Glucose Output In Hepatocytes Research Articles

Aqueous extract of Scrophularia ningpoensis improves insulin sensitivity through AMPK-mediated inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome

BackgroundScrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. is a commonly used medicinal plant in China for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), but its mechanism of action remains poorly described. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for > 90% of all DM cases and is characterized by insulin resistance. PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the insulin sensitivity can be improved by treatment with aqueous extract of S. ningpoensis (AESN) and further explore its mechanism(s) of activity. MethodsPrimary mouse hepatocytes and human HepG2 hepatocytes were used to investigate the effects of AESN on cell viability, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and glucose output under normal culture conditions. To mimic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in vitro, hepatocytes were exposed to high glucose (HG), and the influences of AESN on AMPK phosphorylation, NLRP3 inflammation activation, insulin signaling, lipid accumulation and glucose output were investigated. Increasing doses of AESN (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) were administered by gavage to db/db mice for 8 weeks, and then biochemical analysis and histopathological examinations were performed. ResultsAESN significantly activated AMPK and inhibited glucose output in hepatocytes, but did not impact cell viability under normal culture conditions. Moreover, in HG-treated hepatocytes, AESN protected against aberrant AMPK activity, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, insulin signaling, and lipid accumulation. AMPK inhibition abolished the regulatory effects of AESN on the NLRP3 inflammasome, insulin signaling, lipid accumulation, and glucose output of hepatocytes following HG exposure. Furthermore, AESN administration reduced blood glucose and serum insulin levels, improved lipid profiles and insulin resistance, and corrected the aberrant AMPK activity and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in liver tissues. ConclusionAESN improves insulin sensitivity via AMPK-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition.

679-P: The Novel GIP, GLP-1, and Glucagon Triple Receptor Agonist LY3437943 Exhibits Robust Efficacy in Preclinical Models of Obesity and Diabetes

The ever-growing prevalence of obesity and its associated comorbidities (T2D, NASH/NAFLD) is driving the need to discover new therapies for improving metabolic health. Recently, multi-receptor agonists have offered promise for meeting this need. Here, we characterize LY3437943, a novel single agent tri-agonist at the GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon (Gcg) receptors (R). Pharmacologic analysis of LY3437943 in cAMP assays using recombinant cell lines expressing the individual receptors indicated a potency balance favoring GIPR agonism (1.7- and 2.5-fold less potent at the GLP-1R and GcgR, respectively, but 7-fold more potent at the GIPR; all potencies in relation to the native ligands). In endogenous cells, LY3437943 regulated adipocyte lipolysis and hepatocyte glucose output. In vivo studies demonstrated regulation of multiple metabolic endpoints. Acute treatment with LY3437943 dose-dependently inhibited semi-liquid gastric emptying in mice and enhanced glucose dependent insulin secretion in rat IVGTT experiments. Chronic studies in diet induced obese mice reduced food intake and body weight (45% weight loss primarily via reduced fat mass) superior to other GIPR and GLP-1R agonists. In these experiments, LY3437943 lowered blood glucose and plasma insulin, indicating improved insulin sensitivity. Additionally, chronic administration improved biomarkers of liver health, decreasing both plasma alanine aminotransferase and liver triglycerides. Rodent and cynomolgus monkey PK modeling also suggested the potential for weekly dosing in humans. Taken these findings together, LY3437943 is a novel tri-agonist at the GIPR, GLP-1R, and GcgR, producing superior weight loss and glycemic control compared with other incretin receptor-targeting molecules and offers additional benefit for liver health. These findings prompt evaluation of the potential clinical benefit of LY3437943 in patients with obesity and metabolic diseases. Disclosure T. Coskun: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. F. S. Willard: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. J. V. Ficorilli: None. O. Cabrera: None. S. Urva: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. F. Norouziyan cooper: None. L. Guo: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. J. Alsina-fernandez: None. H. Qu: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. J. S. Moyers: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. W. C. Roell: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. L. O’farrell: None. A. Regmi: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. X. Ruan: None. A. D. Showalter: None. K. Sloop: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. D. B. Wainscott: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Employee; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company, Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Stock/Shareholder; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company. Funding Eli Lilly and Company

Development of an in vitro human liver system for interrogating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

