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Biomedical subjects

J M Egan

Publications and source records attributed to J M Egan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Glucagon-like peptide-1 increases cAMP but fails to augment contraction in adult rat cardiac myocytes.

The gut hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is secreted in nanomolar amounts in response to nutrients in the intestinal lumen, exerts cAMP/protein kinase A-mediated insulinotropic actions in target endocrine tissues, but its actions in heart cells are unknown. GLP-1 (10 nmol/L) increased intracellular cAMP (from 5.7+/-0.5 to 13.1+/-0.12 pmol/mg protein) in rat cardiac myocytes. The effects of cAMP-doubling concentrations of both GLP-1 and isoproterenol (ISO, 10 nmol/L) on contraction amplitude, intracellular Ca(2+) transient (CaT), and pH(i) in indo-1 and seminaphthorhodafluor (SNARF)-1 loaded myocytes were compared. Whereas ISO caused a characteristic increase (above baseline) in contraction amplitude (160+/-34%) and CaT (70+/-5%), GLP-1 induced a significant decrease in contraction amplitude (-27+/-5%) with no change in the CaT after 20 minutes. Neither pertussis toxin treatment nor exposure to the cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase (PDE2) inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine or the nonselective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine nor the phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid or calyculin A unmasked an ISO-mimicking response of GLP-1. In SNARF-1-loaded myocytes, however, both ISO and GLP-1 caused an intracellular acidosis (DeltapH(i) -0.09+/-0.02 and -0.08+/-0.03, respectively). The specific GLP-1 antagonist exendin 9-39 and the cAMP inhibitory analog Rp-8CPT-cAMPS inhibited both the GLP-1-induced intracellular acidosis and the negative contractile effect. We conclude that in contrast to beta-adrenergic signaling, GLP-1 increases cAMP but fails to augment contraction, suggesting the existence of functionally distinct adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A compartments, possibly determined by unique receptor signaling microdomains that are not controlled by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins or by enhanced local PDE or phosphatase activation. Furthermore, GLP-1 elicits a cAMP-dependent modest negative inotropic effect produced by a decrease in myofilament-Ca(2+) responsiveness probably resulting from intracellular acidification.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A spring network model for the analysis of load transfer and tissue reactions in intra-medullary fixation.

OBJECTIVE: A spring network can be used to represent the load transfer from a prosthetic stem into its surrounding bone. The study seeks to test the hypothesis that clinical patterns of bone remodelling can be simulated using a feedback that modifies the properties of the network depending on the load transfer. DESIGN: A mathematical model is used to simulate the initial properties of the linear system and its subsequent remodelling behaviour. BACKGROUND: A stable and pain-free transfer of physiological forces is essential for a clinically successful arthroplasty. Following surgery, bone remodelling and osteolysis can modify this load transfer. METHODS: The combined effect of all factors that influence prosthesis-bone load transfer are summarised in the properties of 'inter-link' springs that connect springs representing the prosthesis and bone in the linear network. It is on these inter-links that a remodelling feedback operates, and their properties can be varied with time in response to deformation or force values. RESULTS: Reducing inter-link stiffness leads to a broad distribution of load transfer, whilst an iso-elastic stem concentrates this transfer through the proximal and distal portions of a prosthesis. Physiological patterns of bone resorption and osteolysis become apparent in a time-series analysis of the feedback in the linear system. Specifically, osseo-integration requires a fixation of sufficient stiffness otherwise loosening will occur. Simulated osteolysis following osseo-integration loosens the implant from a distal to a proximal direction. CONCLUSIONS: Complex physiological bone remodelling patterns can emerge from a simple feedback within a linear system. Relevance. Implant loosening is presented here as an adverse response of a stable dynamic system caused by mechanical or biological stimuli.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMed2001

