Enhanced amylin-mediated body weight loss in estradiol-deficient diet-induced obese rats

In rodents, ovariectomy (OVX) elicits weight gain and diminished responsiveness to homeostatic signals. Here we characterized the response of obese OVX rats to peripheral amylin. Rats received sham surgery (SHAM), OVX, or OVX with hormonal replacement (17β-estradiol, 2 μg per 4 d; OVX+E) and were infused with vehicle or amylin (50 μg/kg · d) for 28 d. Amylin reduced body weight (5.1 ± 1.1%) and food intake (10.9 ± 3.4%) in SHAM rats but was twice as efficacious in OVX rats in reducing weight (11.2 ± 1.9%) and food intake (23.0 ± 2.0%). There were no differences between amylin-treated SHAM and OVX+E rats. OVX decreased metabolic rate (～24%) and increased respiratory exchange ratio relative to SHAM. Amylin partially normalized metabolic rate (13% increase) in OVX rats and decreased respiratory exchange ratio in OVX and SHAM rats. Regarding central mechanisms, amylin infusion corrected the OVX-induced decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis and increased immobility in the forced swim test. Additionally, amylin increased neurogenesis (～2-fold) within the area postrema of OVX rats. To assess the contribution of endogenous leptin to amylin-mediated weight loss in OVX rats, amylin was administered to SHAM or OVX Zucker diabetic fatty rats. In SHAM rats, amylin infusion reduced food intake but not body weight, whereas in OVX Zucker diabetic fatty rats, food intake, body weight, and insulin were reduced. Overall, amylin induced greater body weight loss in the absence of estradiol via central and peripheral actions that did not require leptin. These findings support the clinical investigation of amylin in low estradiol (e.g. postmenopausal) states.     

GLP-1 and exendin-4 can reverse hyperlipidic-related osteopenia

Increased fat mass contributes to bone deterioration. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and its related peptide exendin 1-39 amide (Ex-4), two lipid-lowering peptides, exert osteogenic effects in diabetic states. We examined the actions of 3-day administration of GLP-1 or Ex-4 on bone remodeling markers and on bone mass and structure in hyperlipidic (HL) and hypercaloric rats. Wistar rats on a hyperlipidemic diet for 35 days were subcutaneously administered GLP-1 (0.86 nmol/kg per h), Ex-4 (0.1 nmol/kg per h), or saline (control) by continuous infusion for 3 days. After killing, tibiae were removed for total RNA and protein isolation, as well as femurs and L1-L4 vertebrae for bone mass and quality assessment. Body weight and plasma insulin were unaltered in HL rats, which showed osteopenia (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), associated with hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia. GLP-1 or Ex-4 administration decreased the levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in plasma but increased osteocalcin (OC) gene expression and the osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) ratio - at the expense of an augmented OPG - above corresponding control values in the tibia. Each tested peptide similarly reversed the decreased femoral and vertebral bone mass in these rats, whereas the deteriorated trabecular structure in the vertebrae improved associated with normalization of bone remodeling. These findings demonstrate that GLP-1 and Ex-4 are similarly efficient in reversing the bone alterations in this HL rat model, which has proven to be useful for studying the fat-bone relationships.     

强直性脊柱炎外周血破骨细胞前体细胞活性的研究

目的 研究强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者外周血破骨细胞前体细胞(OCP)的数量及其与血清核因子(NF)-κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)和骨保护素(OPG)浓度以及与病情活动性的相关性.方法 采用RANKL和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(M-CSF)体外诱导8例As患者和5名健康对照的外周血培养破骨细胞(OC).应用组织化学染色法对OC中抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色.计数染色阳性胞核≥3个的细胞.骨吸收实验考察OC的功能.运用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测23例As患者和17名健康对照血清RANKL和OPG水平.对AS疾病活动性进行评估包括Bath强直性脊柱炎疾病活动指数(BASDAI)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP).对AS患者OCP数量与血清RANKUOPG比值及与病情活动性进行相关分析.统计分析采用t检验t'检验、Spearman相关分析.结果 ①As组外周血生成OC数量显著高于健康对照组(10.9±3.4与6.2±1.3,P<0.05);②AS组血清RANKL浓度、OPG浓度、RANKL/OPG比值显著高于健康对照组[(5.4±3.8)pg/ml与(1.6±0.8)pg/ml,(157±49)pg,ml与(105±20)pg/ml,0.037±0.026与0.016±0.008,P均<0.01)];③外周血生成OC数量与RANKL、RANKL/OPG比值呈正相关(r=0.692, P=0.009;r=0.813,P=0.001);④AS患者血清OPG浓度与BASDAI呈负相关(r=-0.444,P=0.044),血清RANKL浓度与BASDAI呈正相关(r=0.543,P=0.011),RANKL/OPG比值与BASI)AI呈正相关(r=0.672,R=0.001).结论 ①As患者外周血OCP数量显著增高,与关节骨质破坏程度密切相关可能是造成关节骨质破坏的机制;②AS患者OC活性增高的机制可能是炎症引起RANKL产量增多,RANKUOPG比值升高所致.     

