Effects of different fatty acids and dietary lipids on adiponectin gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells and C57BL/6J mice adipose tissue

Obesity is positively correlated to dietary lipid intake, and the type of lipid may play a causal role in the development of obesity-related pathologies. A major protein secreted by adipose tissue is adiponectin, which has antiatherogenic and antidiabetic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of four different high-fat diets (enriched with soybean oil, fish oil, coconut oil, or lard) on adiponectin gene expression and secretion by the white adipose tissue (WAT) of mice fed on a selected diet for either 2 (acute treatment) or 60 days (chronic treatment). Additionally, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated for 48 h with six different fatty acids: palmitic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA), lauric, or oleic acid. Serum adiponectin concentration was reduced in the soybean-, coconut-, and lard-enriched diets in both groups. Adiponectin gene expression was lower in retroperitoneal WAT after acute treatment with all diets. The same reduction in levels of adiponectin gene expression was observed in epididymal adipose tissue of animals chronically fed soybean and coconut diets and in 3T3-L1 cells treated with palmitic, linoleic, EPA, and DHA acids. These results indicate that the intake of certain fatty acids may affect serum adiponectin levels in mice and adiponectin gene expression in mouse WAT and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The effects appear to be time dependent and depot specific. It is postulated that the downregulation of adiponectin expression by dietary enrichment with soybean oil or coconut oil may contribute to the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis.     

LPS response pattern of inflammatory adipokines in an in vitro 3T3-L1 murine adipocyte model

Objective

In vitro 3T3-L1 mouse cells represent a reliable model to investigate the inflammatory phenotype of adipocytes activated by bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study we have evaluated the differential expression of adipokines in response to increasing doses of LPS and various incubation times.

Methods

3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes were treated with E. coli LPS (from 0 to 10 μg/ml) for a time course ranging from 4 to 24 h, 4 h each. A time point at 2 h was also included to highlight early activation by LPS. mRNA expression by RT-PCR on cell lysates and ELISA assays on cell culture supernatants were performed.

Results

Cells activated by increasing doses of LPS upregulated TNF-α expression in the first 2 h, but this expression slowed down within 6–8 h, while IL-6 expression was increasing. This reduction was also observed for CXCL12/SDF1α. Unlike IL-10, IL-6 expression was constantly upregulated by prolonging incubation with LPS. TNF-α and CXCL12 gene expression occurred early in the time-course and exhibited a second increase following the first 4–6 h of incubation with LPS. Optimal expression of most adipokines needed 6–8 h of a prolonged treatment with LPS at 37 °C. The chemokines MIP-1α/CCL3 and MIP-1β/CCL4 were maximally expressed within the first 8 h, then significantly reduced in the following times. IL-10 expression was upregulated by low doses of LPS and downregulated by prolonging time with the bacterial endotoxin. ELISA analysis of released products generally confirmed the result from gene expression experiments.

Conclusion

These data, while assessing previously reported results, highlighted new evidence about the time-dependency in LPS-mediated adipokine production, thus contributing to the comprehension of the inflammatory response of adipocyte.     

Metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle,adipose tissue,and whole-body oxidative capacity in response to resistance training

Purpose

The effects of resistance training on mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle are not fully characterized, and even less is known about alterations in adipose tissue. We aimed to investigate adaptations in oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue after 8 weeks of heavy resistance training in apparently healthy young men.

Methods

Expression of genes linked to oxidative metabolism in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was assessed before and after the training program. Body composition, peak oxygen uptake (VO_{2 peak}), fat oxidation, activity of mitochondrial enzyme in muscle, and serum adiponectin levels were also determined before and after resistance training.