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-37) augments insulin-mediated glucose uptake in elderly patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal insulinotropic hormone that augments glucose-induced insulin secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes. It has also been proposed that a substantial component of the glucose-lowering effects of GLP-1 occurs because this hormone enhances insulin-mediated glucose disposal. However, interpretations of the studies have been controversial. This study determines the effect of GLP-1 on insulin-mediated glucose disposal in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Studies were conducted on 8 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (age range, 76 +/- 1 years; body mass index, 28 +/- 1 kg/m(2)). Each subject underwent two 180-minute euglycemic (insulin infusion rate, 40 mU/m(2)/min) insulin clamps in random order. Glucose production (Ra) and disposal (Rd) rates were measured using tritiated glucose methodology. In one study, glucose and insulin alone were infused. In the other study, a primed-continuous infusion of GLP-1 was administered at a final rate of 1.5 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) from 30 to 180 minutes. RESULTS: Glucose values were similar between the control and GLP-1 infusion studies. 120- to 180-minute insulin values appeared to be higher during the GLP-1 infusion study (control, 795 +/- 63 pmol/l; GLP-1, 1140 +/- 275 pmol/l; p = not significant [NS]). The higher insulin values were largely due to 2 subjects who had substantial insulin responses to GLP-1 despite euglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. The 120- to 180-minute insulin values were similar in the other 6 subjects (control, 746 +/- 35 pmol/l; GLP-1, 781 +/- 41 pmol/l; p = NS). Basal (control, 2.08 +/- 0.05 mg/kg/min; GLP-1, 2.13 +/- 0.04 mg/kg/min; p = NS) and 120- to 180-minute (control, 0.50 +/- 0.18 mg/kg/min; GLP-1, 0.45 +/- 0.14 mg/kg/min; p = NS) Ra was similar between studies. The 120- to 180-minute Rd values were higher during the GLP-1 infusion studies (control, 4.73 +/- 0.39 mg/kg/min; GLP-1, 5.52 +/- 0.43 mg/kg/min; p <.01). When the 2 subjects who had significant insulin responses to GLP-1 during the euglycemic clamp were excluded, the 120- to 180-minute Rd values were still higher in the GLP-1 infusion study (control, 5.22 +/- 0.32 mg/kg/min; GLP-1, 6.05 +/- 0.37 mg/kg/min; p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that GLP-1 may enhance insulin sensitivity in elderly patients with diabetes.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Effect of aging and diabetes on the enteroinsular axis.

BACKGROUND: The current studies were designed to examine the effect of aging and diabetes on the enteroinsular axis. METHODS: Healthy young control subjects (n = 10 young; age 23 +/- 1 years; body mass index [BMI] 24 +/- 1 kg/m(2)), healthy elderly subjects (n = 10; age 80 +/- 2 years; BMI 26 +/- 1 kg/m(2)), and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 10; age 76 +/- 2 years; BMI 26 +/- 2 kg/m(2)) underwent a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (glucose dose 40 gm/m(2)). RESULTS: Insulin responses were not different between young controls and elderly patients with diabetes but were significantly lower in elderly patients with diabetes and young controls than in elderly controls (young control: 178 +/- 27 pM; elderly control: 355 +/- 57 pM; elderly diabetes: 177 +/- 30 pM; p <.05 elderly control vs young control and elderly diabetes). Total glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) responses were not significantly different between young and elderly controls and patients with diabetes (young control: 15 +/- 2 pM; old control: 8 +/- 2 pM; elderly diabetes: 12 +/- 3 pM; p = ns). Active GLP-1 responses were also not different between young and elderly controls and patients with diabetes (young control: 5 +/- 1 pM; old control: 6 +/- 1 pM; elderly diabetes: 7 +/- 1 pM; p = ns). However, the difference between total and active GLP levels was significantly greater in the young controls (young control: 10 +/- 2 pM; old control: 2 +/- 2 pM; elderly diabetes: 4 +/- 2 pM; p <.05, young vs elderly). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide responses were not different between young and elderly controls and between elderly controls and patients with diabetes but were significantly higher in elderly patients with diabetes than in young controls (young control: 97 +/- 12 pM; elderly control: 121 +/- 16 pM; elderly diabetes: 173 +/- 27 pM; p <.05, young vs elderly diabetes). Glucagon responses were reduced in elderly controls but were similar in young controls and elderly patients with diabetes (young control: 15 +/- 1 pM; elderly control: 9 +/- 1 pM; elderly diabetes: 16 +/- 1 pM; p <.01 elderly control vs young control and elderly diabetes). Dipeptidyl peptidase IV levels were lower in both elderly controls and patients with diabetes when compared with young controls (young control: 0.17 +/- 0.01; elderly control: 0.15 +/- 0.01; elderly diabetes: 0.15 +/- 0.01 DeltaOD/20 minutes; p <.05, elderly vs young). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that normal aging and diabetes are associated with multiple changes in the enteroinsular axis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Insertion of an N-terminal 6-aminohexanoic acid after the 7 amino acid position of glucagon-like peptide-1 produces a long-acting hypoglycemic agent.

