类泛素蛋白FAT10:一个具有抵抗心肌细胞凋亡作用的新分子

目的:确定FAT10在心肌细胞的表达及其在细胞凋亡中发挥的作用。方法:①提取大鼠、小鼠和人心脏组织总RNA与总蛋白,分别用RT-PCR与Western Blot检测FAT10的表达。②构建大鼠心肌梗死(心梗)模型与大鼠乳鼠原代心肌细胞缺氧/复氧(H/R)模型,分别用实时荧光定量PCR与Western Blot检测FAT10的表达变化。③体外构建FAT10过表达慢病毒,转染原代心肌细胞后暴露于H/R的环境中,通过流式细胞术检测心肌细胞凋亡率,用Western Blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2与BAX的表达量。结果:FAT10的mRNA与蛋白在大鼠、小鼠和人的正常心脏组织中均有表达。在大鼠心梗模型的梗死心肌边缘区与H/R处理的大鼠原代心肌细胞中,FAT10表达量明显升高。在原代心肌细胞中过表达FAT10可以降低H/R引起的细胞凋亡,并且升高抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达,下调促凋亡蛋白BAX的表达。结论:FAT10是心肌组织表达的新蛋白,具有心脏保护作用,FAT10的表达上调能对抗心肌细胞凋亡。     

抵抗素上调脂肪酸转位酶表达对HepG2细胞脂质积聚的作用

目的探讨抵抗素在棕榈酸诱导下对HepG2肝细胞脂质积聚的作用及其对脂肪酸转位酶(FAT/CD36)表达调控的影响。方法 50 ng/ml重组人抵抗素及0.5 mmol/L棕榈酸孵育HepG2肝细胞,之后用100 nmol/L胰岛素处理,采用实时定量RT-PCR检测胆固醇调节元件结合蛋白(SREBP)1 mRNA水平,流式细胞仪检测胞膜CD36表达,尼罗红(Nile Red)染色后激光共聚焦显微镜检测胞内脂质含量。结果与对照组相比,抵抗素增加胞膜FAT/CD36含量(P<0.05),促进HepG2细胞SREBP1 mRNA表达(P<0.05),使胞内红色脂肪小滴增多(P<0.05)。结论在高浓度游离饱和脂肪酸环境中,抵抗素在基础及胰岛素刺激状态下通过上调HepG2的CD36表达,刺激SREBP1转录,导致HepG2肝细胞内脂质积聚。     

脂肪酸转位酶的研究进展

脂肪酸转位酶（FAT）/CD36是一种广泛表达于各种组织细胞膜表面的糖蛋白,能特异性结合长链脂肪酸、氧化低密度脂蛋白等多种配体,从而介导一系列重要的病理生理过程。本文主要介绍近年来FAT/CD36的基本特性、功能、调节方式以及其在胰岛素抵抗和动脉粥样硬化发生、发展中的作用等方面的研究进展。     

脂肪酸移位酶FAT/CD36与长链脂肪酸的结合机制

目的探讨脂肪酸移位酶FAT/CD36与长链脂肪酸的结合机制。方法 ELISA分析重组蛋白FAT/CD36与不同种类长链脂肪酸结合强弱机制,分子模拟对接进一步验证其结合机制并分析其可能作用位点。结果ELISA证明重组蛋白FAT/CD36与不同种类长链脂肪酸均显示特异性结合,结合值大小为油酸棕榈酸棕榈油酸肉豆蔻酸硬脂酸。分子模拟对接进一步验证FAT/CD36受体蛋白主要与其中的油酸、棕榈酸及棕榈油酸结合,且结合位点位于FAT/CD36受体蛋白胞外结构的Arg183-Lys-Gly-Lys-Arg-Asn-Leu-Ser-Tyr238区域组成的活性口袋。结论 FAT/CD36作为细胞长链脂肪酸转运的主要受体,其可能主要转运油酸、棕榈酸和棕榈油酸这三种脂肪酸。     

