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Biomedical subjects

F Assimacopoulos-Jeannet

Publications and source records attributed to F Assimacopoulos-Jeannet.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Increasing uncoupling protein-2 in pancreatic beta cells does not alter glucose-induced insulin secretion but decreases production of reactive oxygen species.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Levels of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) are regulated in the pancreatic beta cells and an increase in the protein level has been associated with mitochondrial uncoupling and alteration in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. However, it is not clear whether an increase in uncoupling protein-2 per se induces mitochondrial uncoupling and affects ATP generation and insulin secretion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transgenic mice with beta cell-specific overexpression of the human UCP2 gene and INS-1 cells with doxycycline-inducible overproduction of the protein were generated and the consequences of increased levels of UCP2 on glucose-induced insulin secretion and on parameters reflecting mitochondrial uncoupling were determined. RESULTS: In transgenic mice, an increase in beta cell UCP2 protein concentration did not significantly modify plasma glucose and insulin levels. Glucose-induced insulin secretion and elevation in the ATP/ADP ratio were unaltered by an increase in UCP2 level. In INS-1 cells, a similar increase in UCP2 level did not modify glucose-induced insulin secretion, cytosolic ATP and ATP/ADP ratio, or glucose oxidation. Increased levels of UCP2 did not modify the mitochondrial membrane potential and oxygen consumption. Increased UCP2 levels decreased cytokine-induced production of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: The results obtained in transgenic mice and in the beta cell line do not support the hypothesis that an increase in UCP2 protein per se uncouples the mitochondria and decreases glucose-induced insulin secretion. In contrast, the observation that increased UCP2 levels decrease cytokine-induced production of reactive oxygen species indicates a potential protective effect of the protein on beta cells, as observed in other cell types.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The effect of insulin on cardiac autonomic balance predicts weight reduction after gastric bypass.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of autonomic reactivity in body weight loss induced by gastric bypass. METHODS: A group of 22 morbidly obese subjects, who were due to undergo a gastric bypass, were submitted, before surgery, to a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, during which a continuous recording of the ECG was performed. The effect of insulin on cardiac autonomic balance was evaluated by performing power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. The low-to-high frequency ratio was calculated before and during the clamp and its modifications were expressed as % delta low-to-high frequency ratio (%Delta L: H). RESULTS: Preoperative %Delta L: H showed a significant (p=0.0009, r2=0.43), positive relationship to the reduction of body weight, measured 1 year after surgery and expressed as % excess weight loss (% EWL). Preoperative BMI was also significantly (p=0.0009, r2=0.43) negatively related to the 12-month % EWL. In a multiple regression analysis, %Delta L: H remained a significant (p=0.003), independent predictor of body weight loss, even when preoperative BMI or age, % fat mass, insulinaemia and glucose disposal were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The best correction of excess body weight was achieved by those obese subjects who had a preserved capacity to shift their cardiac autonomic balance towards a sympathetic prevalence in response to an euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms through which the autonomic nervous system influences weight reduction.

Adult↗

Relationship between sympathetic reactivity and body weight loss in morbidly obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of peripheral sympathetic activity in gastric bypass-induced body weight loss. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 42 morbidly obese patients (sex: 36 f/6 m; BMI: 46.0+/-0.7 kg/m(2)) undergoing a gastric bypass, the skin vasoconstrictor reflex in answer to a deep inspiration was measured by laser Doppler fluximetry. The extent of vasoconstriction, measured at the second finger of the left hand, was expressed as percent reduction of the basal blood flux (% vasoconstriction). Insulin sensitivity was assessed before surgery in a subset of patients (n=11), by the method of euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp. Body weight and composition were evaluated before, and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. At the same time points, energy intake (kJ/day) was evaluated by means of both food record diary and alimentary anamnesis. RESULTS: The % vasoconstriction, which was significantly (P=0.01) greater in normoglycemic subjects than in diabetic ones, was also significantly (P=0.03) related to the extent of insulin sensitivity measured during the euglycemic clamp. The % vasoconstriction showed a significant (P>0.0001), positive correlation with weight reduction obtained between the 6th and 12th months following surgery; as a consequence, % vasoconstriction was significantly (P=0.0004) related to the overall body weight loss achieved during the year following the operation. These correlations remained significant in multiple regression analysis with adjustment for age, initial body weight, plasma glucose and insulin (P=0.0007 and 0.006, respectively). The % vasoconstriction was also significantly (P=0.0006), negatively related to energy intake measured 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In conditions of stable body weight, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) reactivity is influenced by the degree of insulin resistance. A high capacity to activate the SNS, measured before surgery, is associated with both a larger gastric bypass-induced weight loss and a lower energy intake, at the phase of weight stabilization.

