AMP-activated Protein Kinase In HepG2 Cells Research Articles

8-Prenylgenistein Isoflavone in Cheonggukjang Acts as a Novel AMPK Activator Attenuating Hepatic Steatosis by Enhancing the SIRT1-Mediated Pathway.

8-Prenylgenistein (8PG), a genistein derivative, is present in fermented soybeans (Glycine max), including cheonggukjang (CGJ), and exhibits osteoprotective, osteogenic, and antiadipogenic properties. However, the hepatoprotective effects of 8PG and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, we identified the high binding affinity of 8PG with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which acts as a potent AMPK activator that counteracts hepatic steatosis. Notably, 8PG exhibited better pharmacokinetics with greater absorption and higher plasma binding than the positive controls for the target proteins. Moreover, 8PG exerted non-carcinogenic activity in rats and significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, did not antagonize 8PG-activated AMPK in HepG2 cells. 8PG significantly attenuated palmitate-induced lipid accumulation and enhanced phosphorylated AMPK and its downstream target, acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Further, 8PG activated nuclear SIRT1 at the protein level, which promoted fatty acid oxidation in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. Overall, 8PG acts as a potent AMPK activator, further attenuating hepatic steatosis via the SIRT1-mediated pathway and providing new avenues for dietary interventions to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

HM-chromanone suppresses hepatic glucose production via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in HepG2 cell

We investigated whether (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone (HM-chromanone) could suppress the transcription factors expression and enzymes involved in glucose production by activating AMPK in hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were treated with a medium containing HM-chromanone (5–100 μM), compound C (10 μM) and insulin (100 nM). Glucose production and glycogen synthesis assay were determined using a glucose assay kit and glycogen assay kit, respectively. Activities of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), PPAR coactivator-1α (PGC1α), CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 2 (CRTC2), Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3β), Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glycogen synthase (GS), Glucose 6-phosphatase (G6pase) and β-actin were determined by Western blot analysis. HM-chromanone significantly inhibited hepatic glucose production and increased glycogen synthesis by activating glycogen synthase. HM-chromanone induced the phosphorylation of CRTC2 and GSK-3β by phosphorylating AMPK in HepG2 cells, which was confirmed by compound C. Furthermore, it significantly decreased the phosphorylation of CREB in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and the effect was reversed in the presence of compound C. Therefore, the complex formation of CRTC2 and CREB was inhibited. HM-chromanone inhibited the expression of PGC-1α, PEPCK, and G6Pase genes involved in production of hepatic glucose. The results showed that HM-chromanone activates AMPK in a time and concentration dependent manner, thus suppressing hepatic glucose production and increasing glycogen synthesis in HepG2 cells.

Hypolipogenic Effect of Shikimic Acid Via Inhibition of MID1IP1 and Phosphorylation of AMPK/ACC.

Although shikimic acid from Illicium verum has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, the effect of shikimic acid on lipogenesis has not yet been explored. Thus, in the present study, hypolipogenic mechanism of shikimic acid was examined in HepG2, Huh7 and 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. Shikimic acid showed weak cytotoxicity in HepG2, Huh7 and 3T3-L1 cells, but suppressed lipid accumulation in HepG2, Huh7 and 3T3-L1 cells by Oil Red O staining. Also, shikimic acid attenuated the mRNA expression of de novo lipogenesis related genes such as FAS, SREBP-1c, and LXR-α in HepG2 cells by RT-PCR analysis and suppressed the protein expression of SREBP-1c and LXR-α in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. It should be noted that shikimic acid activated phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Aacetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and reduced the expression of MID1 Interacting Protein 1 (MID1IP1) in HepG2, Huh7 and 3T3-L1 cells. Conversely, depletion of MID1IP1 activated phosphorylation of AMPK, while overexpression of MID1IP1 suppressed phosphorylation of AMPK in HepG2 cells. However, AMPK inhibitor compound c did not affect the expression of MID1IP1, indicating MID1IP1 as an upstream of AMPK. Taken together, our findings suggest that shikimic acid has hypolipogenic effect in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells via phosphorylation of AMPK/ACC and inhibition of MID1IP1 as a potent candidate for prevention or treatment of fatty liver and hyperlipidemia.