The differential expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) in human osteoarthritic subchondral bone osteoblasts is an indicator of the metabolic state of these disease cells

OBJECTIVE: We previously reported that human OA subchondral bone osteoblasts could be discriminated into two subpopulations identified by their levels of endogenous production (low [L] or high [H]) of PGE(2). Here, we investigated the OPG and RANKL expression levels, the histologic analysis of the subchondral bone as well as the osteoclast differentiation effect of osteoblasts on normal and both OA subpopulations (L and H), and further examined on the L OA osteoblasts the modulation of bone remodelling factors on the OPG and RANKL levels, as well as on the resorption activity. METHODS: Gene expression was determined using real-time PCR, PGE2 and OPG levels by specific ELISA, and membranous RANKL by flow cytometry. Histological observation of the subchondral bone was performed on human knee specimens. Osteoclast differentiation and formation was assayed by using the pre-osteoclastic cell line RAW 264.7. OPG and RANKL modulation on L OA osteoblasts was monitored following treatment with osteotropic factors, and the resorption activity was studied by the co-culture of differentiated PBMC/osteoblasts. RESULTS: Human OA subchondral bone osteoblasts expressed less OPG than normal. Compared to normal, RANKL gene expression levels were increased in L OA and decreased in H OA cells. The OPG/RANKL mRNA ratio was significantly diminished in L OA compared to normal or H OA (p<0.02, p<0.03), and markedly increased in H OA compared to normal. Inhibition of endogenous PGE(2) levels by indomethacin markedly decreased the ratio of OPG/RANKL on the H OA. In contrast to H OA osteoblasts, L OA cells induced a significantly higher level of osteoclast differentiation and formation (p<0.05).Histological analysis showed a reduced subchondral bone on the L OA and an increased bone mass on the H OA compared to normal. Treatment of L OA osteoblasts with osteotropic factors revealed that the OPG/RANKL mRNA expression ratio was significantly reduced by vitamin D(3) and significantly increased by TNF-alpha, PTH and PGE(2), while IL-1Beta demonstrated no effect. OPG protein levels showed similar profiles. No true effect was noted on membranous RANKL upon treatment with IL-1Beta, PGE(2) and PTH, but a significant increase was observed with vitamin D3 and TNF-alpha. The resorption activity of the L OA cells was significantly inhibited by all treatments except IL-1Beta, with maximum effect observed with vitamin D(3) and PGE(2). CONCLUSION: OPG and RANKL levels, and consequently the OPG/RANKL ratio, differed according to human OA subchondral bone osteoblast classification; it is decreased in L and increased in H OA. These findings, in addition to those showing that L OA osteoblasts have a reduced subchondral bone mass and induce a higher level of osteoclast differentiation, strongly suggest that the metabolic state of the L OA osteoblasts favours bone resorption.     

T cells support osteoclastogenesis in an in vitro model derived from human multiple myeloma bone disease: the role of the OPG/TRAIL interaction

The development of multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease is mediated by increased number and activity of osteoclasts (OCs). Using an in vitro osteoclastogenesis model consisting of unstimulated and unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with MM, we showed that T cells support the formation of OCs with longer survival. Different from T-cell-depleted MM PBMC cultures, exogenous macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) were necessary for the formation of OCs; however, they did not exhibit longer survival. We found up-regulated production of RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) by fresh MM T cells. Despite high OPG levels, the persistence of osteoclastogenesis can be related to the formation of the OPG/TRAIL complex demonstrated by immunoprecipitation experiments and the addition of anti-TRAIL antibody which decreases OC formation. OCs overexpressed TRAIL decoy receptor DcR2 in the presence of MM T cells and death receptor DR4 in T-cell-depleted cultures. In addition, increased Bcl-2/Bax (B-cell lymphoma-2/Bcl2-associated protein X) ratio, following Bcl-2 up-regulation, was detected in OCs generated in the presence of T cells. Our results highlight that MM T cells support OC formation and survival, possibly involving OPG/TRAIL interaction and unbalanced OC expression of TRAIL death and decoy receptors.     