Adult↗

Fat storage in pancreas and in insulin-sensitive tissues in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Obesity is associated with increased storage of lipids in nonadipose tissues like skeletal muscle, liver, and pancreatic beta cells. These lipids constitute a continuous source of long-chain fatty acyl CoA (LC-CoA) and derived metabolites like diacylglycerol and ceramide, acting as signalling molecules on protein kinases activities (in particular, the family of PKCs), ion channel, gene expression, and protein acylation. In skeletal muscle, the increase in LC-CoA and diacylglycerol translocates and activates specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, which will phosphorylate IRS-1 on serine, preventing its phosphorylation on tyrosine and association with PI3 kinase. This interrupts the insulin signalling pathway leading to the stimulation of glucose transport. In pancreatic beta cells, short-term excess of fatty acids or LC-CoA activates PKC and also directly stimulates insulin exocytosis. Long-term exposure to free fatty acids (FFA) leads to an increased basal and blunted glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by affecting gene expression, increase in K(ATP) channel activity, and uncoupling of the mitochondria. In addition, the saturated FFA palmitate increases cell death by apoptosis via increase in ceramide synthesis.

Animals↗

Pancreatic beta-cell alpha2A adrenoceptor and phospholipid changes in hyperlipidemic rats.

We previously showed that a 48-h intravenous lipid infusion in rats induces pancreatic beta-cell hypersensitivity to catecholamines. Our aim was to study the lipid-related changes that may account for such hypersensitivity in pancreatic islets. We show here that a 48-h increase in plasma FFA alters the binding characteristics of beta-cell alpha2 adrenoceptors in rats. Lipid infusion decreases pancreatic norepinephrine (NE) turnover rate by 28%, reflecting a reduction of pancreatic NE stores. Following lipid infusion, the density of alpha2 adrenoceptor binding sites is significantly lower and receptor affinity higher, both in islet homogenates (by three- and fivefold, respectively) and isolated whole beta-cells (by two- and sixfold, respectively). These changes correlate with the elevated insulin response to glucose found in lipid-infused rats. We also found a modification of islet phospholipid content, particularly in phosphoethanolamine species containing infused FA such as palmitate, oleate, stearate, and linoleate. This may account for the modifications in receptor affinity. These results suggest that hyperlipidemia-associated pathologies such as diabetes and obesity not only may result from alterations of metabolic pathways but also may be a consequence of early modifications in nervous firing rates and signal transduction pathways.

Animals↗

Uncoupling protein 2: a possible link between fatty acid excess and impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion?