Results

In muscle, the expression of the genes AdipoR1 and COX4 increased after resistance training (9 and 13 %, respectively), whereas the expression levels of the genes PGC-1α, SIRT1, TFAM, CPT1b, and FNDC5 did not change. In adipose tissue, the expression of the genes SIRT1 and CPT1b decreased after training (20 and 23 %, respectively). There was an increase in lean mass (from 59.7 ± 6.1 to 61.9 ± 6.2 kg), VO_{2 peak} (from 49.7 ± 5.5 to 56.3 ± 5.0 ml/kg/min), and fat oxidation (from 6.8 ± 2.1 to 9.1 ± 2.7 mg/kg fat-free mass/min) after training, whereas serum adiponectin levels decreased significantly and enzyme activity of citrate synthase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase did not change.

Conclusion

Despite significant increases in VO_{2 peak}, fat oxidation, and lean mass following resistance training, the total effect on gene expression and enzyme activity linked to oxidative metabolism was moderate.     

GLP-1受体激动剂对肥胖小鼠脂肪组织的脂解作用及机制探讨

目的:探讨胰高血糖素样肽1(GLP-1)受体激动剂艾塞那肽(exendin-4)对肥胖小鼠脂肪组织的作用及机制。方法:8周龄C57BL/6J小鼠高脂喂养12周后随机分为艾塞那肽组和生理盐水对照组,另设正常饮食组。取附睾旁脂肪检测sirtuin 1(SIRT1)、脂肪甘油三酯脂酶(ATGL)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)及脂联素mRNA的表达。Exendin-4或联合SIRT1激动剂/抑制剂处理3T3-L1脂肪细胞24 h;小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(MEF)诱导成脂肪细胞后exendin-4干预24 h;检测SIRT1、ATGL和激素敏感性脂酶(HSL)的蛋白表达水平。结果:与生理盐水对照组相比,艾塞那肽组小鼠附睾旁脂肪量、空腹血糖及血甘油三酯水平降低(均P0.05),体重减轻,血TNF-α水平降低。艾塞那肽干预后,肥胖小鼠脂肪组织SIRT1、ATGL和脂联素mRNA表达明显上调,TNF-αmRNA表达明显下调(P0.05)。Exendin-4剂量依赖性促进3T3-L1脂肪细胞SIRT1、ATGL和HSL脂解相关蛋白的表达。联合SIRT1激动剂后,脂滴数量减少,上述脂解相关蛋白的表达上调。联合SIRT1抑制剂后上述作用减弱。敲除SIRT1后MEF脂肪细胞内脂滴增大,数量增多,exendin-4促进脂解的作用消失。结论:艾塞那肽通过激活SIRT1促进肥胖小鼠脂肪组织脂解作用。     

Serum amyloid A, phospholipase A2-IIA and C-reactive protein as inflammatory biomarkers for prostate diseases

Introduction

Serum amyloid A (SAA), secreted group IIA phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂-IIA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are acute-phase proteins whose serum concentrations increase not only during inflammatory disorders, but also in the course of malignant diseases.

Materials and methods

In this study we analyzed serum levels of these inflammatory markers along with prostate-specific antigens (PSA) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 55), localized prostate cancers (PCa, n = 55), and metastatic prostate cancers (mPCa, n = 27) using immunological assays.

Results

We found that in comparison to healthy individuals (n = 55), patients with BPH, PCa and mPCa have elevated serum levels of SAA, sPLA₂-IIA, and CRP, in addition to elevated levels of PSA. Significant differences with respect to inflammatory biomarkers were found between localized and metastatic PCa (p < 0.001), suggesting a prognostic value of these parameters. In addition, serum concentrations of SAA and sPLA₂-IIA positively correlate with CRP in BPH patients (p < 0.05) and in patients with PCa and mPCa (p < 0.001), but not with PSA levels, Gleason score, or tumor stage, emphasizing a role of SAA and sPLA₂-IIA as circulating biomarkers of inflammation rather than of neoplastic transformation. In contrast to PSA, which differed significantly between BPH and localized PCa patients (p < 0.01), such a difference was not found for SAA, sPLA₂-IIA, and CRP. In order to elucidate whether the elevated levels of SAA and sPLA₂-IIA can be caused by cancer cell-associated synthesis, in vitro studies were performed. These analyses demonstrated the expression of SAA and sPLA₂-IIA in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cell lines, which can be further upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines in a cell type-dependent manner. This might suggest that, in addition to the hepatic origin, SAA and sPLA₂-IIA can also be synthesized and secreted by prostatic cancer tissue itself.