The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) as a routine treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus is undermined by its short biological half-life. A cause of degradation is its cleavage at the N-terminal HAE sequence by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV). To protect from DPP IV, we have studied the biological activity of a GLP-1 analog in which 6-aminohexanoic acid (Aha) is inserted between histidine and alanine at positions 7 and 8. We have compared the biological activity of this new compound, GLP-1 Aha(8), with the previously described GLP-1 8-glycine (GLP-1 Gly(8)) analog. GLP-1 Aha(8) (10 nM) was equipotent with GLP-1 (10 nM) in stimulating insulin secretion in RIN 1046-38 cells. As with GLP-1 Gly(8), the binding affinity of GLP-1 Aha(8) for the GLP-1 receptor in intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the human GLP-1 receptor (CHO/GLP-1R cells) was reduced (IC(50): GLP-1, 3.7 +/- 0.2 nM; GLP-1 Gly(8), 41 +/- 9 nM; GLP-1 Aha(8), 22 +/- 7 nM). GLP-1 Aha(8) was also shown to stimulate intracellular cAMP production 4-fold above basal at concentrations as low as 0.5 nM. However, it exhibited a higher ED(50) when compared to GLP-1 and GLP-1 Gly(8) (ED(50): GLP-1, 0.036 +/- 0.002 nM, GLP-1 Gly(8), 0.13 +/- 0.02 nM, GLP-1 Aha(8), 0.58 +/- 0.03 nM). A series of D-amino acid-substituted GLP-1 compounds were also examined to assess the importance of putative peptidase-sensitive cleavage sites present in the GLP-1 molecule. They had poor binding affinity for the GLP-1 receptor, and none of these compounds stimulated the production of intracellular cAMP in CHO/GLP-1R cells or insulin secretion in RIN 1046-38 cells. GLP-1 Aha(8) (24 nmol/kg) administered sc to fasted Zucker (fa/fa) rats (mean blood glucose, 195 +/- 32 mg/dl) lowered blood glucose levels to a nadir of 109 +/- 3 mg/dl, and it remained significantly lower for 8 h. Matrix-assisted linear desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry of GLP-1 Aha(8) incubated with DPP IV (37 C, 2 h) did not exhibit an N-terminal degradation product. Taken together, these results show that insertion of Aha after the 7 position in GLP-1 produces an effective, long-acting GLP-1 analog, which may be useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Glucagon-like peptide-1 causes pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 protein translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of pancreatic beta-cells by a cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A-dependent mechanism.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) enhances insulin secretion and synthesis. It also regulates the insulin, glucokinase, and GLUT2 genes. It mediates increases in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by activating adenylyl cyclase and elevating free cytosolic calcium levels in the beta-cell. In addition, GLP-1 has been shown, both in vitro and in vivo, to be involved in regulation of the transcription factor, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 protein (PDX-1), by increasing its total protein levels, its translocation to the nucleus and its binding and resultant increase in activity of the insulin gene promoter in beta-cells of the pancreas. Here we have investigated the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in these processes in RIN 1046-38 cells. Three separate inhibitors of PKA, and a cAMP antagonist, inhibited the effects of GLP-1 on PDX-1. Furthermore, forskolin, (which stimulates adenylyl cyclase and insulin secretion), and 8-Bromo-cAMP, (an analog of cAMP which also stimulates insulin secretion), mimicked the effects of GLP-1 on PDX-1. These effects were also prevented by PKA inhibitors. Glucose-mediated increases in nuclear translocation of PDX-1 were not prevented by PKA inhibitors. Our results suggest that regulation of PDX-1 by GLP-1 occurs through activation of adenylyl cyclase and the resultant increase in intracellular cAMP, in turn, activates PKA, which ultimately leads to increases in PDX-1 protein levels and translocation of the protein to the nuclei of beta-cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Glucagon-like peptide-1.