The mechanism by which long-term exposure of the beta-cell to elevated concentrations of fatty acid alters glucose-induced insulin secretion has been examined. Exposure of INS-1 beta-cells to 0.4 mmol/l oleate for 72 h increased basal insulin secretion and decreased insulin release in response to high glucose, but not in response to agents acting at the level of the K(ATP) channel (tolbutamide) or beyond (elevated KCl). This also suppressed the glucose-induced increase in the cellular ATP-to-ADP ratio. The depolarization of the plasma membrane promoted by glucose was decreased after oleate exposure, whereas the response to KCl was unchanged. Cells exposed to free fatty acids displayed a lower mitochondrial membrane potential and a decreased glucose-induced hyperpolarization. The possible implication of uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 in the altered secretory response was examined by measuring UCP2 gene expression after chronic exposure of the cells to fatty acids. UCP2 mRNA and protein were increased twofold by oleate. Palmitate and the nonoxidizable fatty acid bromopalmitate had similar effects on UCP2 mRNA, suggesting that UCP2 gene induction by fatty acids does not require their metabolism. The data are compatible with a role of UCP2 and partial mitochondrial uncoupling in the decreased secretory response to glucose observed after chronic exposure of the beta-cell to elevated fatty acids, and suggest that the expression and/or activity of the protein may modulate insulin secretion in response to glucose.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Glucose down-regulates the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha gene in the pancreatic beta -cell.

To better understand the action of glucose on fatty acid metabolism in the beta-cell and the link between chronically elevated glucose or fatty acids and beta-cell decompensation in adipogenic diabetes, we investigated whether glucose regulates peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gene expression in the beta-cell. Islets or INS(832/13) beta-cells exposed to high glucose show a 60-80% reduction in PPARalpha mRNA expression. Oleate, either in the absence or presence of glucose, has no effect. The action of glucose is dose-dependent in the 6-20 mm range and maximal after 6 h. Glucose also causes quantitatively similar reductions in PPARalpha protein and DNA binding activity of this transcription factor. The effect of glucose is blocked by the glucokinase inhibitor mannoheptulose, is partially mimicked by 2-deoxyglucose, and is not blocked by the 3-O-methyl or the 6-deoxy analogues of the sugar that are not phosphorylated. Chronic elevated glucose reduces the expression levels of the PPAR target genes, uncoupling protein 2 and acyl-CoA oxidase, which are involved in fat oxidation and lipid detoxification. A 3-day exposure of INS-1 cells to elevated glucose results in a permanent rise in malonyl-CoA, the inhibition of fat oxidation, and the promotion of fatty acid esterification processes and causes elevated insulin secretion at low glucose. The results suggest that a reduction in PPARalpha gene expression together with a rise in malonyl-CoA plays a role in the coordinated adaptation of beta-cell glucose and lipid metabolism to hyperglycemia and may be implicated in the mechanism of beta-cell "glucolipotoxicity."

Animals↗

Energy economy hampers body weight loss after gastric bypass.

The impact of energy economy on body weight loss was investigated in 20 obese women, submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Resting energy expenditure (REE), substrate oxidation rates, plasma glucose, free fatty acid, and insulin and leptin levels were measured before and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Predicted REE was obtained from linear regression analysis of REE and fat free mass, in a group of 85 women, whose body mass index ranged between 20 and 60 kg/m(2). The deviation from predicted REE, calculated as area under the curve (AUC) over the 12-month period for each patient, was considered as the expression of energy economy. Energy economy AUC was significantly (P: < 0.005) negatively related to the weight lost during 12 months after surgery. Energy intake, calculated from self-reported food consumption, was also expressed as AUC. Energy intake AUC showed a significant (P: < 0.002) positive correlation with weight loss. Lipid oxidation rate, also calculated as AUC, significantly correlated, negatively, with energy economy (P: < 0. 001) and, positively, with energy intake (P: < 0.002). Preoperative leptin values were significantly (P: < 0.01) linked to individual energy economy capacity. In conclusion, after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, energy economy hampers the weight loss process, probably through a low fat oxidation rate.

Adult↗

Effect of transient ischemia on the expression of glucose transporters GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 in rat myocardium.