Conclusion

The results of the present study emphasize the utility of SAA, sPLA₂-IIA, and CRP as circulating biomarkers of inflammation during BPH development and PCa progression.     

蛋白激酶C对3T3-L1脂肪细胞抵抗素表达的影响

目的：观察蛋白激酶C转导途径对3T3-L1脂肪细胞抵抗素表达的影响。方法：3T3-L1脂肪细胞诱导分化为成熟的脂肪细胞后，分别于培养瓶中加入浓度为50 nmol/L的12-肉豆蔻酰-13-乙酸佛波酯（PMA）和浓度为5 μmol/L马来酰亚胺甲磺酸盐(Ro-31-8220)，培养24 h，用RT-PCR的方法检测3T3-L1脂肪细胞抵抗素mRNA的表达，用Western blotting检测3T3-L1脂肪细胞抵抗素表达结果：PMA组可以明显提高3T3-L1脂肪细胞抵抗素基因及蛋白的表达，明显高于对照组，两者的差异显著（P<0.01）；Ro-31-8220组其表达低于对照组，两者的差异显著（P<0.01）。结论：蛋白激酶C转导途径可以调控3T3-L1脂肪细胞抵抗素的表达。     

脂联素抑制脂肪组织MHC Ⅱ表达及对糖脂代谢的影响

目的:探讨脂联素是否通过影响脂肪组织主要组织相容性复合物Ⅱ类(MHCⅡ)的表达调节糖脂代谢。方法:脂联素基因敲除小鼠(KO)和C57BL/6小鼠(WT)分别给予高脂饲料或普通饲料,24周后,测量小鼠体重、空腹血糖(FBG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、稳态胰岛素评价指数(HOMA-IR)、血清甘油三酯(TG)、血清总胆固醇(TC)、血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C);行肝脏组织病理形态学评价;检测脂肪组织MHCⅡ反式激活因子(CIITA)、小鼠MHCⅡ抗原Eβ(H2-Eb1)、MHCⅡ恒定链(CD74)mRNA及MHCⅡ相关蛋白质表达水平。用siRNA沉默3T3-L1脂肪细胞中MHCⅡ的表达及用过表达载体升高3T3-L1脂肪细胞中的脂联素和(或)MHCⅡ的表达,检测脂联素对MHCⅡ蛋白水平的影响。结果:高脂饲料或普通饲料喂养的KO小鼠体重、FBG、FINS、HOMA-IR、TC、TG、LDL-C、肝脂肪变性、脂肪组织中CIITA、H2-Eb1、CD74 mRNA和MHCⅡ蛋白表达水平均高于WT小鼠。在脂肪细胞中,抑制脂联素能够在一定程度上逆转siRNA干扰所引起的MHCⅡ表达降低,过表达脂联素后脂肪细胞中MHCⅡ的表达降低。结论:脂联素可以通过抑制脂肪组织中MHCⅡ的表达改善糖脂代谢。     

Resveratrol prevents TNFα-induced suppression of adiponectin expression via PPARγ activation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is an adipokine, whose increase is known to suppress the expression and secretion of adiponectin in adipocytes. Resveratrol has been ever reported to recover the suppression of adiponectin by TNFα, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we validated the roles of resveratrol in the inhibition of the adiponectin by TNFα in 3T3-L1 cells. Exposure to TNFα for 24 h inhibited adiponectin synthesis and secretion, but the inhibitions were partially recovered by resveratrol treatment in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, we found that resveratrol improved the expression of adiponectin by the increase of PPARγ DNA-binding activity. Our results suggest that resveratrol may attenuate the inhibition of adiponectin expression by TNFα via activation of PPARγ, thereby possibly improving insulin resistance. However, significant preventive effects of resveratrol were only observed when it was administrated before TNFα increase, limiting its use as preventive strategy for insulin resistance.     