Increased formation of 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) is associated with altered bone metabolism and lower bone mass in hypercholesterolaemic subjects

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of 8-iso-prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) levels, a reliable marker of in vivo oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, with bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in hypercholesterolaemia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital centre. METHODS: Serum 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) levels were measured in 173 hypercholesterolaemic subjects and in 152 age- and sex-matched normocholesterolaemic controls. Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), OPG and RANKL levels, as well as urinary levels of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX-I), were also assessed. RESULTS: Hypercholesterolaemic subjects showed higher (P < 0.0001) serum 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) levels than controls. They also had decreased (P < 0.0001) femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD, and lower (P < 0.0001) serum BAP and OC levels. No significant differences between hypercholesterolaemic and control subjects were found when comparing urinary CTX-I levels, or serum OPG and RANKL levels. In multivariate linear regression analysis, serum 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) was the only negative predictor for femoral neck BMD and serum BAP and OC levels in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. No significant correlation (all P > 0.25) was present between serum 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) levels and urinary CTX-I levels, or serum OPG and RANKL levels, in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We found an association between increased serum 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) levels and lower bone mass and reduced serum BAP and OC concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. These results would suggest a possible role for oxidative stress in the development of lower bone mass in hypercholesterolaemia.     

Changing RANKL/OPG mRNA expression in differentiating murine primary osteoblasts

Osteoblast-osteoclast coordination is critical in the maintenance of skeletal integrity. The modulation of osteoclastogenesis by immature cells of the osteoblastic lineage is mediated through receptor activator of NF kappa B (RANK), its ligand RANKL, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), a natural decoy receptor for RANKL. Here, the expression of OPG and RANKL in primary mouse osteoblastic cultures was investigated to determine whether the osteoclastogenic stimulus depended on the stage of osteoblastic differentiation and the presence of the calciotrophic hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)). OPG mRNA expression was increased in osteoblastic cultures after the onset of mineralisation relative to less mature cultures, but did not alter in response to 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment. In contrast, basal RANK L mRNA expression did not change during differentiation but was significantly enhanced by 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment at all times. The stimulatory effects of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) on RANKL were lessened in more mature cultures, however. The RANKL/OPG ratio, an index of osteoclastogenic stimulus, was therefore increased by 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment at all stages of osteoblastic differentiation, but to a lesser degree in cultures after the onset of mineralisation. Thus the 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-driven increase in osteoclastogenic potential of immature osteoblasts appears to be mediated by increased RANKL mRNA expression, with mature osteoblasts having relatively decreased osteoclastogenic activity due to increased OPG mRNA expression. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the recently proposed negative regulatory role of mature osteoblasts on osteoclastogenesis and indicate that the relative proportions of immature and mature osteoblasts in the local microenvironment may control the degree of resorption at each specific bone site.     