A number of observations indicate that myocardial glucose utilization is increased late during post-ischemic reperfusion. The present study was designed to examine whether transient ischemia elicits altered expression of glucose transporters GLUT-1 and GLUT-4. In rats, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 1, 3 or 7 days. Regional myocardial uptake and phosphorylation of glucose was determined based on myocardial accumulation of 2-deoxy-D-[2, 6-3H]glucose-6-phosphate. In hearts from fasted rats, after 3 days of reperfusion, myocardial uptake and phosphorylation of glucose was 48% higher in the reperfused region compared to a remote control region. No regional difference in myocardial glucose uptake and phosphorylation was detectable in hearts from fed rats. After 1 day of reperfusion, expression of myocardial glucose transporter GLUT-1 mRNA was increased to 195+/-24% (mean+/-SEM) of the value measured in the remote region and the expression of GLUT-4 mRNA was decreased to 58+/-7%. After 3 days of reperfusion both mRNA and protein of GLUT-1 were higher in the reperfused region, averaging 133+/-23% and 249+/-36%, respectively. The corresponding values for GLUT-4 mRNA and protein were 77+/-7% and 62+/-6%, respectively. The results indicate that a short period of ischemia alters the expression of glucose transporter isoforms GLUT-1 and GLUT-4. Observed changes may be involved in the mechanisms underlying late changes of substrate metabolism during reperfusion.

Acute Disease↗

Leptin plasma levels as a marker of sparing-energy mechanisms in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible relationships between leptin and energy expenditure (EE), both in the condition of stable body weight and during weight loss. SUBJECTS: Seventy four Caucasian, adult obese women with stable body weight (including 10 obese women studied before and during a body weight-reducing program). MEASUREMENTS: Resting EE (REE) and substrate oxidation rates by indirect calorimetry; plasma leptin concentrations by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: In conditions of stable body weight, leptin values showed a significant, negative relationship with REE, as expressed in absolute values (P = 0.030) and as adjusted for the variation in lean body mass (LBM) (P = 0.017). This negative relationship was independent of both LBM and fat mass (FM). Linear regression analysis was used to obtain the equation linking REE and LBM; then both predicted REE and the percent deviation from predicted REE were calculated for each subject. Leptin values were negatively related (P < 0.0001) to the deviation from predicted REE. During active body weight loss, the modifications of both REE (delta REE) and lipid oxidation (delta lipid oxidation) were significantly negatively related to leptin concentrations, which were measured before the dieting period (P < 0.03 for both). CONCLUSION: In obese women, high plasma leptin concentrations are associated with a low rate of REE, when body weight is stable, and with a reduction of REE and lipid oxidation, in response to a hypocaloric diet. This suggests that, in severely obese women, leptin is a marker of sparing energy mechanisms operating in both basal and reducing weight conditions.

Biomarkers↗

Lipid rather than glucose metabolism is implicated in altered insulin secretion caused by oleate in INS-1 cells.

A comprehensive metabolic study was carried out to understand how chronic exposure of pancreatic beta-cells to fatty acids causes high basal secretion and impairs glucose-induced insulin release. INS-1 beta-cells were exposed to 0.4 mM oleate for 3 days and subsequently incubated at 5 or 25 mM glucose, after which various parameters were measured. Chronic oleate promoted triglyceride deposition, increased fatty acid oxidation and esterification, and reduced malonyl-CoA at low glucose in association with elevated basal O(2) consumption and redox state. Oleate caused a modest (25%) reduction in glucose oxidation but did not affect glucose usage, the glucose 6-phosphate and citrate contents, and the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase of INS-1 cells. Thus changes in glucose metabolism and a Randle-glucose/fatty acid cycle do not explain the altered secretory properties of beta-cells exposed to fatty acids. The main response of INS-1 cells to chronic oleate, which is to increase the oxidation and esterification of fatty acids, may contribute to cause high basal insulin secretion via increased production of reducing equivalents and/or the generation of complex lipid messenger molecule(s).

Cell Line↗

Lipid infusion lowers sympathetic nervous activity and leads to increased beta-cell responsiveness to glucose.

