Endothelin-1 inhibits resistin secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Resistin is an adipocyte-derived hormone whose role in the development of insulin resistance is controversial. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a 21 amino acid peptide demonstrated to possess vasoconstrictor, positive inotropic, mitogenic, and metabolic properties. In numerous disease states, including congestive heart failure, obesity, and diabetes, elevated levels of ET-1 have been reported and are thought to contribute to the pathology of the disease. A recent study demonstrated that ET-1 induces the expression and stimulates the secretion of the adipose tissue-derived hormone leptin. However, the effect of ET-1 on resistin secretion has not been determined. To characterize the effect of ET-1 on resistin secretion, 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were differentiated into adipocytes and allowed to mature for 14 days. Cells were incubated for 24h with ET-1 (1-100 nM), insulin (1-100 nM), insulin+ET-1 (100 nM I+E) or the appropriate vehicle or antagonist. At the end of the incubation period, resistin secretion was determined in the media by immunoblotting and densitometric analysis. ET-1 (1-100 nM) significantly decreased basal resistin secretion by 49% (1 nM), 43% (10nM), and 59% (100 nM). Insulin (1-100 nM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in resistin secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes (1 nM-42%, 10nM-55%, and 100 nM-86% vs. control). Insulin-stimulated resistin secretion (100 nM) was almost completely inhibited (94%) by ET-1 (100 nM). The effects of ET-1 on resistin protein secretion were inhibited by co-incubation with the ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ-610. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that basal and hormonal stimulation of resistin secretion by insulin are inhibited by ET-1. Such findings demonstrate that resistin secretion is regulated in a similar manner to other adipose tissue factors, including leptin, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, our findings suggest that vascular factors such as ET-1 may regulate whole body energy metabolism through adipocyte-derived hormones, including leptin and resistin.     

Visfatin exerts angiogenic effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the mTOR signaling pathway

The biologically active factors known as adipocytokines are secreted primarily by adipose tissues and can act as modulators of angiogenesis. Visfatin, an adipocytokine that has recently been reported to have angiogenic properties, is upregulated in diabetes, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. Because maintenance of an angiogenic balance is critically important in the management of these diseases, understanding the molecular mechanism by which visfatin promotes angiogenesis is very important. In this report, we describe our findings demonstrating that visfatin stimulates the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which plays important roles in angiogenesis. Visfatin induced the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human endothelial cells. Inhibition of the mTOR pathway by rapamycin eliminated the angiogenic and proliferative effects of visfatin. The visfatin-induced increase in VEGF expression was also eliminated by RNA interference-mediated knockdown of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), a downstream target of mTOR. Visfatin inactivated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) by phosphorylating it at Ser-9, leading to the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Both rapamycin co-treatment and p70S6K knockdown inhibited visfatin-induced GSK3β phosphorylation at Ser-9 and nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Taken together, these results indicate that mTOR signaling is involved in visfatin-induced angiogenesis, and that this signaling leads to visfatin-induced VEGF expression and nuclear translocation of β-catenin.     

Anthocyanin enhances adipocytokine secretion and adipocyte-specific gene expression in isolated rat adipocytes

Adipocyte dysfunction is strongly associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance. It is accepted that the regulation of adipocytokine secretion or the adipocyte-specific gene expression is one of the most important targets for the prevention of obesity and amelioration of insulin sensitivity. In this study, we demonstrated that anthocyanins (cyanidin or cyanidin 3-glucoside) have the potency of a unique pharmacological function in isolated rat adipocytes. Treated adipocytes with anthocyanins enhanced adipocytokine (adiponectin and leptin) secretion and up-regulated the adipocyte specific gene expression without activation of PPARgamma in isolated rat adipocytes. The gene expression of adiponectin was also up-regulated in white adipose tissue in mice fed an anthocyanin supplemented diet. As one of the possible mechanisms, AMP-activated protein kinase activation would be associated with these changes, nevertheless, the AMP:ATP ratio was significantly decreased by administration of the anthocyanins. These data suggest that anthocyanins have a potency of unique therapeutic advantage and also have important implications for preventing obesity and diabetes.