A barrier to drug development for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the absence of translational preclinical human-relevant systems. An in vitro liver model was engineered to incorporate hepatic sinusoidal flow, transport, and lipotoxic stress risk factors (glucose, insulin, free fatty acids) with cocultured primary human hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and macrophages. Transcriptomic, lipidomic, and functional endpoints were evaluated and compared with clinical data from NASH patient biopsies. The lipotoxic milieu promoted hepatocyte lipid accumulation (4-fold increase, P < 0.01) and a lipidomics signature similar to NASH biopsies. Hepatocyte glucose output increased with decreased insulin sensitivity. These changes were accompanied by increased inflammatory analyte secretion (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, alanine aminotransferase). Fibrogenic activation markers increased with lipotoxic conditions, including secreted TGF-β (>5-fold increase, P < 0.05), extracellular matrix gene expression, and HSC activation. Significant pathway correlation existed between this in vitro model and human biopsies. Consistent with clinical trial data, 0.5 μM obeticholic acid in this model promoted a healthy lipidomic signature, reduced inflammatory and fibrotic secreted factors, but also increased ApoB secretion, suggesting a potential adverse effect on lipoprotein metabolism. Lipotoxic stress activates similar biological signatures observed in NASH patients in this system, which may be relevant for interrogating novel therapeutic approaches to treat NASH.

A novel adipokine C1q/TNF-related protein 3 is expressed in developing skeletal muscle and controls myoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Several hormones and growth factors, including adipokines, play important roles during muscle development and regeneration. CTRP3, a paralog of adiponectin, is a member of the C1q and tumor necrosis factor-related protein (CTRP) superfamily. CTRP3 is a novel adipokine previously reported to reduce glucose output in hepatocytes and lower glucose levels in mice models. In the present study, we provide the first evidence for a physiological role of the CTRP3 in myogenesis using C2C12 myoblasts. CTRP3 was expressed in developing skeletal muscle tissues, and the expression level of CTRP3 was increased during myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Recombinant CTRP3 (rCTRP3) promoted the proliferation of undifferentiated C2C12 myoblasts and this response required activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway. In contrary, rCTRP3 inhibited myogenic differentiation and fusion of C2C12 cells by suppressing the expression of myogenic marker genes (myogenin and myosin heavy chain). CTRP3 mRNA expression was increased in C2C12 myoblasts treated with transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3), suggesting that TGF-β3 is one of the extracellular factors regulating CTRP3 expression during myogenesis. These results indicate a novel physiological role for CTRP3 during skeletal myogenesis.

Intermittent Hypoxia Impairs Glucose Homeostasis in C57BL6/J Mice: Partial Improvement with Cessation of the Exposure

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although several studies have suggested that intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea may induce abnormalities in glucose homeostasis, it remains to be determined whether these abnormalities improve after discontinuation of the exposure. The objective of this study was to delineate the effects of intermittent hypoxia on glucose homeostasis, beta cell function, and liver glucose metabolism and to investigate whether the impairments improve after the hypoxic exposure is discontinued. C57BL6/J mice were exposed to 14 days of intermittent hypoxia, 14 days of intermittent air, or 7 days of intermittent hypoxia followed by 7 days of intermittent air (recovery paradigm). Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed to estimate whole-body insulin sensitivity and calculate measures of beta cell function. Oxidative stress in pancreatic tissue and glucose output from isolated hepatocytes were also assessed. Intermittent hypoxia increased fasting glucose levels and worsened glucose tolerance by 67% and 27%, respectively. Furthermore, intermittent hypoxia exposure was associated with impairments in insulin sensitivity and beta cell function, an increase in liver glycogen, higher hepatocyte glucose output, and an increase in oxidative stress in the pancreas. While fasting glucose levels and hepatic glucose output normalized after discontinuation of the hypoxic exposure, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and impairments in beta cell function persisted. Intermittent hypoxia induces insulin resistance, impairs beta cell function, enhances hepatocyte glucose output, and increases oxidative stress in the pancreas. Cessation of the hypoxic exposure does not fully reverse the observed changes in glucose metabolism.