Metallothionein 2a gene expression is increased in subcutaneous adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic patients

Study backgroundInsulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Many of the genes and pathways involved have been identified but some remain to be defined. Metallothioneins (Mts) are a family of anti-oxidant proteins and metallothionein 2a (Mt2a) polymorphims have been recently associated with type 2 diabetes and related complications. Our objective was to determine the Mt2a gene expression levels in adipose tissues from diabetic patients and the effect of Mt treatment on adipocyte insulin sensitivity.MethodsSamples of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues from lean, type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients were analysed using RT-qPCR for Mt2a mRNA abundance. The regulation of Mt2a expression was further studied in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated or not with TNFα (10 ng/ml, 72 h) to induce insulin resistance. The effects of Mt on glucose uptake were investigated in cultured adipocytes treated with recombinant Mt protein.ResultsWe found that the Mt2a gene expression was significantly higher in adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic patients in comparison to that of lean (p = 0.003) subjects. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin resistance induced by TNFα increased Mt2a mRNA levels (p = 3 × 10^? 4) and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was significantly inhibited by 53% (p = 8 × 10^? 4) compared to vehicle, when 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with Mt protein.ConclusionsThese data suggest that Mt2a might be involved in insulin resistance through the up-regulation of Mt gene expression, which may lead to the modulation of insulin action in fat cells. These results suggest the concept of considering Mt proteins as markers and potential targets in type 2 diabetes.     

脂联素siRNA对3T3-L1细胞基础葡萄糖转运的影响

目的：构建携带小鼠脂联素（Acrp30）siRNA腺病毒载体，并检测其对小鼠脂肪细胞Acrp30表达以及对3T3-L1脂肪细胞基础葡萄糖转运的影响。方法:设计并化学合成小鼠脂肪细胞Acrp30 siRNA片段，将其亚克隆入AdEaxy XL 腺病毒载体系统，在293细胞内包装扩增为重组腺病毒。用此重组腺病毒感染3T3-L1脂肪细胞，用RT-PCR和ELISA检测其Acrp30 mRNA和蛋白表达。采用2-Deoxy-［3H］D-glucose掺入法测定脂肪细胞葡萄糖转运。结果:设计并构建了小鼠Acrp30 基因特异性siRNA腺病毒载体，该载体感染脂肪细胞后，能显著抑制Acrp30 mRNA和蛋白表达，影响3T3-L1脂肪细胞基础葡萄糖的转运，与对照组相比，差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:构建的Acrp30 基因特异性siRNA腺病毒载体能有效地抑制脂联素在3T3-L1脂肪细胞中的表达，从而影响3T3-L1脂肪细胞基础葡萄糖转运。     

