Abstract 015: Increased 20-HETE Levels Contribute to Impaired Glucose Metabolism and Type 2 Diabetes in Cyp4a14 Knockout Mice Fed on High Fat Diet.

Abstract

20-HETE (20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) is a cytochrome P450 ω-hydroxylase metabolite of arachidonic acid that promotes endothelial dysfunction, microvascular remodeling and hypertension. Previous studies have shown that urinary 20-HETE levels correlate with BMI and plasma insulin levels. However, there is no direct evidence for the role of 20-HETE in the regulation of glucose metabolism, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study we examined the effect of 20-SOLA (2,5,8,11,14,17-hexaoxanonadecan-19-yl-20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoate), a water-soluble 20-HETE antagonist, on blood pressure, weight gain and blood glucose in Cyp4a14 knockout (Cyp4a14-/-) mice fed high-fat diet (HFD). The Cyp4a14-/- male mice exhibit high vascular 20-HETE levels and display 20-HETE-dependent hypertension. There was no difference in weight gain and fasting blood glucose between Cyp4a14-/- and wild type (WT) on regular chow. When subjected to HFD for 15 weeks, a significant increase in weight was observed in Cyp4a14-/- as compared to WT mice (56.5±3.45 vs. 30.2±0.7g, p<0.05). Administration of 20-SOLA (10mg/kg/day in drinking water) significantly attenuated the weight gain (28.7±1.47g, p<0.05) and normalized blood pressure in Cyp4a14-/- mice on HFD (116±0.3 vs. 172.7±4.6mmHg, p<0.05). HFD fed Cyp4a14-/- mice exhibited hyperglycemia as opposed to normal glucose levels in WT on a HFD (154±1.9 vs. 96.3±3.0 mg/dL, p<0.05). 20-SOLA prevented the HFD-induced hyperglycemia in Cyp4a14-/- mice (91±8mg/dL, p<0.05). Plasma insulin levels were markedly high in Cyp4a14-/- mice vs. WT on HFD (2.66±0.7 vs. 0.58±0.18ng/mL, p<0.05); corrected by the treatment with 20-SOLA (0.69±0.09 ng/mL, p<0.05). Importantly, glucose and insulin tolerance tests showed impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in Cyp4a14-/- mice on HFD; ameliorated by treatment with 20-SOLA. This novel finding that blockade of 20-HETE actions by 20-SOLA prevents HFD-induced obesity and restores glucose homeostasis in Cyp4a14-/- mice suggests that 20-HETE contributes to obesity, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in HFD induced metabolic disorder. The molecular mechanisms underlying 20-HETE mediated metabolic dysfunction are being currently explored.