Paradoxical Effects of Emodin on ANIT-Induced Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Herb-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice.

Emodin is an active ingredient in many herbal medicines and has a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. The current data indicate that emodin exerts its beneficial effect on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Emodin has little effect on the concentrations of bile acids (BAs) in livers of ANIT-treated mice. Instead, emodin shows a potential pro-cholestatic effect by interfering with the crosstalk between AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) in the liver, which leads to a suppression of bile salt export pump (Bsep). Two emodin-containing herbs, namely Polygonum multiflorum (PM) and Semen cassiae (SC), markedly aggravate the intrahepatic cholestasis in ANIT-treated mice. SC interferes with the AMPK-Fxr crosstalk and suppresses Bsep in livers of mice. ANIT markedly increases the hepatic retention of emodin in SC-treated mice. The major SC constituents, in particular three anthraquinones, are able to activate AMPK in HepG2 cells and inhibit Bsep in primary mouse hepatocytes, with emodin showing the strongest activities. Together, the present study identifies a potential pro-cholestatic role of emodin in the hepatotoxicity of herbs.

The effects of troglitazone on AMPK in HepG2 cells

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme crucial in cellular metabolism found to be inhibited in many metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a class of anti-diabetic drug known to activate AMPK through increased phosphorylation at Thr172, however there has been no research to date on whether they have any effect on inhibition of AMPK's lesser known site of inhibition, Ser485/491. HepG2 cells were treated with troglitazone and phosphorylation of AMPK was found to increase at both Thr172 and Ser485 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of HepG2 cells with insulin and PMA led to increases in p-AMPK Ser485 via Akt and PKD1 respectively; however these kinases were not found to be implicated in increases seen from troglitazone. Incubation with the other TZDs, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, let to a minor increase in p-AMPK Ser485 phosphorylation as well as AMPK activity; however these findings were significantly less than those of troglitazone under equal conditions. These data suggest that the effects of troglitazone on AMPK are more complex than previously thought. Phosphorylation at sites of both activation and inhibition can occur in tandem, although the mechanism by which this occurs has not yet been elucidated.

Unsaponifiable Matter from Rice Bran Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Lipid Accumulation by Activating AMPK in HepG2 Cells

Rice bran, a major by-product of rice milling, has a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, the effects of rice bran unsaponifiable matter (USM) on hepatic lipid metabolism remain unclear. In this study, the effects of rice bran USM in the prevention of high glucose-induced lipid accumulation and its putative mechanism in HepG2 cells were investigated. USM significantly inhibited high glucose-induced lipid accumulation and suppressed fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c expression in HepG2 cells. It also increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase. Moreover, a specific inhibitor of AMPK attenuated the effects of USM on lipid accumulation. These results demonstrate that rice bran USM prevents hepatic lipid accumulation via an AMPK-dependent signaling pathway and provides a promising approach for novel lipid-lowering therapies. Practical Application Rice bran is known to be rich in phytosterols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and γ-oryzanol, all of which have health benefits. In recent years, the recognition of the health benefits of rice bran has resulted in its increased use in a range of food products, which far exceeds its usage as a dietary supplement. This study provides biological evidence that supports the use of rice bran unsaponifiable matter in the prevention of hepatic lipid accumulation.