番石榴叶总三萜改善3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗

 目的: 观察番石榴叶总三萜(TTPGL)对3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗(IR)的改善作用,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法: 培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞并诱导其分化,给予TTPGL(0.3、1、3、10 μg/L),并设溶媒(0.1% DMSO)组、阳性药正钒酸钠(Van,10 μmol/L)组、正常对照(control)组和模型(model)组,药物作用48 h。MTT法检测药物对前脂肪细胞活力的影响,油红O染色法观察其对细胞分化的影响。建立IR模型后,药物处理48 h,葡萄糖氧化酶-过氧化物酶法(GOD-POD)检测IR脂肪细胞上清液中葡萄糖消耗量;比色法检测游离脂肪酸(FFA)水平;ELISA法检测脂肪因子分泌水平;real-time PCR检测IR脂肪细胞蛋白酪氨酸激酶1B(PTP1B)的mRNA表达量;Western blot检测磷酸化胰岛素受体底物1/胰岛素受体底物1(p-IRS-1/IRS-1)和磷酸化蛋白激酶B/蛋白激酶B(p-Akt/Akt)的蛋白水平。结果: 与溶媒组比较,TTPGL显著提高了前脂肪细胞的活力并抑制其分化(P < 0.01)。与IR溶媒组比较,无论在基础状态下还是胰岛素刺激状态下,TTPGL(1-10 μg/L)均显著地促进了IR脂肪细胞葡萄糖消耗(P < 0.01);TTPGL(0.3~3 μg/L)显著抑制FFA的产生(P < 0.01)。与模型组比较,TTPGL(0.3和3 μg/L)显著增加IR脂肪细胞脂联素的分泌(P < 0.05)并抑制TNF-α的分泌(P < 0.01),TTPGL(3 μg/L)对抵抗素的分泌有显著抑制作用(P < 0.05),对瘦素分泌无显著作用;TTPGL(3 μg/L)显著下调IR脂肪细胞PTP1B的mRNA表达(P < 0.01);TTPGL(3 μg/L)极显著上调p-IRS-1/IRS-1的水平;TTPGL(0.3和3 μg/L)显著上调p-Akt/Akt的蛋白水平(P < 0.05)。结论: TTPGL具有显著改善3T3-L1脂肪细胞IR的作用,其作用机制可能与TTPGL下调了IR脂肪细胞PTP1B mRNA的表达、同时上调p-IRS-1/IRS-1和p-Akt/Akt的蛋白水平有关。     

CTRP-3 Regulates NOD1-mediated Inflammation and NOD1 Expression in Adipocytes and Adipose Tissue

The anti-inflammatory adipokine CTRP-3 might affect innate immune reactions such as NOD1. The impact of CTRP-3 on NOD1-mediated inflammation in adipocytes and monocytic cells as well as on NOD1 expression was investigated. Murine 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and adipocytes as well as human THP-1 monocyte-like cells were co-stimulated with the synthetic NOD1 agonist Tri-DAP and recombinant CTRP-3. Gonadal adipose tissue and primary adipocytes were obtained from a murine model carrying a knockout (KO) of CTRP-3 in adipocytes but not in stroma-vascular cells. Wildtype mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevated NOD1 expression were treated with CTRP-3. Secreted inflammatory cytokines in cell supernatants were measured by ELISA and mRNA levels were quantified by RT-PCR. Pro-inflammatory chemokine and cytokine secretion (MCP-1, RANTES, TNFα) was induced by NOD1 activation in adipocytes and monocyte-like cells, and MCP-1 and RANTES release was effectively inhibited by pre-incubation of cells with CTRP-3. CTRP-3 also antagonized LPS-triggered induction of NOD1 gene expression in murine adipose tissue, whereas adipocyte CTRP-3 deficiency upregulated NOD1 expression in adipose tissue. CTRP-3 is an effective antagonist of peptidoglycan-induced, NOD1-mediated inflammation and of LPS-induced NOD1 expression. Since basal NOD1 expression is increased by adipocyte CTRP-3 deficiency, there have to be also inflammation-independent mechanisms of NOD1 expression regulation by CTRP-3.

     