We investigated the possible involvement of the autonomic nervous system in the effect of a long-term elevation of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration on glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS) in rats. Rats were infused with an emulsion of triglycerides (Intralipid) for 48 hours (IL rats). This resulted in a twofold increase in plasma FFA concentration. At the end of infusion, GIIS as reflected in the insulinogenic index (DeltaI/DeltaG) was 2.5-fold greater in IL rats compared with control saline-infused rats. The ratio of sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous activities was sharply decreased in IL rats relative to controls. GIIS was studied in the presence of increasing amounts of alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists. The lowest concentrations of the alpha2A-adrenoreceptor agonist oxymetazoline, which were ineffective in control rats, reduced GIIS in IL rats. At the dose of 0.3 pmol/kg, GIIS became similar in IL and control rats. The use of beta-adrenoreceptor agonist (isoproterenol) or antagonist (propranolol) did not result in a significant alteration in GIIS in both groups. GIIS remained as high in IL vagotomized rats as in intact IL rats, indicating that changes in parasympathetic tone were of minor importance. Altogether, the data show that lipid infusion provokes beta-cell hyperresponsiveness in vivo, at least in part through changes in alpha2-adrenergic innervation.

Animals↗

Uncoupling protein-3 expression in rodent skeletal muscle is modulated by food intake but not by changes in environmental temperature.

A new member of the uncoupling protein (UCP) family called UCP3 has recently been cloned and shown to be highly expressed in skeletal muscle of rodents and humans. In the present study, UCP3 was overexpressed in C2C12 myoblasts where it acts as an uncoupling protein. Changes in UCP3 mRNA expression were examined in rodent muscles under conditions known to modulate thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. In skeletal muscle, UCP3 expression did not change in response to 48 h of cold exposure (6 degrees C), whereas it was decreased by 81% or increased 5.6-fold by 1 week of 50% food restriction or fasting, respectively. It was also decreased by 36% in soleus muscle of obese (fa/fa) as compared with lean Zucker rats. The unexpected rise of UCP3 mRNA level induced by fasting did not change in vitro muscle basal heat production rate but decreased by 31% the capacity to produce heat in response to the uncoupler carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. This decrease may reflect underlying uncoupling by UCP3. Up-regulation of UCP3 mRNA after a 24-h fast was still observed in mice exposed at thermoneutrality. These results show that the increase in UCP3 expression induced by fasting is associated with the maintenance of thermogenesis measured in muscle in vitro and is not modulated by environmental temperature. The notion that UCP3 expression is modulated by food intake is of importance to better understand the pathophysiology of obesity in humans.

Animals↗

Stimulation by leptin of 3H GDP binding to brown adipose tissue of fasted but not fed rats.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) leptin administration on rats fed ad libitum or fasted on 3H GDP binding to brown adipose tissue (BAT). SUBJECTS: Groups of 5-6 ten-week-old male Wistar rats. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: An i.c.v. cannula was inserted and unilateral denervation of interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) was performed 5 d before each study. Thereafter, leptin was infused i.c.v. during 72 h while rats were fed ad libitum or fasted. Vehicle-infused, pair-fed or fasted rats were used as controls. MEASUREMENTS: 3H GDP binding to innervated and denervated BAT mitochondria. RESULTS: 3H GDP binding to innervated or denervated BAT of rats fed ab libitum compared to vehicle-infused, pair-fed rats was not increased by i.c.v. leptin. 3H GDP binding was lower in fasted than in fed rats, and the difference was larger in innervated than denervated BAT. I.c.v. leptin increased 3H GDP binding by 30% in innervated, and by 51% in denervated BAT (P < 0.05) in fasted rats. CONCLUSIONS: I.c.v. leptin does not increase 3H GDP binding to BAT of rats fed ad libitum compared to pair-fed (food-restricted) rats. In contrast, i.c.v. leptin produces a mild stimulation of 3H GDP binding to BAT of fasted rats. This effect is not mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, because it is observed in both innervated and denervated BAT. These results are compatible with the concept that, in fasting rats, the decrease in leptin secretion contributes to the reduction in 3H GDP binding to BAT mitochondria.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Long-term exposure of beta-INS cells to high glucose concentrations increases anaplerosis, lipogenesis, and lipogenic gene expression.