三碘甲状腺原氨酸对缺血再灌注损伤后未成熟心肌细胞中Bax、Bcl-2的影响

目的通过三碘甲状腺原氨酸对缺血再灌注损伤后未成熟心肌细胞中Bax、Bcl-2表达的影响,探讨其作用机制。方法培养原代乳鼠未成熟心肌细胞,通过缺氧复氧建立乳鼠心肌细胞缺血再灌注模型。于缺氧复氧前期给予三碘甲状腺原氨酸处理,通过聚合酶链反应仪检测三碘甲状腺原氨酸干预后心肌细胞的Bax mRNA和Bcl-2 mRNA表达情况。结果缺氧复氧前短期给予三碘甲状腺原氨酸可下调乳鼠未成熟心肌细胞Bax的表达,上调Bcl-2的表达,减少心肌细胞凋亡。结论三碘甲状腺原氨酸可以提高未成熟心肌抗缺血再灌注损伤的能力,而对心肌细胞凋亡这种保护作用与心肌细胞Bcl-2和Bax的表达相关。     

小鼠病毒性心肌炎中Fas/FasL异常表达的研究

目的探讨柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)所致小鼠病毒性心肌炎(VM)心肌细胞损伤的变化,观察Fas/FasL介导的细胞凋亡在心肌损伤中的作用.方法采用CVB3制备小鼠病毒性心肌炎动物模型,心肌组织切片HE染色了解心肌损伤情况;电镜检测观察心肌组织中的细胞凋亡;同时采用免疫组化、逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)两种方法检测心肌炎小鼠不同时期心肌组织中Fas与FasL基因转录与蛋白的表达.结果光镜观察见对照组小鼠心肌组织无异常改变,实验组病鼠可见心肌细胞坏死和单核、淋巴细胞浸润,后期可见纤维化;电镜观察对照组心肌中未检出凋亡细胞,而病鼠心肌凋亡细胞检出率较高58.33%(7/12例),且细胞凋亡多存在于炎症病灶周围的心肌细胞及病灶处炎性浸润细胞;感染后第7～14天的病鼠心肌组织中,主要表达于心肌细胞的Fas mRNA及蛋白和主要表达于浸润淋巴细胞的FasL mRNA及蛋白均明显增强;FasL蛋白表达水平与心肌病变积分呈正相关(r=0.9082,P＜0.001).结论小鼠病毒性心肌炎中心肌损伤坏死与心肌细胞凋亡共存,通过Fas/FasL基因路径介导的心肌细胞凋亡与病毒性心肌炎的发病过程有关.     

高糖高棕榈酸培养对β细胞脂质含量及脂肪酸转位酶表达的影响

目的研究高糖高棕榈酸（PA）培养对β细胞脂质含量及脂肪酸转位酶（FAT/CD36）表达的影响。方法NIT-1细胞分别以5mmol/L葡萄糖（NC组）、25mmol/L葡萄糖（HG组）、0.25mmol/LPA＋5mmol/L葡萄糖（HP组）及0.25mmol/LPA＋25mmol/L葡萄糖（GP组）培养24h后,测定细胞内甘油三酯（TG）含量、胰岛素分泌以及FAT/CD36 mRNA与蛋白的表达。结果（1）与NC组比较,各处理组细胞内TG含量增加,而葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌下降,以GP组变化最明显。（2）在高糖孵育下,HG组和GP组FAT/CD36 mRNA与蛋白表达均较NC组显著增加（P〈0.01）,但HP和GP组与相应的葡萄糖组比较,FAT/CD36表达无明显变化。结论在高棕榈酸的环境下,高糖可进一步促进β细胞脂质沉积,抑制葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌;其中高糖上调脂肪酸转位酶表达可能是其重要机制之一。     

高脂喂养及罗格列酮干预对老年大鼠骨骼肌脂肪酸转位酶表达的影响

目的观察高脂饮食对老年大鼠胰岛素抵抗（IR）和骨骼肌脂肪酸转位酶（FAT/CD36）表达的影响及罗格列酮的干预效果。方法21～23月龄Wistar大鼠60只随机分为对照组、高脂组（HF）、高脂＋罗格列酮干预组,并设4～5月龄Wistar大鼠20只作为青年对照组。清醒状态下,应用正常葡萄糖高胰岛素钳夹技术的葡萄糖输注率评价胰岛素抵抗,实时荧光定量PCR和Western印迹技术检测骨骼肌组织FAT/CD36mRNA和蛋白表达变化。结果（1）喂养4周后,老年对照组与青年组比较及老年高脂组与老年对照组比较,空腹血糖、胰岛素、游离脂肪酸及血清、骨骼肌三酰甘油均明显升高,葡萄糖输注率下降,出现了胰岛素抵抗;（2）继续喂养4周后,高脂＋罗格列酮干预组空腹血糖、胰岛素、游离脂肪酸及血清、骨骼肌三酰甘油明显下降,葡萄糖输注率升高,胰岛素抵抗状态改善;（3）与青年组比较,老年对照组骨骼肌组织中的FAT/CD36表达升高（P〈0.01）,经高脂饮食喂养后FAT/CD36表达明显升高,罗格列酮干预治疗明显降低FAT/CD36表达（P〈0.01）。结论老龄和高脂饮食均可诱导大鼠IR并伴有骨骼肌组织FAT/CD36的表达增加,罗格列酮降低FAT/CD36的表达,可能是改善胰岛素抵抗的机制之一。     