参麦注射液改善3T3-L1细胞的胰岛素抵抗

 目的: 探讨参麦注射液改善3T3-L1脂肪前体细胞胰岛素抵抗模型的效果及其作用机制。方法:使用地塞米松等将3T3-L1前脂肪细胞诱导分化为成熟脂肪细胞,使用油红O染色法检测脂肪细胞分化情况;用胰岛素诱导3T3-L1脂肪细胞以建立胰岛素抵抗模型,并使用葡萄糖氧化酶法检测细胞上清液中葡萄糖浓度,以评价模型建立情况。将建立胰岛素抵抗的细胞分为空白对照组、10 μmol/L罗格列酮阳性对照组、25 g/L参麦组和50 g/L参麦组。MTT检测各组药物作用8、16、24和36 h后的细胞活力。药物作用8、16和24 h后测定细胞上清液葡萄糖浓度。免疫印迹检测葡萄糖转运蛋白4(GLUT4)、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)、AKT和磷酸化AKT(p-AKT)在各组中的蛋白水平。结果:成功建立3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗模型,葡萄糖浓度数据显示参麦注射液(25、50 g/L)可以改善胰岛素抵抗并可以明显增加3T3-L1细胞GLUT4、PI3K及p-AKT的蛋白水平。结论:参麦注射液可以改善3T3-L1胰岛素抵抗细胞的葡萄糖利用,并且与增加GLUT4、PI3K及p-AKT的蛋白水平有关。     

Exendin-4可通过下调内质网应激信号标志蛋白表达改善3T3-L1脂肪细胞的胰岛素抵抗

目的:探讨胰高血糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)受体激动剂exendin-4对内质网应激(ERS)诱导剂衣霉素(TM)介导的3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗(IR)的影响。方法:体外培养3T3-L1脂肪细胞,分别用TM、内质网应激抑制剂牛磺熊脱氧胆酸(TUDCA)及exendin-4进行干预,以MTT法检测不同干预条件下脂肪细胞的存活情况,以葡萄糖氧化酶法检测不同干预条件下脂肪细胞的葡萄糖消耗量情况,利用Western blot法检测不同干预条件下p-Akt、Akt及ERS关键信号标志蛋白肌醇需求蛋白1(IRE1)、p-IRE1、c-Jun末端激酶(JNK)、p-JNK、蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶(PERK)、p-PERK、真核生物翻译起始因子2的α亚单位(eIF2a)、p-eIF2a和转录激活因子(ATF)-6的蛋白水平。结果:单独TUDCA或exendin-4作用,可协同胰岛素作用,增加胰岛素刺激的脂肪细胞葡萄糖消耗量(P0.05)。TM(5 mg/L)作用5 h后可减少胰岛素刺激的3T3-L1脂肪细胞萄糖消耗量(P0.05)及p-Akt的蛋白水平(P0.05)。TUDCA(1 mmol/L)或exendin-4(100 nmol/L)预处理24 h后,均可拮抗TM对胰岛素刺激的3T3-L1脂肪细胞萄糖消耗量(P0.05)及p-Akt蛋白水平的改变(P0.05),二者效价相当。TM(5 mg/L)作用5 h后可显著提高ERS标志蛋白的表达。而exendin-4(100 nmol/L)预处理24 h后,可降低TM诱导的ERS标志蛋白的表达,其效价与应用内质网应激抑制剂TUDCA(1 mmol/L)预处理24 h相当。不同的处理因素对于总IRE1、JNK、PERK及eIF2a的表达情况并无显著性影响。结论:Exendin-4可改善内质网应激介导的3T3-L1脂肪细胞的胰岛素抵抗。     

醛固酮对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞与脂肪细胞内脂素表达和分泌的影响

目的:探讨醛固酮对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞和脂肪细胞内脂素基因表达和蛋白分泌的影响。方法:10-8和10-6mol/L醛固酮加或不加10-6mol/L安体舒通分别干预3T3-L1前脂肪细胞和脂肪细胞24h和48h,用实时RT-PCR测定内脂素和盐皮质激素受体(MR)mRNA的表达,酶联免疫法测定培养液中内脂素的浓度。结果:醛固酮作用于3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,内脂素mRNA表达减少,培养液中蛋白浓度变化不明显,MR mRNA表达增高。醛固酮作用于脂肪细胞,内脂素mRNA表达和蛋白浓度均降低,MR mRNA表达增高。安体舒通在一定程度上可对抗醛固酮对内脂素的抑制作用。结论:醛固酮抑制3T3-L1脂肪细胞内脂素的基因表达和分泌。     

