein expression of matrix metalloprotein-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and transforming growth factor type beta1 (TGF-β1), all of which are associated with fibrosis, was measured. Masson staining revealed significant myocardial fibrosis, degeneration and necrosis in rats exposed to radiation. The results of immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis showed that PPAR-γ protein expression in hearts of the irradiation groups was significantly higher than in the control group, especially in myocardium and vascular endothelial (p < 0.05). RT-PCR results also showed a parallel increase in PPAR-γ mRNA expression in the heart of the irradiation groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The expression of MMP-1 protein was not significantly different in three groups (p > 0.05). The expression of TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 proteins was, however, higher in two irradiation groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that PPAR-γ expression is up-regulated on both mRNA and protein levels in heart injured by radiation. PPAR-γ may play an important role in radiation-induced heart injury.