灯盏花素对缺氧/复氧大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及Stat1,3 mRNA表达的影响

目的观察灯盏花素对缺氧复氧大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及其凋亡相关基因信号转导及转录激活因子Stat1,3 mRNA表达的影响。方法用原代培养的乳鼠心肌细胞建立缺氧复氧损伤模型,随机分为4组,正常对照组,模型组、灯盏花素(25、50 mg/L)组,其中模型组、灯盏花素组进行缺氧2 h再复氧4 h。采用AnnexinⅤ-PI双染,流式细胞仪检测心肌细胞的凋亡情况;RT-PCR检测大鼠心肌细胞的Stat1,3 mRNA表达变化。结果缺氧/复氧损伤后,与正常对照组比较,大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及Stat1 mRNA表达均增加(P<0.01),Stat3 mRNA表达降低(P<0.01);灯盏花素组处理后,大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及Stat1 mRNA表达均减少(P<0.05),Stat3 mRNA表达升高(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论灯盏花素上调凋亡抑制基因Stat3mRNA表达,下调凋亡促进基因Stat1 mRNA表达,从而抑制缺氧/复氧大鼠心肌细胞的凋亡。     

脂联素依赖p38-MAPK途径抑制衣霉素诱导的内质网应激致心肌细胞凋亡

目的通过原代培养SD大鼠的乳鼠心肌细胞建立衣霉素心肌细胞内质网应激损伤模型,观察脂联素对心肌细胞内质网应激致细胞凋亡的作用及其机制。方法采用酶消化法原代培养乳鼠心肌细胞,倒置相差显微镜下观察细胞生长,通过α-肌动蛋白免疫荧光法对培养的心肌细胞进行鉴定。选用原代培养3～4天的心肌细胞,随机分为五组:对照组、1 mg/L衣霉素组、1 mg/L衣霉素+100 mg/L脂联素组、1 mg/L衣霉素+3μmol/LSB203580组及1 mg/L衣霉素+3μmol/L SB203580+100 mg/L脂联素组。实验终止后,在倒置相差显微镜下观察心肌细胞形态变化,通过流式细胞术检测心肌细胞凋亡,用qRT-PCR及免疫荧光法检测内质网应激指标GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,给予衣霉素后,细胞凋亡率显著增加,GRP78和CHOP的mR-NA及蛋白表达增加。脂联素预处理后给予衣霉素,可较大程度地逆转上述指标变化,细胞凋亡率显著下降,GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达减少;而加用p38-MAPK抑制剂SB203580后脂联素的保护作用明显减弱,凋亡率显著增加,GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达增高,但较单纯衣霉素处理组凋亡率低,GRP78和CHOP的mRNA及蛋白表达也减少。结论衣霉素可使GRP78和CHOP表达增强,启动内质网应激,导致心肌细胞凋亡,脂联素可以通过减轻内质网应激逆转衣霉素所致的心肌细胞凋亡作用,对心肌细胞有保护作用,且这种保护作用部分是通过p38-MAPK途径实现的。     

Fatty acid transporter levels and palmitate oxidation rate correlate with ejection fraction in the infarcted rat heart