Aquaporin-9 Protein Is the Primary Route of Hepatocyte Glycerol Uptake for Glycerol Gluconeogenesis in Mice

It has been hypothesized that aquaporin-9 (AQP9) is part of the unknown route of hepatocyte glycerol uptake. In a previous study, leptin receptor-deficient wild-type mice became diabetic and suffered from fasting hyperglycemia whereas isogenic AQP9(-/-) knock-out mice remained normoglycemic. The reason for this improvement in AQP9(-/-) mice was not established before. Here, we show increased glucose output (by 123% ± 36% S.E.) in primary hepatocyte culture when 0.5 mM extracellular glycerol was added. This increase depended on AQP9 because it was absent in AQP9(-/-) cells. Likewise, the increase was abolished by 25 μM HTS13286 (IC(50) ~ 2 μM), a novel AQP9 inhibitor, which we identified in a small molecule library screen. Similarly, AQP9 deletion or chemical inhibition eliminated glycerol-enhanced glucose output in perfused liver preparations. The following control experiments suggested inhibitor specificity to AQP9: (i) HTS13286 affected solute permeability in cell lines expressing AQP9, but not in cell lines expressing AQPs 3, 7, or 8. (ii) HTS13286 did not influence lactate- and pyruvate-dependent hepatocyte glucose output. (iii) HTS13286 did not affect glycerol kinase activity. Our experiments establish AQP9 as the primary route of hepatocyte glycerol uptake for gluconeogenesis and thereby explain the previously observed, alleviated diabetes in leptin receptor-deficient AQP9(-/-) mice.

Metabolic Regulation by C1q/TNF-related Protein-13 (CTRP13): ACTIVATION OF AMP-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE AND SUPPRESSION OF FATTY ACID-INDUCED JNK SIGNALING

Members of the C1q/TNF family play important and diverse roles in the immune, endocrine, skeletal, vascular, and sensory systems. Here, we identify and characterize CTRP13, a new and extremely conserved member of the C1q/TNF family. CTRP13 is preferentially expressed by adipose tissue and the brain in mice and predominantly by adipose tissue in humans. Within mouse adipose tissue, CTRP13 is largely expressed by cells of the stromal vascular compartment. Due to sexually dimorphic expression patterns, female mice have higher transcript and circulating CTRP13 levels than males. CTRP13 transcript and circulating levels are elevated in obese male mice, suggesting a potential role in energy metabolism. The insulin-sensitizing drug rosiglitazone also increases the expression of CTRP13 in adipocytes, which correlates with the insulin-sensitizing action of CTRP13. In a heterologous expression system, CTRP13 is secreted as a disulfide-linked oligomeric protein. When co-expressed, CTRP13 forms heteromeric complexes with a closely related family member, CTRP10. This heteromeric association does not involve conserved N-terminal Cys residues. Functional studies using purified recombinant protein demonstrated that CTRP13 is an adipokine that promotes glucose uptake in adipocytes, myotubes, and hepatocytes via activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. CTRP13 also ameliorates lipid-induced insulin resistance in hepatocytes through suppression of the SAPK/JNK stress signaling that impairs the insulin signaling pathway. Further, CTRP13 reduces glucose output in hepatocytes by inhibiting the mRNA expression of gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. These results provide the first functional characterization of CTRP13 and establish its importance in glucose homeostasis.

C1q/TNF-related Protein-3 (CTRP3), a Novel Adipokine That Regulates Hepatic Glucose Output

Adipose tissue-derived adipokines play important roles in controlling systemic insulin sensitivity and energy balance. Our recent efforts to identify novel metabolic mediators produced by adipose tissue have led to the discovery of a highly conserved family of secreted proteins, designated as C1q/TNF-related proteins 1-10 (CTRP1 to -10). However, physiological functions regulated by CTRPs are largely unknown. Here we provide the first in vivo functional characterization of CTRP3. We show that circulating levels of CTRP3 are inversely correlated with leptin levels; CTRP3 increases with fasting, decreases in diet-induced obese mice with high leptin levels, and increases in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. A modest 3-fold elevation of plasma CTRP3 levels by recombinant protein administration is sufficient to lower glucose levels in normal and insulin-resistant ob/ob mice, without altering insulin or adiponectin levels. The glucose-lowering effect in mice is linked to activation of the Akt signaling pathway in liver and a marked suppression of hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression. Consistent with its effects in mice, CTRP3 acts directly and independently of insulin to regulate gluconeogenesis in cultured hepatocytes. In humans, alternative splicing generates two circulating CTRP3 isoforms differing in size and glycosylation pattern. The two human proteins form hetero-oligomers, an association that does not require interdisulfide bond formation and appears to protect the longer isoform from proteolytic cleavage. Recombinant human CTRP3 also reduces glucose output in hepatocytes by suppressing gluconeogenic enzyme expression. This study provides the first functional evidence linking CTRP3 to hepatic glucose metabolism and establishes CTRP3 as a novel adipokine.

