Reduced gene expression of UCP2 but not UCP3 in skeletal muscle of human obese subjects

Summary Massive overweight is an increasing health problem and underlies several complications which in turn result in premature death. The mechanisms underlying the imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, that lead to obesity in humans, are still only partly understood. In rodents, heat generation and the burning of calories by the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) are important for metabolic control. However, UCP1 is exclusively expressed in brown fat which is only present in limited amounts in human adults. The recent characterization of two new uncoupling proteins, UCP2 and UCP3, may elucidate potentially important pathways for energy expenditure regulation in man. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity is accompanied by aberrations in UCP2 and UCP3 regulation. Expression of these two genes was examined using in situ hybridization in six lean and six obese, but otherwise healthy, men. The UCP2 expression was decreased by 28 % (p = 0.001) in the abdominal muscle of the obese subjects. No differences in UCP3 expression were observed between obese and control subjects, although there was great variation in the expression between subjects. In conclusion, these data suggest an impaired activity of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP2, but probably not UCP3, in obese subjects. This may result in decreased energy expenditure and contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity. [Diabetologia (1998) 41: 935–939] Received: 5 December 1997 and in revised form: 18 February 1998     

血糖变化对糖尿病大鼠骨骼肌GLUT4基因表达的影响

目的 观察血糖变化对ＳＴＺ糖尿病大鼠骨骼肌葡萄糖转运体（ＧＬＵＴ４）基因表达的影响。方法 用较小剂量的ＳＴＺ获得正常空腹血糖和空腹胰岛素水平的糖尿病大鼠,使用根皮苷纠正这种糖尿病大鼠进食后２小时的高血糖,利用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ测定骨骼肌中ＧＬＵＴ４ｍＲＮＡ的含量。结果 糖尿病大鼠的骨骼肌中ＧＬＵＴ４ｍＲＮＡ的含量明显低于正常大鼠（Ｐ〈０．０１）,根皮苷治疗在不影响体重和胰岛素水平的基础上,     

Exercise increases skeletal muscle GLUT4 gene expression in patients with type 2 diabetes

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a single bout of exercise on GLUT4 gene expression in muscle of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and control subjects, matched for age and body mass index. Nine patients with T2D and nine control subjects performed 60 min of cycling exercise at ~55% peak power (W(max) ). Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained at baseline, immediately post and 3-h post exercise. GLUT4 mRNA expression increased (p < 0.05) to a similar extent immediately post exercise in control (~60%) and T2D (~66%) subjects, and remained elevated (p < 0.05) 3-h post exercise with no differences between groups. Similarly, p-AMP-activated protein kinase, p38 mitogen-activated kinase and proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-alpha mRNA expression were increased (p < 0.05) post exercise, and were not different between the groups. In conclusion, a single bout of exercise increased skeletal muscle GLUT4 mRNA expression in patients with T2D to a similar extent as in control subjects.     

Fiber type dependent upregulation of human skeletal muscle UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression by high-fat diet

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that consumption of a high-fat diet leads to an increase in UCP mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle. In a group of endurance athletes, with a range in fiber type distribution, we hypothesized that the effect of the high-fat diet on UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression is more pronounced in muscle fibers which are known to have a high capacity to shift from carbohydrate to fat oxidation (type IIA fibers). DESIGN: Ten healthy trained athletes (five males, five females) consumed a low-fat diet (17+/-0.9 en% of fat) and high-fat diet (41.4+/-1.4 en% fat) for 4 weeks, separated by a 4 week wash-out period. Muscle biopsies were collected at the end of both dietary periods. MEASUREMENTS: Using RT-PCR, levels of UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression were measured and the percentage of type I, IIA and IIB fibers were determined using the myofibrillar ATPase method in all subjects. RESULTS: UCP3L mRNA expression tended to be higher on the high-fat diet, an effect which reached significance when only males were considered (P=0.037). Furthermore, diet-induced change in mRNA expression of UCP3T (r: 0.66, P=0.037), UCP3L (r: 0.61, P=0.06) and UCP2 (r: 0.70, P=0.025), but not UCP3S, correlated significantly with percentage dietary fat on the high-fat diet. Plasma FFA levels were not different during the two diets. Finally, the percentage of type IIA fibers was positively correlated with the diet-induced change in mRNA expression for UCP2 (r: 0.7, P=0.03), UCP3L (r: 0.73, P=0.016) and UCP3T (r: 0.68, P=0.03) but not with UCP3S (r: 0.06, NS). CONCLUSION: UCP2 and UCP3 mRNAs are upregulated by a high-fat diet. This upregulation is more pronounced in humans with high proportions of type IIA fibers, suggesting a role for UCPs in lipid utilization.     