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac fatty acid uptake occurs predominantly via sarcolemmal transporter proteins; fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm) and fatty acid transporter proteins (FATP) 1 and 6. We hypothesised that levels of the fatty acid transporters would be reduced in the chronically infarcted rat heart, in parallel with reduced dependence on fatty acid utilisation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vivo left ventricular ejection fractions, measured using echocardiography, were 36% lower in rats six months after coronary artery ligation than in sham-operated control rats. In isolated, perfused, infarcted hearts, 3H-palmitate oxidation was 30% lower, and correlated with in vivo ejection fractions. As myocardial lipid incorporation was also reduced by 25%, total palmitate utilisation was 29% lower in the infarcted rat heart. The protein levels of the cardiac fatty acid transporters were reduced in the infarcted rat heart; FAT/CD36 by 36%, FABPpm by 12%, FATP6 by 21% and FATP1 by 26%, and the cytosolic fatty acid binding protein (cFABP) was 47% lower than in sham-operated rat hearts. Fatty acid transporter levels correlated with both palmitate oxidation rates and cardiac ejection fractions. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in fatty acid oxidation and lipid incorporation rates were accompanied by downregulation of the cardiac fatty acid transporters. The metabolic shift away from fatty acid utilisation was proportional to the degree of functional impairment in the chronically infarcted rat heart.     

Expression of the CD36 homolog (FAT) in fibroblast cells: effects on fatty acid transport.

An adipocyte membrane glycoprotein, (FAT), homologous to human CD36, has been previously implicated in the binding/transport of long-chain fatty acids. It bound reactive derivatives of long-chain fatty acids and binding was specific and associated with significant inhibition of fatty acid uptake. Tissue distribution of the protein and regulation of its expression were also consistent with its postulated role. In this report, we have examined the effects of FAT expression on rates and properties of fatty acid uptake by Ob17PY fibroblasts lacking the protein. Three clones (P21, P22, and P25) were selected based on FAT mRNA and protein levels. Cell surface labeling could be demonstrated with the anti-CD36 antibody FITC-OKM5. In line with this, the major fraction of immunoreactive FAT was associated with the plasma membrane fraction. Assays of oleate and/or palmitate uptake demonstrated higher rates in the three FAT-expressing clones, compared to cells transfected with the empty vector. Clone P21, which had the highest protein levels on Western blots, exhibited the largest increase in transport rates. Fatty acid uptake in FAT-expressing P21 cells reflected two components, a phloretin-sensitive high-affinity saturable component with a Km of 0.004 microM and a basal phloretin-insensitive component that was a linear function of unbound fatty acid. P21 cells incorporated more exogenous fatty acid into phospholipids, indicating that binding of fatty acids was followed by their transfer into the cell and that both processes were increased by FAT expression. The data support the interpretation that FAT/CD36 functions as a high-affinity membrane receptor/transporter for long-chain fatty acids.     

What are the Biochemical Mechanisms Responsible for Enhanced Fatty Acid Utilization by Perfused Hearts from Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice?

Introduction It is generally accepted that diabetic hearts have an altered metabolic phenotype, with enhanced fatty acid (FA) utilization. The over-utilization of FA by diabetic hearts can have deleterious functional consequences, contributing to a distinct diabetic cardiomyopathy. The objective of this review will be to examine which biochemical mechanisms are responsible for enhanced FA utilization by diabetic hearts. Methodology and results Studies were performed with db/db mice, a monogenic model of type 2 diabetes with extreme obesity and hyperglycemia. Perfused db/db hearts exhibit enhanced FA oxidation and esterification. Hypothesis 1: Cardiac FA uptake is enhanced in db/db hearts. The plasma membrane content of two FA transporters, fatty acid translocase/CD36 (FAT/CD36) and plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm), was increased in db/db hearts, consistent with hypothesis 1. Hypothesis 2: Cardiac FA oxidation is enhanced in db/db hearts due to mitochondrial alterations. However, the activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) and sensitivity to inhibition by malonyl CoA was unchanged in mitochondria from db/db hearts. Furthermore, total malonyl CoA content was increased, not decreased as predicted for elevated FA oxidation. Finally, the content of uncoupling protein-3 was unchanged in db/db heart mitochondria. Conclusion Increased plasma membrane content of FA transporters (FAT/CD36 and FABPpm) will increase FA uptake into db/db cardiomyocytes and thus increase FA utilization. On the other hand, mitochondrial mechanisms do not contribute to elevated rates of FA oxidation in db/db hearts.     

Intramyocellular lipid accumulation is associated with permanent relocation ex vivo and in vitro of fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36 in obese patients

Aims/hypothesis

Intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) accumulation is a classical feature of metabolic diseases. We hypothesised that IMCL accumulate mainly as a consequence of increased adiposity and independently of type 2 diabetes. To test this, we examined IMCL accumulation in two different models and four different populations of participants: muscle biopsies and primary human muscle cells derived from non-obese and obese participants with or without type 2 diabetes. The mechanism regulating IMCL accumulation was also studied.