SPARC is over-expressed in adipose tissues of diet-induced obese rats and causes insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a secretory multifunctional matricellular glycoprotein. High circulating levels of SPARC have been reported to be associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether SPARC induces insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in adipocytes. Our results showed that feeding high fat diet to rats for 12 weeks significantly increased SPARC expression in adipose tissues at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, SPARC overexpression in stably transfected 3T3-L1 cells induced insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport, lower ATP synthesis and mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mature adipocytes. Finally, overexpression of SPARC also modulated the expression levels of several inflammatory cytokines, which play important roles in insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism during adipogenesis. In conclusion, our data suggest that SPARC is involved in obesity-induced adipose insulin resistance and may serve as a potential target in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related insulin resistance.     

Electroacupuncture prevents white adipose tissue inflammation through modulation of hypoxia-inducible factors-1α-dependent pathway in obese mice

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) shows anti-inflammation and several pleiotropic effects that interact with metabolic pathways. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that EA prevents inflammatory response and weight gain in obese mice through modulation of hypoxia-inducible factors-1α (HIF1-α)-dependent pathways in white adipose tissues.

Methods

Mice were divided in 4 groups: Non-obese, ob/ob, ob/ob submitted to 3 treatments, ob/ob submitted to 7 treatments. Low-frequency EA (2 Hz) was applied at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint 10 min three times weekly for one or two consecutive weeks in male ob/ob mice. At 22 weeks of age, plasma lipid, glucose, other metabolites and relevant markers were measured by standard assays. Adipose tissue was assessed with immunohistochemical staining. Adipose tissue extracts were also analyzed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and Western blotting.

Results

EA treatment is associated with decreased adipose tissue inflammation, and markedly decreased fat mass and adipocyte size in ob/ob mice. In obese mice, The protein levels of HIF-α were increased, EA shown a marked trend in inhibiting the hypoxic response in adipose tissue. The expression level of hypoxia-related genes (vascular endothelial growth factor A, VEGFA; glucose transporter type 1, Slc2al; glutathione peroxidase 1, GPX1) and inflammation-related genes (TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1) expression were also reduced in adipose tissue after EA treatment. EA treatment decreased the macrophage recruitment and infiltration (F4/80), and in addition we found that decrease in NF-κB and increase in IkBα were both correlated to reduction in inflammatory processes in adipose tissue. This phenomenon was paralleled by the decrease in the levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in obese mice.

Conclusions

We conclude that EA prevents weight gain through modulation of HIF-1α-dependent pathways and inflammatory response in obese adipose tissues.

     

Establishment of the Insulin Resistance Induced by Inflammatory Response in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes Cell Line

In the light of given recent reports, insulin resistance related to inflammation is characterized by increasing a diverse array of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, hypothesizing that 3T3-L1 non-differentiated preadipocytes cell line as a cell model could be used to investigate this linkage, the aim is to determine whether the preadipocytes induced by different inflammatory responses could cause insulin resistance. This paper has determined the time and concentration-dependent effects of insulin on glucose consumption in the 3T3-L1 non-differentiated preadipocytes. Glucose consumption has also been assayed in the preadipocytes which are treated with LPS and CM originated from LPS-activated RAW264.7. Then protein level of each group has been measured by coomassie brilliant blue protein kit. Furthermore, secretion levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha are measured by ELISA in the supernatant of RAW264.7 and preadipocytes. Finally, the mRNA expressions for IL-6, TNF-alpha and PPARgamma has been assessed by RT-PCR. The results show that administration of LPS and CM both can increase releases of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, as well as gene expression of IL-6 mRNA; this change is accompanied with suppression of PPARgamma mRNA activation in 3T3-L1 undifferentiated preadipocytes. In conclusion, our results suggest that in preadipocytes, pro-inflammatory cytokines can result in insulin resistance, and deserve further investigation to be helpful for treatment and revealing mechanisms of T2DM.