The effect of weight reduction on skeletal muscle UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA expression and UCP3 protein content in Type II diabetic subjects

Aims/hypothesis. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of weight loss on UCP2/UCP3 mRNA expression and UCP3 protein content in subjects with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.¶Methods. We studied seven Type II diabetic subjects who followed a 10-week very low calorie diet. Expression of skeletal muscle UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA was measured using RT-competitive PCR and UCP3 protein content by western blotting, before and after the diet. Total and plasma fatty acid oxidation was measured using infusion of ¹³C labelled palmitate.¶Results. Body weight decreased from 105.5 ± 8.2 kg to 91.6 ± 7.2 kg (p < 0.001), after 10 weeks of diet intervention. Expression of UCP2 and UCP3 mRNA were significantly reduced after 10 weeks of diet (p < 0.05) but UCP3 protein contents were not significantly altered. Notably, the change in UCP3L mRNA expression and UCP3 protein content after the very low calorie diet were negatively associated with changes in body weight (r = – 0.97, p = 0.006 and r = – 0.83, p = 0.043, respectively) and BMI (r = – 0.99, p = 0.0007 and r = – 0.9, p = 0.016, respectively). Furthermore, changes in UCP3L mRNA expression and UCP3 protein content induced by the diet were positively correlated with changes in cytosolic fatty acid-binding protein content (r = 0.93, p = 0.023 and r = 0.84, p = 0.039, respectively). No correlation between diet-induced changes in UCP3 protein and resting energy expenditure or plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were found.¶Conclusion/interpretation. The negative correlation between the change in UCP3 protein content after weight loss and the change in BMI, suggests that the decrease in UCP3 during weight loss could prevent further weight loss. The finding that the change in UCP3 protein content correlates with the change in skeletal muscle fatty acid-binding protein content, suggests a role for UCPs in the handling of lipids as a fuel. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 1408–1416]     

钒酸盐对糖尿病大鼠骨骼肌GLUT4基因表达的影响

观察钒酸欠对ＳＴＺ糖尿病大鼠糖代谢的影响地这一作用产生的机理进行了探讨。以０．５ｍｇ／ｍｌ钒酸钠溶液作为饮用水治疗三周后，糖尿病治疗组的血糖低于非治疗组３７．５％，但仍较正常组高。而骨骼肌中ＧＬＵＴ４ｍＲＮＡ含量较非治疗组高７３．８％，但仍代于正常组。     