Chronic exposure of pancreatic beta-cells to high glucose has pleiotropic action on beta-cell function. In particular, it induces key glycolytic genes, promotes glycogen deposition, and causes beta-cell proliferation and altered insulin secretion characterized by sensitization to low glucose. Postglycolytic events, in particular, anaplerosis and lipid signaling, are thought to be implicated in beta-cell activation by glucose. To understand the biochemical nature of the beta-cell adaptive process to hyperglycemia, we studied the regulation by glucose of lipogenic genes in the beta-cell line INS-1. A 3-day exposure of cells to elevated glucose (5-25 mmol/l) increased the enzymatic activities of fatty acid synthase 3-fold, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 30-fold, and malic enzyme 1.3-fold. Pyruvate carboxylase and citrate lyase expression remained constant. Similar observations were made at the protein and mRNA levels except for malic enzyme mRNA, which did not vary. Metabolic gene expression changes were associated with chronically elevated levels of citrate, malate, malonyl-CoA, and conversion of glucose carbon into lipids, even in cells that were subsequently exposed to low glucose. Similarly, fatty acid oxidation was suppressed and phospholipid and triglyceride synthesis was enhanced independently of the external glucose concentration in cells preexposed to high glucose. The results suggest that a coordinated induction of glycolytic and lipogenic genes in conjunction with glycogen and triglyceride deposition, as well as increased anaplerosis and altered lipid partitioning, contribute to the adaptive process to hyperglycemia and glucose sensitization of the beta-cell.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗

Induction by glucose of genes coding for glycolytic enzymes in a pancreatic beta-cell line (INS-1).

Chronic elevation in glucose has pleiotropic effects on the pancreatic beta-cell including a high rate of insulin secretion at low glucose, beta-cell hypertrophy, and hyperplasia. These actions of glucose are expected to be associated with the modulation of the expression of a number of glucose-regulated genes that need to be identified. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms implicated in these adaptation processes to hyperglycemia, we have studied the regulation of genes encoding key glycolytic enzymes in the glucose-responsive beta-cell line INS-1. Glucose (from 5 to 25 mM) induced phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) isoform C, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (4-fold), and L-pyruvate kinase (L-PK) (7-fold) mRNAs. In contrast the expression level of the glucokinase (Gk) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase transcripts remained unchanged. Following a 3-day exposure to elevated glucose, a similar induction was observed at the protein level for PFK-1 (isoforms C, M, and L), GAPDH, and L-PK, whereas M-PK expression only increased slightly. The study of the mechanism of GAPDH induction indicated that glucose increased the transcriptional rate of the GAPDH gene but that both transcriptional and post transcriptional effects contributed to GAPDH mRNA accumulation. 2-Deoxyglucose did not mimic the inductive effect of glucose, suggesting that increased glucose metabolism is involved in GAPDH gene induction. These changes in glycolytic enzyme expression were associated with a 2-3-fold increase in insulin secretion at low (2-5 mM) glucose. The metabolic activity of the cells was also elevated, as indicated by the reduction of the artificial electron acceptor 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium. A marked deposition of glycogen, which was readily mobilized upon lowering of the ambient glucose, and increased DNA replication were also observed in cells exposed to elevated glucose. The results suggest that a coordinated induction of key glycolytic enzymes as well as massive glycogen deposition are implicated in the adaptation process of the beta-cell to hyperglycemia to allow for chronically elevated glucose metabolism, which, in this particular fuel-sensitive cell, is linked to metabolic coupling factor production and cell activation.

Animals↗