链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病大鼠骨转换变化及其分子机制的研究

目的 探讨链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的糖尿病大鼠骨转换变化及其分子机制.方法 单次尾静脉注射STZ制造糖尿病大鼠模型.成模后与正常对照组大鼠同步饲养8周,处死后测定两组大鼠血钙、磷、碱性磷酸酶、骨钙素、24 h尿钙水平和尿I型胶原氨基末端交联肽(NTx)/肌酐(Cr)比值,双能X线吸收法(DEXA)测定大鼠离体腰椎和股骨骨密度.骨形态计量学方法分析大鼠骨量和骨转换变化情况,并用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测骨组织中标志骨吸收的NF-κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)/骨保护素mRNA比值和标志骨形成的骨钙素以及调控成骨的核结合因子1(Cbfa1)、osterix(OSX)mRNA表达水平.结果 与正常对照组相比,糖尿病大鼠血钙、磷、碱性磷酸酶水平无显著差异,骨钙素水平显著减低[(3.03±0.52)对(6.18±0.71)ng/ml,P<0.01],24 h尿钙水平显著增加[(16.84±0.71)对(4.98±0.58)mg/24 h,P<0.01],尿NTx/Cr比值显著下降[(5.67±0.86)对(5.23±0.98)nmol/g Cr,P<0.05].糖尿病大鼠腰椎骨密度显著减低[(0.107±0.011)对(0.149±0.009)g/cm~3,P<0.01],股骨骨密度亦显著减低[(0.099±0.013)对(0.139±0.013)g/cm~3,P<0.01].骨形态计量学分析提示糖尿病大鼠骨小梁骨量减少,骨小梁矿化表面减少,骨形成速率减低[(0.44±0.11)对(0.78±0.14)μm/d,P<0.01].实时荧光定量RT-PCR提示糖尿病大鼠骨组织中RANKL/骨保护素mRNA比值[(0.57±0.11)对(0.89±0.13),P<0.01]、骨钙素[(2.25×10~(-4)±1.19×10~(-4))对(3.43×10~(-4)±1.63×10~(-4)),P<0.01]、Cbfa1[(26.68×10~(-4)±6.53×10~(-4))对(37.21×10~(-4)±7.14×10~(-4)),P<0.01]、OSX[(1.93×10~(-4)±0.65×10~(-4))对(4.19×10~(-4)±0.71×10~(-4)),P<0.01]mRNA水平均较正常对照组显著减低.结论 糖尿病大鼠是一种低转换型骨量减少,其骨组织中调控破骨的RANKL/骨保护素mRNA水平和调控成骨的Cbfa1、OSX、骨钙素mRNA水平均下降.     

The effects of amylin on insulin secretion from Rin m5F cells and glycogen synthesis and lipogenesis in rat primary cultured hepatocytes.

The purpose of the study was to determine the physiological actions of amylin, a novel 37-amino acid peptide isolated from pancreatic islet amyloid deposits. Our results showed that an infusion of amylin reduced fasting plasma insulin levels and impaired glucose tolerance in mice. Amylin significantly reduced insulin secretion in rat insulinoma cell lines (Rin m5F cells) that were stimulated by either isoproterenol and forskolin, but it did not affect insulin secretion stimulated by isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX) or dibutyryl cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP). Amylin also reduced cAMP levels in Rin m5F cells in response to isoproterenol, but did not affect cAMP levels in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. These results suggest that the reduction of cAMP by amylin may be mediated through pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi proteins. Amylin significantly reduced basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis in rat primary cultured hepatocytes. Amylin stimulated basal and insulin-stimulated lipogenesis in hepatocytes. Amylin did not affect DNA synthesis in hepatocytes. These results suggest that amylin conducts dispersion actions on in vivo glucose metabolism in rat, and in vitro insulin secretion from Rin m5F cells and metabolism in rat hepatocytes.     

Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulates osteoprotegerin and reduces RANKL expression in ovariectomized rats

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been shown to increase bone mineral density in osteoporosis patients and prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats. But the mechanisms through which PEMF elicits these favorable biological responses are still not fully understood. Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are cytokines predominantly secreted by osteoblasts and play a central role in differentiation and functional activation of osteoclasts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PEMF on RANKL and OPG expression in ovariectomized rats. Thirty 3-month-old female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated control (Sham), ovariectomy control (OVX), and ovariectomy with PEMF treatment (PEMF). After 12-week interventions, the results showed that PEMF increased serum 17β-estradiol level, reduced serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase level, increased bone mineral density, and inhibited deterioration of bone microarchitecture and strength in OVX rats. Furthermore, PEMF could suppress RANKL expression and improve OPG expression in bone marrow cells of OVX rats. In conclusion, this study suggests that PEMF can prevent ovariectomy-induced bone loss through regulating the expression of RANKL and OPG.     