Cocoa flavonoids improve insulin signalling and modulate glucose production via AKT and AMPK in HepG2 cells

Cocoa and (-)-epicatechin (EC), a main cocoa flavanol, have been suggested to exert beneficial effects in diabetes, but the mechanism for their insulin-like effects remains unknown. In this study, the modulation of insulin signalling by EC and a cocoa phenolic extract (CPE) on hepatic HepG2 cells was investigated by analysing key proteins of the insulin pathways, namely insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and 2, PI3K/AKT and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as well as the levels of the glucose transporter GLUT-2 and the hepatic glucose production. EC and CPE enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation and total insulin receptor, IRS-1 and IRS-2 levels and activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and AMPK in HepG2 cells. CPE also enhanced the levels of GLUT-2. Interestingly, EC and CPE modulated the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a key protein involved in the gluconeogenesis, leading to a diminished glucose production. In addition, EC- and CPE-regulated hepatic gluconeogenesis was prevented by the blockage of AKT and AMPK. Our data suggest that EC and CPE strengthen the insulin signalling by activating key proteins of that pathway and regulating glucose production through AKT and AMPK modulation in HepG2 cells.

The adenosine derivative 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxylaniline) adenosine activates AMPK and regulates lipid metabolism in vitro and in vivo

Aims Our overall objective was to investigate the effect of the adenosine derivative 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxylaniline) adenosine (WS010117) on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and lipid metabolism and to also assess the underlying mechanisms involved in these processes. Main methods HepG2 cells and hamsters fed a high-fat diet were used to test the effects of WS010117 on lipid metabolism. Western blots, chemical intervention, HPLC, SAMS peptide assay, 14C-labelled acetate and palmitate assays, molecular docking assay and siRNA targeting the AMPK γ1 subunit were used to investigate the effect of WS010117 on AMPK activation as well as the underlying mechanism involved in this activation. Key findings WS010117 treatment resulted in the dose-dependent activation of AMPK in HepG2 cells, increasing lipid oxidation and decreasing lipid biosynthesis. In hamsters that were fed a high-fat diet, WS010117 treatment (1.5–6 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the increase in lipid accumulation. WS010117-induced AMPK activation was essentially abolished by treatment with compound C, and the addition of WS010117 did not alter the intracellular AMP:ATP ratio. In HeLa cells endogenously lacking LKB1, WS010117-mediated AMPK activation was not impaired, even following co-treatment with STO-609, a selective inhibitor of Ca 2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK). The results from the molecular docking assays and experiments targeting the AMPK γ1 subunit with siRNA indicated that WS010117 may activate AMPK by binding to and regulating the γ subunit of AMPK. Significance Our data indicate that WS010117 can regulate lipid metabolism through the activation of AMPK. WS010117 may activate AMPK by binding to and regulating the AMPK γ subunit.

Effects of Alpha-lipoic Acid on SREBP-1c Expression in HepG2 Cells

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is common in patients with insulin resistance. Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) is a member of a family of transcription factors that have been recognized as key regulators for lipid accumulation in the liver that activate enzymes involved in the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. This study was designed to evaluate whether alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) inhibits insulin-stimulated SREBP-1c expression. Methods: We investigated the effects of ALA on insulin-stimulated SREBP-1c expression in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2 cells) using Northern and Western blot analysis. We also examined the effect of ALA on the promoter activity of the SREBP-1c gene to examine whether ALA can affect SREBP-1c expression at the transcriptional level. To discern the mechanism by which ALA inhibits SREBP-1c expression, we examined the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Results: Insulin increased the expression of SREBP-1c mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells in a dose depended manner. Co-treatment with ALA inhibited the insulin increased SREBP-1c expression in a dose-dependent manner. ALA also inhibited insulin-stimulated activation of the SREBP-1c promoter activity, indicating that ALA inhibited SREBP-1c expression at the transcriptional level. ALA increased phosphorylation of AMPK in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of the AMPK activity by compound C markedly reversed the inhibitory effects of ALA for insulin-stimulated SREBP-1c expression. These results suggest that ALA-induced suppression of SREBP-1c expression is at least in part mediated via AMPK activation. Conclusion: The present study suggests that ALA has an inhibitory effect on insulin-stimulated SREBP-1c expression. Therefore, further studies on the effects of ALA on hepatic steatosis in an animal model need to be performed. (J Kor Endocr Soc 23:27~34, 2008)