Hepatocyte nitric oxide biosynthesis inhibits glucose output and competes with urea synthesis for L-arginine.

Inflammatory stimulation of the liver is known to induce nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis. NO can interfere with the activity of a number of enzymes important to cellular metabolism. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of NO on rat hepatocyte glucose output and urea production. Induction of NO synthesis by incubation with a combination of cytokines and lipopolysaccharide led to a 48.8 +/- 2.4% inhibition of glucose output and to a 45.0 +/- 6.4% suppression of urea production. Inhibition of NO synthesis with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine was able to totally prevent these effects. High concentrations of L-arginine overcame the inhibition of urea production caused by endogenous NO synthesis. Exposure of HC to NO donors resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of glucose output, without having any effect on urea production. Hepatocellular glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity was also found to be inhibited by endogenously produced NO (33.5 +/- 5.2%), as well as by exogenously applied NO. However, an exact correlation between GAPDH activity and glucose output could not be established. These data indicate that NO biosynthesis may contribute to the development of hepatic dysfunction in chronic sepsis.

Inhibition by PGE 2 of glucagon-induced increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA and acceleration of mRNA degradation in cultured rat hepatocytes

In cultured rat hepatocytes the key gluconeogenic enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) is known to be induced by glucagon via an elevation of cAMP. Prostaglandin E 2 has been shown to antagonize the glucagon-activated cAMP formation, glycogen phosphorylase activity and glucose output in hepatocytes. It was the purpose of the current investigation to study the potential of PGE 2 to inhibit the glucagon-induced expression of PCK on the level of mRNA and enzyme activity. PCK mRNA and enzyme activity were increased by 0.1 nM glucagon to a maximum after 2 h and 4 h, respectively. This increase was completely inhibited if 10 μM PGE 2 was added concomitantly with glucagon. This inhibition by PGE 2 of glucagon-induced PCK activity was abolished by pertussis toxin treatment. When added at the maximum of PCK mRNA at 2 h, PGE 2 accelerated the decay of mRNA and reduced enzyme activity. This effect was not reversed by pertussis toxin treatment. Since in liver PGE 2 is derived from Kupffer cells, which play a key role in the local inflammatory response, the present data imply that during inflammation PGE 2 may reduce the hepatic gluconeogenic capacity via a G i-linked signal chain.

Mechanism of glycogenolytic action of histamine in rat hepatocytes.

The mechanism by which histamine induces glycogenolysis was investigated in rat hepatocytes. Histamine induced stimulation of glucose output in hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect of the glycogenolytic action of histamine, which was approximately 60% of the maximal glucagon action, was obtained at 10(-6) M. These effects were inhibited by H1 receptor antagonists triprolidine hydrochloride and tripelennamine but not by a H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine. Histamine also increased the activity of phosphorylase a. When 10(-6) M histamine and 5 x 10(-9) M glucagon were added simultaneously, the actions of these two agents were additive. In contrast, there was no additivity when 10(-6) M histamine and 10(-8) M angiotensin II were added. Histamine did not increase adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate at any doses tested but induced a rapid increase in the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c). Histamine increased [Ca2+]c even in the presence of 1 microM extracellular calcium, an observation suggesting that histamine caused calcium release from an intracellular calcium pool(s). When [3H]inositol-labeled hepatocytes were incubated with histamine, radioactivity in the D-myo-inositol trisphosphate fraction was rapidly increased. These results indicate that histamine acts on rat hepatocytes mainly via H1 receptors and stimulates glycogenolysis by activating the calcium messenger system.