Intracellular calcium and protein kinase C mediate expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand and osteoprotegerin in osteoblasts

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) produced by osteoblasts/stromal cells are involved as positive and negative regulators in osteoclast formation. Three independent signals have been proposed to induce RANKL expression in osteoblasts/stromal cells: vitamin D receptor-, cAMP-, and gp130-mediated signals. We previously reported that intracellular calcium-elevating compounds such as ionomycin, cyclopiazonic acid, and thapsigargin induced osteoclast formation in cocultures of mouse bone marrow cells and primary osteoblasts. Increases in calcium concentration in culture medium also induced osteoclast formation in cocultures. Treatment of primary osteoblasts with these compounds or with high calcium medium stimulated the expression of both RANKL and OPG messenger RNAs (mRNAs). 1,2-Bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid)-tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester, an intracellular calcium chelator, suppressed both ionomycin-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures and expression of RANKL and OPG mRNAs in primary osteoblasts. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C, also stimulated osteoclast formation in these cocultures and the expression of RANKL and OPG mRNAs in primary osteoblasts. Protein kinase C inhibitors such as calphostin and staurosporin suppressed ionomycin- and PMA-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures and expression of RANKL and OPG mRNAs in primary osteoblasts. Ionomycin stimulated RANKL mRNA expression in ST2 and MC3T3-G2/PA6 cells, but not in MC3T3-E1 or NIH-3T3 cells. These effects were closely correlated with osteoclast formation in response to ionomycin in cocultures with these stromal cell lines. OPG strongly inhibited osteoclast formation induced by calcium-elevating compounds and PMA in cocultures, suggesting that RANKL expression in osteoblasts is a rate-limiting step for osteoclast induction. Forskolin, an activator of cAMP signals, also stimulated osteoclast formation in cocultures. Forskolin enhanced RANKL mRNA expression but suppressed OPG mRNA expression in primary osteoblasts. These results suggest that the calcium/protein kinase C signal in osteoblasts/stromal cells is the fourth signal for inducing RANKL mRNA expression, which, in turn, stimulates osteoclast formation.     

The anorectic effect of a chronic peripheral infusion of amylin is abolished in area postrema/nucleus of the solitary tract (AP/NTS) lesioned rats.

OBJECTIVE: Neurons in the area postrema/nucleus of the solitary tract (AP/NTS) region mediate amylin's anorectic effect elicited by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a low dose (5 microg/kg). Here, we tested if a sustained elevation in amylin levels which was achieved by chronic amylin infusion reduces food intake by acting in the AP/NTS region or, possibly, at other brain sites. Further, we tested the role of the AP/NTS region in mediating the anorectic effects of high doses of amylin and its receptor agonist salmon calcitonin (sCT) after an acute single injection. DESIGN: Amylin (2 microg/kg/h) was chronically infused i.p. by osmotic minipumps in AP/NTS-lesioned (AP-X) or sham-lesioned (SHAM) rats. For the acute experiments, amylin or sCT was injected i.p. at doses of 0.5 (only sCT), 5 or 50 microg/kg. Food intake was measured by a computerized system. Body weight was assessed by manually weighing the rats. RESULTS: Amylin significantly reduced cumulative food intake for about 7 days in SHAM but not in AP-X rats. Amylin's effect in SHAM rats was mainly due to a reduction of the size of nocturnal meals (eg average meal size during the first four dark phases; SHAM, NaCl 4.1+/-0.6 vs amylin 2.6+/-0.4 g; n=6, P<0.05; AP-X, 2.6+/-0.3 vs 3.7+/-0.3) while light phase food intake was unaffected. Body weight gain over the whole 14 day infusion period was reduced by amylin in SHAM (NaCl 61+/-6 vs amylin 46+/-4 g; P<0.05) but not in AP-X rats (54+/-4 vs 62+/-4). After single injection, the anorectic effect of high doses of amylin and sCT (50 microg/kg) was attenuated, but not abolished, in AP-X rats. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, under our experimental conditions, neurons in the AP/NTS region are necessary for chronically elevated peripheral amylin to reduce food intake in rats. High doses of amylin, however, may be able to overrun these receptors and reduce feeding by acting at other brain sites.     

