Stimulation of fat accumulation in hepatocytes by PGE2-dependent repression of hepatic lipolysis, β-oxidation and VLDL-synthesis

Abstract

Hepatic steatosis is recognized as hepatic presentation of the metabolic syndrome. Hyperinsulinaemia, which shifts fatty acid oxidation to de novo lipogenesis and lipid storage in the liver, appears to be a principal elicitor particularly in the early stages of disease development. The impact of PGE2, which has previously been shown to attenuate insulin signaling and hence might reduce insulin-dependent lipid accumulation, on insulin-induced steatosis of hepatocytes was studied. The PGE2-generating capacity was enhanced in various obese mouse models by the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 and microsomal prostaglandin E-synthases (mPGES1, mPGES2). PGE2 attenuated the insulin-dependent induction of SREBP-1c and its target genes glucokinase and fatty acid synthase. Nevertheless, PGE2 enhanced incorporation of glucose into hepatic triglycerides synergistically with insulin. This was most likely due to a combination of a PGE2-dependent repression of (1) the key lipolytic enzyme adipose triglyceride lipase, (2) carnitine–palmitoyltransferase 1, a key regulator of mitochondrial β-oxidation, and (3) microsomal transfer protein, as well as (4) apolipoprotein B, key components of the VLDL synthesis. Repression of PGC1α, a common upstream regulator of these genes, was identified as a possible cause. In support of this hypothesis, overexpression of PGC1α completely blunted the PGE2-dependent fat accumulation. PGE2 enhanced lipid accumulation synergistically with insulin, despite attenuating insulin signaling and might thus contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. Induction of enzymes involved in PGE2 synthesis in in vivo models of obesity imply a potential role of prostanoids in the development of NAFLD and NASH.