Methods

Muscle biopsies were obtained from ten non-obese and seven obese participants without type 2 diabetes, and from eight non-obese and eight obese type 2 diabetic patients. Mitochondrial respiration, citrate synthase activity and both AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation were measured in muscle tissue. Lipid accumulation in muscle and primary myotubes was estimated by Oil Red O staining and fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36 localisation by immunofluorescence.

Results

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are independently characterised by skeletal muscle IMCL accumulation and permanent FAT/CD36 relocation. Mitochondrial function is not reduced in type 2 diabetes. IMCL accumulation was independent of type 2 diabetes in cultured myotubes and was correlated with obesity markers of the donor. In obese participants, membrane relocation of FAT/CD36 is a determinant of IMCL accumulation.

Conclusions/interpretation

In skeletal muscle, mitochondrial function is normal in type 2 diabetes, while IMCL accumulation is dependent upon obesity or type 2 diabetes and is related to sarcolemmal FAT/CD36 relocation. In cultured myotubes, IMCL content and FAT/CD36 relocation are independent of type 2 diabetes, suggesting that distinct factors in obesity and type 2 diabetes contribute to permanent FAT/CD36 relocation ex vivo.     

The fatty acid transporter FAT/CD36 is upregulated in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues in human obesity and type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) cross the plasma membrane via a protein-mediated mechanism involving one or more LCFA-binding proteins. Among these, FAT/CD36 has been identified as key LCFA transporter in the heart and skeletal muscle, where it is regulated acutely and chronically by insulin. In skeletal muscle, FAT/CD36 expression and/or subcellular distribution is altered in obesity and type 2 diabetes. There is limited information as to whether the expression of this protein is also altered in subcutaneous and/or visceral adipose tissue depots in human obesity or type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVES: To compare (a) the expression of FAT/CD36 in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue depots in lean, overweight, and obese individuals and in type 2 diabetics, (b) to determine whether the protein expression of FAT/CD36 in these depots is associated with the severity of insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes>obese>overweight/lean) and (c) whether FAT/CD36 protein expression in these adipose tissue depots is associated with alterations in circulating substrates and hormones. SUBJECTS: Subjects who were undergoing abdominal surgery and who were lean (n=10; three men, seven women), overweight (n=10; three men, seven women) or obese (n=7; one man, six women), or who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (n=5; one man, four women) participated in this study. MEASUREMENTS: Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue samples, as well as blood samples, were obtained from the subjects while under general anesthesia. Adipose tissue samples were analyzed for FAT/CD36 using Western blotting. Serum samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, FFA and leptin. BMI was also calculated. RESULTS: Subcutaneous adipose tissue FAT/CD36 expression was upregulated by +58, +76 and +150% in overweight, obese and type 2 diabetics, respectively. Relative to subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue FAT/CD36 expression was upregulated in lean (+52%) and overweight subjects (+30%). In contrast, in obese subjects and type 2 diabetics, no difference in FAT/CD36 protein expression was observed between their subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue depots (P>0.05). The subcutaneous adipose tissue FAT/CD36 expression (R=0.85) and the visceral adipose tissue FAT/CD36 expression (R=0.77) were associated with alteration in BMI and circulating glucose and insulin. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous adipose tissue FAT/CD36 expression is upregulated in obesity and type 2 diabetes. As FAT/CD36 expression is not different in lean, overweight and obese subjects, and was only increased in type 2 diabetics, it appears that visceral adipose tissue FAT/CD36 may respond in a less dynamic manner to metabolic disturbances than subcutaneous adipose tissue FAT/CD36.     

Changes in FAT/CD36, UCP2, UCP3 and GLUT4 gene expression during lipid infusion in rat skeletal and heart muscle

OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that an increased availability of free fatty acids (NEFA) not only interferes with glucose utilization in insulin-dependent tissues, but may also result in an uncoupling effect of heart metabolism. We aimed therefore to investigate the effect of an increased availability of NEFA on gene expression of proteins involved in transmembrane fatty acid (FAT/CD36) and glucose (GLUT4) transport and of the uncoupling proteins UCP2 and 3 at the heart and skeletal muscle level. STUDY DESIGN: Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp was performed after 24 h Intralipid(R) plus heparin or saline infusion in lean Zucker rats. Skeletal and heart muscle glucose utilization was calculated by 2-deoxy-[1-(3)H]-D-glucose technique. Quantification of FAT/CD36, GLUT4, UCP2 and UCP3 mRNAs was obtained by Northern blot analysis or RT-PCR. RESULTS: In Intralipid(R) plus heparin infused animals a significant decrease in insulin-mediated glucose uptake was observed both in the heart (22.62+/-2.04 vs 10.37+/-2.33 ng/mg/min; P<0.01) and in soleus muscle (13.46+/-1.53 vs 6.84+/-2.58 ng/mg/min; P<0.05). FAT/CD36 mRNA was significantly increased in skeletal muscle tissue (+117.4+/-16.3%, P<0.05), while no differences were found at the heart level in respect to saline infused rats. A clear decrease of GLUT4 mRNA was observed in both tissues. The 24 h infusion of fat emulsion resulted in a clear enhancement of UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA levels in the heart (99.5+/-15.3 and 80+/-4%) and in the skeletal muscle (291.5+/-24.7 and 146.9+/-12.7%). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the increased availability of NEFA, FAT/CD36 gene expression increases in skeletal muscle, but not at the heart level. The augmented lipid fuel supply is responsible for the depression of insulin-mediated glucose transport and for the increase of UCP2 and 3 gene expression in both skeletal and heart muscle.     

Myocardial recovery from ischemia is impaired in CD36-null mice and restored by myocyte CD36 expression or medium-chain fatty acids

Long-chain fatty acid uptake, which provides a large part of myocardial energy, is impaired in human and murine hearts deficient in the membrane fatty acid translocase, FAT/CD36. We examined myocardial function in CD36-null mice using the working heart. Fatty acid oxidation and stores of glycogen, triglycerides, and ATP were reduced in CD36-deficient hearts and were restored to WT levels by rescue of myocyte CD36. Under normal perfusion conditions, CD36-null hearts had similar cardiac outputs and end-diastolic pressures as WT or transgenic hearts. After 6 min of ischemia, cardiac output decreased by 41% and end diastolic pressure tripled for CD36-null hearts, with no significant changes in WT or transgenic hearts. Null hearts also failed more frequently after ischemia as compared with WT or transgenics. To dissect out contribution of fatty acid uptake, a perfusate-lacking fatty acids was used. This decreased cardiac output after ischemia by 30% in WT hearts as compared with 50% for CD36-deficient hearts. End diastolic pressure, a negative index of myocardial performance, increased after ischemia in all heart types. Addition to the perfusate of a medium-chain fatty acid (caprylic acid) that does not require CD36 for uptake alleviated poor ischemic tolerance of CD36-null hearts. In summary, recovery from ischemia is compromised in CD36-deficient hearts and can be restored by CD36 rescue or by supplying medium-chain fatty acids. It would be important to determine whether the findings apply to the human situation where polymorphisms of the CD36 gene are relatively common.     

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) activity stimulation by cerulenin via sympathetic nervous system activation overrides cerulenin's peripheral effect

To clarify the paradoxic effects of cerulenin, namely its in vitro inhibitory effects on fat catabolism and its in vivo reduction of fat mass, we studied the in vivo and in vitro effects of cerulenin on carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid oxidation. A single ip injection of cerulenin significantly reduced body weight and increased core temperature without significantly reducing food intake. In situ hybridization study revealed that a single injection of cerulenin did not affect the expression of orexigenic neuropeptide mRNA. Cerulenin's effect on CPT-1 activity was biphasic in the liver and muscle: early suppression during the first 1 h and late stimulation in the 3-5 h after ip treatment. In vitro cerulenin treatment reduced CPT-1 activity, which was overcome by cotreating with catecholamine. Intracerebroventricular injection of cerulenin increased CPT-1 activity significantly in soleus muscle, and this effect was sustained for up to 3 h. Pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine inhibited the cerulenin-induced increase in core temperature and the late-phase stimulating effect of cerulenin on CPT-1 activity. In adrenalectomized mice, cerulenin also increased the activity. In vivo cerulenin treatment enhanced muscle CPT-1 activity in monosodium glutamate-treated arcuate nucleus lesioned mice but not in gold thioglucose-treated ventromedial hypothalamus lesioned mice. These findings suggest that cerulenin-induced late-phase stimulating effects on CPT-1 activity and energy expenditure is mediated by the activation of innervated sympathetic nervous system neurons through the firing of undefined neurons of the ventromedial hypothalamus, rather than the arcuate nucleus.