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。     

Glucose rapidly decreases plasma membrane GLUT4 content in rat skeletal muscle

We have previously demonstrated that chronic hyperglycemia per se decreases GLUT4 glucose transporter expression and plasma membrane content in mildly streptozotocin- (STZ) diabetic rats (Biochem. J. 284, 341-348, 1992). In the present study, we investigated the effect of an acute rise in glycemia on muscle GLUT4 and GLUT1 protein contents in the plasma membrane, in the absence of insulin elevation. Four experimental groups of rats were analyzed in the postabsorptive state: 1. Control rats. 2. Hyperglycemic STZ-diabetic rats with moderately reduced fasting insulin levels. 3. STZ-diabetic rats made normoglycemic with phlorizin treatment. 4. Phlorizin-treated (normoglycemic) STZ-diabetic rats infused with glucose for 40 min. The uniqueness of the latter model is that glycemia can be rapidly raised without any concomitant increase in plasma insulin levels. Plasma membranes were isolated from hindlimb muscle and GLUT1 and GLUT4 proteins amounts determined by Western blot analysis. As predicted, STZ-diabetes caused a significant decrease in the abundance of GLUT4 in the isolated plasma membranes. Normalization of glycemia for 3 d with phlorizin treatment restored plasma membrane GLUT4 content in muscle of STZ-diabetic rats. A sudden rise in glycemia over a period of 40 min caused the GLUT4 levels in the plasma membrane fraction to decrease to those of nontreated STZ-diabetic rats. In contrast to the GLUT4 transporter, plasma membrane GLUT1 abundance was not changed by the acute glucose challenge. It is concluded that glucose can have regulatory effect by acutely reducing plasma membrane GLUT4 protein contents in rat skeletal muscle. We hypothesize that this glucose-induced downregulation of plasma membrane GLUT4 could represent a protective mechanism against excessive glucose uptake under hyperglycemic conditions accompanied by insulin resistance.     

Low-intensity exercise increases skeletal muscle protein expression of PPARdelta and UCP3 in type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise provides health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, partly by enhancing skeletal muscle insulin action. We tested the hypothesis that changes in expression of key genes in skeletal muscles relate to exercise-induced improvements in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: We determined mRNA expression of 20 selected genes following a self-supervised program of walking (> 150 min per week) over a 4-month period. RESULTS: This level of physical activity improved clinical parameters in approximately half the participants, as determined by reduced hypertension and enhanced insulin sensitivity (defined by reduced plasma-insulin levels and improved homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)). Skeletal muscle mRNA expression of Cbl-associated protein (CAP), diacylglycerol kinase (DGK)delta, uncoupling protein (UCP) 3, nuclear respiratory factor (NRF)-1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)delta tended to increase in type 2 diabetic patients with an improved clinical profile. Skeletal muscle protein expression of PPARdelta and UCP3 was increased significantly after physical exercise in patients with an improved clinical profile, but were unchanged in patients who did not show exercise-mediated improvements in clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides clinical evidence that improvements in insulin sensitivity can be achieved in type 2 diabetic patients after individually executed low-intensity exercise training. Moreover, the positive clinical response to exercise is correlated with changes in skeletal muscle proteins involved in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism. These changes in skeletal muscle gene expression offer a possible molecular explanation for the improvements in clinical outcomes.     

Developmental programming of adult hyperinsulinemia, increased proinflammatory cytokine production, and altered skeletal muscle expression of SLC2A4 (GLUT4) and uncoupling protein 3

Fetal glucocorticoid excess programs detrimental effects in the adult phenotype including hyperleptinemia and aberrant glycemic control. In this study, we determined the interactive effects of maternal dexamethasone (Dex) treatment and postnatal dietary omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids on adult proinflammatory cytokine production and skeletal muscle expression of genes central to glucose handling and fatty acid metabolism. Dex acetate was administered to pregnant rats (0.75 microg/ml drinking water) from day 13 to term. Offspring of treated and control mothers were cross-fostered to mothers on either a standard (Std) or high n-3 (Hn3) diet, and remained on these diets postweaning. Adult offspring exposed to Dex in utero exhibited fasting hyperinsulinemia when raised on the Std diet but not when raised on the Hn3 diet. Dex also programmed increased plasma tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), but the increase in IL-1 beta was also prevented by the Hn3 diet. In skeletal muscle, expression of insulin regulated Slc2a4 (formerly known as GLUT4) was elevated (up to 15-fold) after Dex in utero, and this resulted in elevated intracellular, but not membrane-associated, SLC2A4 protein. Fetal glucocorticoid excess also reduced adult skeletal muscle Ucp3 expression in all offspring, whereas skeletal muscle expression of both Ppard and Ppargc1a were increased in females but not males. In conclusion, our data show that fetal glucocorticoid excess programs adult hyperinsulinemia and increased proinflammatory cytokine production. Related changes in the skeletal muscle Slc2a4, Ucp3, and Ppard indicate that fetal glucocorticoid excess disturbs adult glucose/fatty acid transport and metabolism.     