Amylin gene promoter mutations predispose to Type 2 diabetes in New Zealand Maori

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Amylin gene mutations are known to predispose Chinese and Japanese subjects, but not Caucasian subjects, to Type 2 diabetes. New Zealand Maori, who have a high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, have genetic origins in South East Asia. Amylin gene mutations could therefore predispose New Zealand Maori to Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The amylin gene was screened for mutations in the proximal promoter region, exons 1 and 2, intron 1, and coding region of exon 3 by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing of 131 Type 2 diabetic Maori patients and 258 non-diabetic Maori control subjects. RESULTS: We identified three new amylin gene mutations: two mutations in the promoter region (-215T>G and -132G>A) and a missense mutation in exon 3 (Q10R). The -215T>G mutation was observed in 5.4% of Type 2 Maori diabetic patients and predisposed the carrier to diabetes with a relative risk of 7.23. The -215T>G mutation was inherited with a previously described amylin promoter polymorphism (-230A>C) in 3% of the Maori with Type 2 diabetes, which suggests linkage disequilibrium exists between these two mutations. The -230A>C polymorphism on its own, however, was not associated with Type 2 diabetes in Maori subjects. The -132G>A and Q10R mutations were both observed in 0.76% of Type 2 diabetic patients and were absent in non-diabetic subjects. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: The amylin gene mutations identified in this study are associated with Type 2 diabetes in 7% of Maori. Amylin is likely to be an important susceptibility gene for Type 2 diabetes in Maori people.     

Estrogen receptor alpha, but not estrogen receptor beta, is involved in the regulation of the OPG/RANKL (osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand) ratio and serum interleukin-6 in male mice.

Estrogens are important for the male skeleton. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) have been suggested to be involved in the skeletal effects of estrogen. We treated orchidectomized mice with estradiol for 2 weeks and observed a 143% increase in the trabecular bone mineral density of the distal metaphysis of femur that was associated with a decreased OPG/RANKL mRNA ratio in vertebral bone. A similar decreased OPG/RANKL ratio was also seen after estrogen treatment of ovariectomized female mice. The effect of estrogen receptor (ER) inactivation on the OPG/RANKL ratio was dissected by using intact male mice lacking ER alpha (ERKO), ER beta (BERKO) or both receptors (DERKO). The expression of OPG was increased in ERKO and DERKO but not in BERKO male mice, resulting in an increased OPG/RANKL ratio. Furthermore, serum levels of IL-6 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP 5b) were decreased in ERKO and DERKO, but not in BERKO male mice. These results demonstrate that ER alpha, but not ER beta, is involved in the regulation of the vertebral OPG/RANKL ratio, serum levels of IL-6 and TRAP 5b in male mice.     

Antiobesity effects of the beta-cell hormone amylin in diet-induced obese rats: effects on food intake, body weight, composition, energy expenditure, and gene expression

Effects of amylin and pair feeding (PF) on body weight and metabolic parameters were characterized in diet-induced obesity-prone rats. Peripherally administered rat amylin (300 microg/kg.d, 22d) reduced food intake and slowed weight gain: approximately 10% (P<0.05), similar to PF. Fat loss was 3-fold greater in amylin-treated rats vs. PF (P<0.05). Whereas PF decreased lean tissue (P<0.05 vs. vehicle controls; VEH), amylin did not. During wk 1, amylin and PF reduced 24-h respiratory quotient (mean+/-se, 0.82+/-0.0, 0.81+/-0.0, respectively; P<0.05) similar to VEH (0.84+/-0.01). Energy expenditure (EE mean+/-se) tended to be reduced by PF (5.67+/-0.1 kcal/h.kg) and maintained by amylin (5.86+/-0.1 kcal/h.kg) relative to VEH (5.77+/-0.0 kcal/h.kg). By wk 3, respiratory quotient no longer differed; however, EE increased with amylin treatment (5.74+/-0.09 kcal/.kg; P<0.05) relative to VEH (5.49+/-0.06) and PF (5.38+/-0.07 kcal/h.kg). Differences in EE, attributed to differences in lean mass, argued against specific amylin-induced thermogenesis. Weight loss in amylin and pair-fed rats was accompanied by similar increases arcuate neuropeptide Y mRNA (P<0.05). Amylin treatment, but not PF, increased proopiomelanocortin mRNA levels (P<0.05 vs. VEH). In a rodent model of obesity, amylin reduced body weight and body fat, with relative preservation of lean tissue, through anorexigenic and specific metabolic effects.     