Stimulation of Glucose Production by Activin-A in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes*

The effect of activin-A on glycogenolysis was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. Activin-A stimulated glucose output in hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect of the glycogenolytic action of activin-A, which was about 50% of the glucagon action, was obtained at 10(-9) M. When 10(-9) M activin-A and 5 x 10(-9) M glucagon were added simultaneously, the actions of these two agents were additive. In contrast, there was no additivity when 10(-9) M activin-A and 10(-8) M angiotensin-II were added. Activin-A did not increase cAMP at any doses tested, but induced a rapid increase in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration. Activin-A increased the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration even in the presence of 1 microM extracellular calcium, suggesting that activin-A caused calcium release from an intracellular calcium pool(s). The internal calcium pool affected by activin-A appeared to be the same as that affected by either angiotensin-II or vasopressin. When [3H] inositol-labeled hepatocytes were incubated with activin-A, radioactivity in the inositol trisphosphate fraction was rapidly increased. These results indicate that activin-A acts on rat hepatocytes and stimulates glycogenolysis by activating the calcium messenger system.

Growth hormone acutely increases glucose output by hepatocytes isolated from hypophysectomized rats.

A series of experiments using isolated rat hepatocytes was carried out to establish rat liver cells in suspension as a physiological model for examining GH responses, and to determine whether acute recombinant bovine GH (rbGH) treatment of rat liver cells increased glucose output and/or suppressed fatty acid synthesis from lactate. Rat liver cells were isolated by collagenase perfusion and incubated in short-term (less than 60 min) suspension. The amount of insulin, glucagon or vasopressin required to elicit a half-maximal response was within the physiological range of the circulating hormone. When hepatocytes from normal rats were acutely (less than 60 min) treated with 0, 0.1, 10, 100 or 1000 nmol rbGH/l, rates of hepatocyte glucose output and fatty acid synthesis were unaltered. In addition, acute rbGH treatment (1000 nmol/l) did not alter hepatocyte responsiveness to insulin or vasopressin. However, acute rbGH treatment of hepatocytes isolated from hypophysectomized rats significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the rate of glucose output twofold and moderately (P less than 0.10) enhanced fatty acid synthesis. The accelerated rate of glucose production was not accompanied by an increase in the amount of glycogen phosphorylase-a. The observations with liver cells from hypophysectomized rats are not consistent with a GH receptor-transducing mechanism which is like that for glucagon (adenylate cyclase-linked) or insulin (tyrosine kinase-linked).

Effects of oestrogen on adenylate cyclase system and glucose output in rat liver

Effects of chronic oestrogen treatment on catecholamine- and glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity and glucose output in hepatocytes of castrated male rats were studied. In hepatocytes from male intact or castrated rats, the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and glycogenolysis, but glucagon markedly stimulated all these activities. Treatment of castrated animals with 17 beta-oestradiol for 7 days led to the appearance of beta-adrenergic-stimulated increases in both cyclic AMP generation and glucose output. The basal, glucagon- or fluoride-stimulated activities of adenylate cyclase of hepatic membranes prepared from oestrogen-treated rats were similar to those of control animals. Treatment with oestrogen did not influence the number or affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors. In hepatic plasma membranes from control rats, GTP failed to decrease the affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors for agonists, whereas the GTP-induced shift was apparently observed in those from oestrogen-treated animals. These results suggest that oestrogen is able to facilitate the coupling of hepatic beta-adrenergic receptors to the enzyme by increasing the effectiveness of receptor-guanine nucleotide regulation.

The gluconeogenetic ability of hepatocytes in various types of acute uraemia.

Liver cells were prepared from untreated controls, rats with various models of acute uraemia (uranyl nitrate-treated, bilaterally nephrectomised and ureter-ligated rats, rats with acute ischaemic renal failure) and sham-operated animals. Hepatocyte glucose output, pyruvate utilisation and lactate production were determined in the presence of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with different pH values (7.1, 7.4, 7.6) using pyruvate, dihydroxyacetone, serine and fructose as substrates. In the presence of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone a significant increase of glucose production in hepatocytes from bilaterally nephrectomised and ureter-ligated rats was observed. However, pyruvate-generated glucose production in the hepatocytes of uranyl nitrate-treated animals was unchanged, while a diminished glucose output was seen in the presence of dihydroxyacetone. A marked increase in glucose and lactate production in the presence of serine was observed in the hepatocytes of uranyl nitrate-treated, ureter-ligated and binephrectomised rats. However, lactate production from dihydroxyacetone in the liver cells of uranyl nitrate-treated animals was inhibited. In contrast to other types of uraemia, in acute ischaemic renal failure there is significantly lower hepatocyte glucose production using pyruvate as a substrate, but unchanged glucose generation from dihydroxyacetone or serine.