Role of Heparanase on Hepatic Uptake of Intestinal Derived Lipoprotein and Fatty Streak Formation in Mice

BACKGROUND: Heparanase modulates the level of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) which have an important role in multiple cellular processes. Recent studies indicate that HSPGs have an important function in hepatic lipoprotein handling and processes involving removal of lipoprotein particles. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To determine the effects of decreased HSPGs chain length on lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis, transgenic mice over-expressing the human heparanase gene were studied. Hepatic lipid uptake in hpa-Tg mice were evaluated by giving transgenic mice oral fat loads and labeled retinol. Sections of aorta from mice over-expressing heparanase (hpa-Tg) and controls (C57/BL6) fed an atherogenic diet were examined for evidence of atherosclerosis. Heparanase over-expression results in reduced hepatic clearance of postprandial lipoproteins and higher levels of fasting and postprandial serum triglycerides. Heparanase over-expression also induces formation of fatty streaks in the aorta. The mean lesion cross-sectional area in heparanase over-expressing mice was almost 6 times higher when compared to control mice (23,984 µm(2)±5,922 vs. 4,189 µm(2)±1,130, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over-expression of heparanase demonstrates the importance of HSPGs for the uptake of intestinal derived lipoproteins and its role in the formation of fatty streaks

ApoB100-LDL Acts as a Metabolic Signal from Liver to Peripheral Fat Causing Inhibition of Lipolysis in Adipocytes

International audienceBACKGROUND: Free fatty acids released from adipose tissue affect the synthesis of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and glucose metabolism in the liver. Whether there also exists a reciprocal metabolic arm affecting energy metabolism in white adipose tissue is unknown. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We investigated the effects of apoB-containing lipoproteins on catecholamine-induced lipolysis in adipocytes from subcutaneous fat cells of obese but otherwise healthy men, fat pads from mice with plasma lipoproteins containing high or intermediate levels of apoB100 or no apoB100, primary cultured adipocytes, and 3T3-L1 cells. In subcutaneous fat cells, the rate of lipolysis was inversely related to plasma apoB levels. In human primary adipocytes, LDL inhibited lipolysis in a concentration-dependent fashion. In contrast, VLDL had no effect. Lipolysis was increased in fat pads from mice lacking plasma apoB100, reduced in apoB100-only mice, and intermediate in wild-type mice. Mice lacking apoB100 also had higher oxygen consumption and lipid oxidation. In 3T3-L1 cells, apoB100-containing lipoproteins inhibited lipolysis in a dose-dependent fashion, but lipoproteins containing apoB48 had no effect. ApoB100-LDL mediated inhibition of lipolysis was abolished in fat pads of mice deficient in the LDL receptor (Ldlr(-/-)Apob(100/100)). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the binding of apoB100-LDL to adipocytes via the LDL receptor inhibits intracellular noradrenaline-induced lipolysis in adipocytes. Thus, apoB100-LDL is a novel signaling molecule from the liver to peripheral fat deposits that may be an important link between atherogenic dyslipidemias and facets of the metabolic syndrome

Proinsulin Atypical Maturation and Disposal Induces Extensive Defects in Mouse Ins2+/Akita β-Cells

Because of its low relative folding rate and plentiful manufacture in β-cells, proinsulin maintains a homeostatic balance of natively and plentiful non-natively folded states (i.e., proinsulin homeostasis, PIHO) through the integration of maturation and disposal processes. PIHO is susceptible to genetic and environmental influences, and its disorder has been critically linked to defects in β-cells in diabetes. To explore this hypothesis, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), metabolic-labeling, immunoblotting, and histological studies to clarify what defects result from primary disorder of PIHO in model Ins2+/Akita β-cells. We used T antigen-transformed Ins2+/Akita and control Ins2+/+ β-cells established from Akita and wild-type littermate mice. In Ins2+/Akita β-cells, we found no apparent defect at the transcriptional and translational levels to contribute to reduced cellular content of insulin and its precursor and secreted insulin. Glucose response remained normal in proinsulin biosynthesis but was impaired for insulin secretion. The size and number of mature insulin granules were reduced, but the size/number of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, mitochondrion, and lysosome organelles and vacuoles were expanded/increased. Moreover, cell death increased, and severe oxidative stress, which manifested as increased reactive oxygen species, thioredoxin-interacting protein, and protein tyrosine nitration, occurred in Ins2+/Akita β-cells and/or islets. These data show the first clear evidence that primary PIHO imbalance induces severe oxidative stress and impairs glucose-stimulated insulin release and β-cell survival as well as producing other toxic consequences. The defects disclosed/clarified in model Ins2+/Akita β-cells further support a role of the genetic and stress-susceptible PIHO disorder in β-cell failure and diabetes

Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample comprised 2344 individuals aged 40 years or older from 150 cities and was based on a probabilistic sample from official data. The research was conducted through in-home interviews administered by a team trained for this purpose. Dietary intake information was obtained through 24-h recall. The Nutrition Data System for Research software program was used to analyze data on the intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, which was compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Differences in intake according to sex, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status and region were also evaluated. The SPSS statistical package (version 13) was used for the statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher proportions of low intake in relation to recommended values were found for vitamin E (99.7%), vitamin A (92.4%) and vitamin C (85.1%) in both genders. Intake variations were found between different regions, which may reflect cultural habits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results should lead to the development of public health policies that encourage educational strategies for improving the intake of micronutrients, which are essential to overall health and prevention of non-communicable diseases.</p

Triglycerides and blood pressure in relation to circulating CD34-positive cell levels among community-dwelling elderly Japanese men: a cross-sectional study

Background: Triglycerides are reported to be positively associated with blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic). However, in a previous study, we reported a significant positive association between triglycerides and circulating CD34-positive cells (endothelial repair) among non-hypertensive, but not hypertensive, participants. Since hypertension and endothelial dysfunction have a bi-directional association (vicious cycle), the status of circulating CD34-positive cells may influence the association between triglycerides and hypertension. Methods: Since antihypertensive medication use may influence results of the present study, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 327 community dwelling elderly (aged 60-69 years) Japanese participants who were not taking anti-hypertensive medication and who had participated in a general health check-up in 2013-2015. Results: Participants were classified into two groups based on median values of circulating CD34-positive cells (0.93 cells/μL). For participants with lower circulating CD34-positive cells (n = 165), a significant positive association was seen between triglycerides and blood pressure, but not for participants with higher circulating CD34-positive cells (n = 162). The multivariable standardized parameter estimates (β) and p values of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 0.23 (p = 0.007) and 0.18 (p = 0.036) for participants with lower circulating CD34-positive cells and 0.08 (p = 0.409) and 0.03 (p = 0.786) for those with higher circulating CD34-positive cells. Conclusion: A significant positive association between triglycerides and blood pressure exists among those with lower, but not higher, circulating CD34-positive cells. The level of circulating CD34-positive cells acts as a determinant factor for the association between triglycerides and blood pressure

Mitochondrial changes and associated alterations induced in mice by streptozotocin administered in vivo and in vitro

Isolated mouse liver mitochondria incubated with streptozotocin showed decreased rate and extent of Ca2+ uptake, and, dependent on the concentration of streptozotocin and the addition of alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, fluorocitrate or guanosine 5'-triphosphate, the retention of Ca2+ was either increased or decreased. Similar observations were made in liver mitochondria incubated with succinyl-CoA. In mitochondria isolated from the kidneys and islets of mice injected with streptozotocin, with and without additional injections of glucose and/or glucagon, the rate and extent of Ca2+ uptake were reduced and the release of accumulated Ca2+ was stimulated. Electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis showed dislocation of Ca2+-containing precipitates from the mitochondria to the cytosol, and stereology disclosed increased mitochondrial volume in the B cells of streptozotocin-treated mice. State 3 and state 4 respiration with NAD-linked substrates was inhibited, but succinate oxidation was unaffected, in mitochondria isolated from the kidneys of mice treated with streptozotocin. In the kidneys of streptozotocin-injected mice, the concentration of succinyl-CoA was increased, that of citrate and guanosine 5'-triphosphate was decreased, that of glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate was unaffected, and the metabolite concentration ratios suggested increased mitochondrial [NAD+]/[NADH] ratio and decreased cytoplasmic [NAD+]/[NADH] ratio. It is suggested as a new hypothesis that the cytotoxicity and the diabetogenicity of streptozotocin are dependent on inhibited citric acid cycle enzyme activity (primarily that of succinyl-CoA synthetase and citrate synthetase) with altered metabolite concentrations, leading to impairment of the mitochondrial uptake of Ca2+ and the activation of the pyruvate, isocitrate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases.</p