Altered GLUT1 and GLUT3 gene expression and subcellular redistribution of GLUT4: protein in muscle from patients with acanthosis nigricans and severe insulin resistance.

Multiple isoforms of glucose transporters are found in muscle, the tissue that normally accounts for 85% of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Glucose uptake into muscle cells in the fasting state is mediated primarily by GLUT1 and GLUT3 glucose transporters, whereas postprandial (insulin-stimulated) and exercise-related increments in muscle glucose uptake are mediated primarily by GLUT4. To determine if glucose transporters are abnormally expressed in muscle from insulin-resistant subjects, muscle samples were obtained from 10 normal subjects and 6 obese, nondiabetic subjects with severe insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Both GLUT4 total protein and mRNA were normal in the insulin-resistant subjects. Muscle GLUT3 protein and mRNA were lower than controls by 62% and 71%, respectively. GLUT1 mRNA was twice normal, whereas GLUT1 protein content was not significantly increased. GLUT4 protein was markedly redistributed to the muscle plasma membrane in subjects with severe insulin resistance compared with normals (92% v 40% GLUT4 in plasma membrane-enriched fractions, P <.001), whereas the percentage of GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein found in the plasma membrane-enriched fractions was not different from controls. These data document differences in the expression of genes for GLUT1 and GLUT3 in muscle from normal and insulin-resistant subjects. Further, insulin resistance with fasting hyperinsulinemia was associated with a redistribution of GLUT4 to the muscle cell surface with no change in total GLUT4 protein. These data suggest that glucose transporter gene expression and their basal distribution in human muscle are related to insulin resistance and could be determinants of whole body insulin responsiveness.     

Developmental regulation of GLUT-1 (erythroid/Hep G2) and GLUT-4 (muscle/fat) glucose transporter expression in rat heart, skeletal muscle, and brown adipose tissue.

The expression of GLUT-1 (erythroid/Hep G2) and GLUT-4 (muscle/fat) glucose transporters was assessed during development in rat heart, skeletal muscle, and brown adipose tissue. GLUT-4 protein expression was detectable in fetal heart by day 21 of pregnancy; it increased progressively after birth, attaining levels close to those of adults at day 15 post natal. In contrast, GLUT-4 messenger RNA (mRNA) was already present in hearts from 17 day-old fetuses. GLUT-4 mRNA stayed low during early postnatal life in heart and brown adipose tissue and only increased after day 10 post natal. The expression pattern for GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle during development was comparable to that observed in heart. In contrast to heart and skeletal muscle, GLUT-4 protein in brown adipose tissue was detected in high levels (30% of adult) during late fetal life. During fetal life, GLUT-1 presented a very high expression level in brown adipose tissue, heart, and skeletal muscle. Soon after birth, GLUT-1 protein diminished progressively, attaining adult levels at day 10 in heart and skeletal muscle. GLUT-1 mRNA levels in heart followed a similar pattern to the GLUT-1 protein, being very high during fetal life and decreasing early in post natal life. GLUT-1 protein showed a complex pattern in brown adipose tissue: fetal levels were high, decreased after birth, and increased subsequently in post natal life, reaching a peak by day 9. Progesterone-induced postmaturity protected against the decrease in GLUT-1 protein associated with post natal life in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. However, GLUT-4 induction was not blocked by postmaturity in any of the tissues subjected to study. These results indicate that: 1) during fetal and early post natal life, GLUT-1 is a predominant glucose transporter isotype expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and brown adipose tissue; 2) during early post natal life there is a generalized GLUT-1 repression; 3) during development, there is a close correlation between protein and mRNA levels for GLUT-1, and therefore regulation at a pretranslational level plays a major regulatory role; 4) the onset of GLUT-4 protein induction occurs between days 20-21 of fetal life; based on data obtained in rat heart and brown adipose tissue, there is a dissociation during development between mRNA and protein levels for GLUT-4, suggesting modifications at translational or posttranslational steps; and 5) postmaturity blocks the decrease in GLUT-1 expression but not the induction of GLUT-4, observed soon after birth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