Osteoprotegerin and RANKL in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The mechanisms leading to osteoporosis in alcoholic liver disease remain poorly understood. Recently identified soluble circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG), is the osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor. It acts as a decoy receptor for osteoclast activating factor, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), and impairs osteoclast function. The aim of our study was to investigate the OPG/RANKL system in alcoholic cirrhotic patients and their correlation with biochemical marker of bone turnover. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum OPG, RANKL, osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), bone alkaline phosphatase activity (bALP), and urinary hydroxyproline were measured in 30 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, and in 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: OPG levels were significantly increased in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis compared with healthy subjects (5.9 pmol/l, range 2.7-9.0 vs 4.1 pmol/l, range 1.2-6.6; P < 0.001). RANKL levels were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis (0.48 pmol/l, range 0.01-1.34) than in healthy subjects (0.11 pmol/l, range 0.01-0.90). There was a positive correlation between serum OPG and RANKL (r = 0.37; P < 0.001), bALP (r = 0.66; P < 0.001) and urinary hydroxyproline (r = 0.51; P < 0.05) but not with OC and CTX-I. CONCLUSIONS: OPG might partly represent a compensating mechanism to the negative balance of bone remodelling in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.     

Amylin: a novel action in the brain to reduce body weight

Amylin is a 37-amino acid peptide hormone that is co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic B cells in response to a nutrient stimulus (e.g., during meals). To test the hypothesis that amylin acts within the brain to reduce long-term food intake and body weight, we examined the effects of acute and chronic 3rd-ventricular (i3vt) infusion of low doses of amylin on food intake and body weight in rats. In one experiment, separate groups of ad lib-fed male Long Evans rats were given one i3vt infusion (3 microl over 30 s) of synthetic cerebrospinal fluid vehicle or 1 to 100 pmol amylin, and food intake and body weight were monitored for 7 days. Amylin potently and dose-dependently reduced 1-h food intake, with all doses producing significant reductions. The largest dose (100 pmol) significantly reduced 24-h intake by over 30%. The effect was persistent in that both 7-day cumulative food intake and body weight change were significantly decreased over the 7 days following a single injection of 100 pmol of amylin. Other groups of rats received continuous i3vt infusion (0.5 microl/h volume) of saline or 2.0 pmol/h amylin via osmotic minipumps over 10 days. Food intake over the 10-day infusion was significantly suppressed in amylin-treated rats as compared to that of controls. Consequently, by the 4th day of infusion, amylin rats weighed significantly less than baseline relative to saline controls, and this difference persisted throughout the remainder of the infusion period. At sacrifice (Day 10), the percent of body weight from retroperitoneal fat depots was significantly lower in the amylin-treated rats, indicative of a reduction of total body adiposity. In summary, the results support the hypothesis that amylin acts as a signal to the brain contributing to the maintenance of long-term energy balance.     

Regulatory Effect of Parathyroid Hormone on sRANKL-Osteoprotegerin in Hemodialysis Patients With Renal Bone Disease

Abstract: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin are newly identified molecules that contribute to the modulation of bone remodeling. RANKL activates osteoclast function by binding to RANK in either a soluble or membrane-bound form, whereas osteoprotegerin (OPG) neutralizes its effects. The aim of this study is the evaluation of soluble RANKL (sRANKL)-OPG in cohorts of hemodialysis patients and the establishment of possible correlations between their serum levels and those of other biochemical markers. We measured intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), osteocalcin (OC), OPG, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and sRANKL in 104 hemodialysis patients. The patients were studied as a whole and in two subgroups according to their bone turnover state. In patients with low serum levels of bone turnover markers (intact parathyroid hormone [iPTH] < 100 pg/mL, ALP < 100 U/L, TRAP < 4U/L; 33 patients), the following correlations were found: (i) positive correlations of iPTH with RANKL (r = 0.394, P = 0.023) and RANKL/OPG ratio (r = 0.49, P = 0.004); (ii) a negative correlation between iPTH and OPG (r = −0.365, P = 0.037). The subgroup of patients with normal or high serum levels of bone turnover markers (iPTH ≥ 150 pg/mL, ALP ≥ 100U/L, OC ≥ 40 ng/mL; 19 patients) exhibited the following significant correlations: (i) a positive correlation between OPG and iPTH serum level (r = 0.649, P = 0.003); and (ii) a negative correlation between RANKL/OPG ratio and iPTH (r = −0.464, P = 0.045). In conclusion, the observation that PTH favors RANKL and inhibits OPG production was only demonstrated in the serum of hemodialysis patients in a low turnover state. The positive correlation between serum OPG and iPTH in normal or high turnover rates implies a homeostatic mechanism to limit bone resorption, probably associated with skeletal resistance to PTH.