Postprandial lipaemia and its relation to premature atherosclerosis in middle-aged men [Elektronisk resurs]

The present research programme was set up to investigate whether pertubations of the metabolism of postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) are related to premature atherosclerosis and to determine if treatment with a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (atorvastatin) improves deranged alimentary lipaemia in postinfarction patients with combined hyperlipidaemia. The relation between plasma insulin and alimentary lipaemia was investigated as well. To this purpose healthy middle-aged men and male survivors of a myocardial infarction underwent an oral fat tolerance test of a mixed meal type. TRLs were subfractionated according to particle size by cumulative density gradient ultracentrifugation. The apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 and B-100 concentrations in each fraction of TRLs were determined by analytical sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a measure of chylomicron remnant (intestinally derived) and very low-density lipoprotein ((VLDL) liver derived) particle concentrations. In study I the relation between alimentary lipaemia and common carotid artery intima-media thickness IMT) was investigated in 96 healthy 50-year-old men with an apo E3/E3 genotype. This study demonstrated that the early triglyceride response after the mixed meal is independently associated with common carotid MT. Similarly, in study IV, the postprandial triglyceridaemia was exaggerated in a group of 41 male postinfarction patients compared to healthy controls. The patients had elevated plasma concentrations of all subfractions of TRLs. However, in the postprandial state, this appeared to be a consequence of the plasma concentrations of these particles being elevated already in the fasting state. In the group of healthy 50-year-old men, on the other hand, the large VLDL particles measured at 3 hours after the test meal represented the only subfraction of TRLs that correlated with IMT, and this relation was lost in multivariate analysis. In study II the relations of fasting plasma insulin concentrations to fasting and postprandial TRLs were determined in 99 healthy 50-year-old men with an apo E3/E3 genotype. The plasma insulin concentration was associated with the postprandial plasma concentrations of triglycerides, large VLDLs and large and small chylomicron remnants. For the large TRL particles this relation reflected an association between plasma insulin and these particles present already in the fasting state. In addition, strong positive correlations were found between the late increases in large TRLs and plasma free fatty acid concentrations at 6 hours. Study III was performed to investigate the effects of treatment with a P, receptor-blocking agent, metoprolol, on postprandial lipaemia as a preparation for study IV. Sixteen healthy men were randomized to metoprolol 100 mg or placebo once daily. Metoprolol induced modest increases in the postprandial plasma concentrations of triglycerides and VLDL particles, especially larger VLDLs. This seemed to be mainly an effect of increased basal production of large VLDL particles. In study V, 16 postinfarction patients with combined hyperlipidaemia were randomized to atorvastatin 40 mg or placebo once daily. In the postprandial state, atorvastatin induced profound reductions of the plasma concentrations of all subfractions of TRLs and of plasma triglycerides. The effect on large VLDL particles depended to a large extent on a reduced fasting plasma concentration of this particle species and this was also the case for plasma triglycerides. Conclusions: Enhanced postprandial lipaemia is implicated in the development of premature atherosclerosis in middle-aged men and seems to be linked to the metabolic syndrome by means of insulin resistance. Furthermore, atorvastatin is effective in reducing postprandial plasma concentrations of triglycerides and all subfractions of TRLs in male postinfarction patients with combined hyperlipidaemia