间歇低氧对大鼠胰岛素抵抗及骨骼肌细胞GLUT4、Akt2的影响

目的 检测不同间歇低氧暴露时间对骨骼肌葡萄糖转运蛋白(GLUT)4与蛋白激酶B(PKB/Akt)2表达的影响,探讨二者在间歇低氧导致胰岛素抵抗中的作用.方法 选取健康雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠40只,按照随机数字表法分为5组:常氧对照组(NC组),间歇低氧2周组(IH2组),间歇低氧4周组(IH4组),间歇低氧6周组(IH6组),间歇低氧8周组(IH8组),每组8只.IH2组、IH4组、IH6组、IH8组每天给予8h间歇低氧暴露(9:00～17:00),NC组室内环境正常饲养.检测各组空腹血糖和空腹胰岛素水平,计算稳态模型评估-胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR).采用免疫组织化学法检测大鼠骨骼肌GLUT4及Akt2蛋白的表达,蛋白表达量用平均灰度值表示,并分析GLUT4与Akt2的相关性.结果 与NC组相比,IH2组、IH4组、IH6组、IH8组空腹血糖、HOMA-IR升高,骨骼肌GLUT4与Akt2灰度值升高,并且随间歇低氧暴露时间的延长而升高明显(F =87.67～288.63,P均＜0.05);与NC组相比,IH2组、IH4组、IH6组、IH8组空腹胰岛素升高,其中IH2组、IH4组、IH6组,随间歇低氧暴露时间的延长而升高明显,IH8组较IH6组下降(F=86.04,P＜0.01).Pearson相关分析显示GLUT4与Akt2的表达呈正相关(r=0.895,P ＜0.05).结论 随着间歇低氧暴露时间的延长胰岛素抵抗程度增加,GLUT4与Akt2蛋白表达水平下降,二者在间歇低氧导致胰岛素抵抗的过程中起协同作用.     

Effect of thyroid hormone on uncoupling protein-3 mRNA expression in rat heart and skeletal muscle.

Thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine [T4]) stimulate UCP-3 expression in skeletal muscle. We examined whether thyroid hormone-induced changes in uncoupling protein (UCP)-3 mRNA expression are related to directs effects of T3 or reflect secondary effects of the hormone through stimulation of renin-angiotensin or beta-adrenergic systems. Hyperthyroidism was produced by three injections of 100 microg T3/100 g body weight on alternate days with or without concomitant treatment with either captopril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitor), propranolol (a beta-blocker) or clenbuterol (a beta2-agonist). The relative abundance of UCP-3 mRNA was measured in ventricular myocardium and skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus). T3 resulted in a significant increase in the relative abundance of UCP-3 in heart and skeletal muscle (p < 0.05), and the effect was not altered by captopril or propanolol; the inhibitors alone had no effect of UCP-3 mRNA content. There was no synergistic or additive effect of T3 and clenbuterol on UCP-3 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. Increased UCP-3 mRNA levels were associated with increased UCP-3 protein expression in skeletal muscle. We conclude that the effect of T3 on UCP-3 expression in cardiac and skeletal muscle is not dependent on either angiotensin II or the beta-adrenergic system and probably reflects a direct action of the hormone on UCP-3 gene expression.