There is a progressive impairment in beta-cell function with age. As a result, 19 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 65 is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a potent insulin secretagogue that has multiple synergetic effects on the glucose-dependent insulin secretion pathways of the beta-cell. This peptide and its longer-acting analog exendin-4 are currently under review as treatments for type 2 DM. In our work on the rodent model of glucose intolerance in aging, we found that GLP-1 is capable of rescuing the age-related decline in beta-cell function. We have shown that this is due to the ability of GLP-1 to 1) recruit beta-cells into a secretory mode; 2) upregulate the genes of the beta-cell glucose-sensing machinery; and 3) cause beta-cell differentiation and neogenesis. Our investigations into the mechanisms of action of GLP-1 began by using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay to quantify insulin secretion from individual cells of the RIN 1046-38 insulinoma cell line in response to acute treatment with the peptide. GLP-1 increases both the number of cells secreting insulin and the amount secreted per cell. This response to GLP-1 is retained even in the beta cell of the old (i.e., 22-month), glucose-intolerant Wistar rat, which exhibits a normal, first-phase insulin response to glucose following an acute bolus of GLP-1. Preincubation with GLP-1 (24 hours) potentiates glucose- and GLP-1-dependent insulin secretion and increases insulin content in the insulinoma cells. Treatment of old Wistar rats for 48 hours with GLP-1 leads to normalization of the insulin response and an increase in islet insulin content and mRNA levels of GLUT 2 and glucokinase. PDX-1, a transcriptional factor activator of these three genes, also is upregulated in the insulinoma cell line in aged rats and diabetic mice following treatment with GLP-1. Administration of GLP-1 to old rats leads to pancreatic cell proliferation, insulin-positive clusters, and an increase in beta-cell mass. This evidence led us to believe that GLP-1 is an endocrinotrophic factor. We used an acinar cell line to show that GLP-1 can directly cause the conversion of a putative pro-endocrine cell into an endocrine one. Thus, the actions of GLP-1 on the beta-cell are complex, with possible benefits to the diabetic patient that extend beyond a simple glucose-dependent increase in insulin secretion. The major limitation to GLP-1 as a clinical treatment is its short biological half-life. We have shown that the peptide exendin-4, originating in the saliva of the Gila monster, exhibits the same insulinotropic and endocrinotrophic properties as GLP-1 but is more potent and longer acting in rodents and humans.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 on non-insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the elderly patient with diabetes.

An important cause of elevated glucose levels in elderly patients with diabetes is an alteration in non-insulin-mediated glucose uptake (NIMGU). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal insulinotropic hormone. It has been proposed that this hormone also lowers glucose levels by enhancing NIMGU. This study was conducted to determine whether GLP-1 augments NIMGU in elderly patients with diabetes, a group in which NIMGU is known to be impaired. Studies were conducted on 10 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (aged 75 +/- 2 years, BMI 27 +/- 1 kg/m(2)) who underwent paired 240-min glucose clamp studies. In each study, octreotide was infused to suppress endogenous insulin release, and tritiated glucose methodology was used to measure glucose production and disposal rates. For the first 180 min, no glucose was infused. From 180 to 240 min, glucose was increased to 11 mmol/l using the glucose clamp protocol. In the GLP-1 study, GLP-1 was infused from 30 to 240 min. In a subsequent control study, insulin was infused using the glucose clamp protocol from 30 to 240 min to match the insulin levels that occurred during the GLP-1 infusion study. During hyperglycemia, GLP-1 enhanced glucose disposal (control study: 2.52 +/- 0.19 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1); GLP-1 study: 2.90 +/- 0.17 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1); P < 0.0001). Hepatic glucose output was not different between studies. We conclude that GLP-1 may partially reverse the defect in NIMGU that occurs in elderly patients with diabetes.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Glucagon-like peptide-1 induces cell proliferation and pancreatic-duodenum homeobox-1 expression and increases endocrine cell mass in the pancreas of old, glucose-intolerant rats.

Glucose homeostasis in mammals is maintained by insulin secretion from the beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans. Type 2 diabetes results either from primary beta-cell failure alone and/or a failure to secrete enough insulin to overcome insulin resistance. Here, we show that continuous infusion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) (GLP-1; an insulinotropic agent), to young and old animals, had effects on the beta-cell of the pancreas other than simply on the insulin secretory apparatus. Our previous studies on a rodent model of glucose intolerance, the aging Wistar rat, show that a plateau in islet size, insulin content, and beta-cell mass is reached at 13 months, despite a continuing increase in body weight. Continuous sc infusion of GLP-1 (1.5 pM/kg x min), over 5 days, resulted in normal glucose tolerance. Our current results in both young and old rats demonstrate that treatment caused an up-regulation of pancreatic-duodenum homeobox-1 (PDX-1) expression in islets and total pancreas, induced pancreatic cell proliferation, and beta-cell neogenesis. The effects on levels of PDX-1 messenger RNA were abrogated by simultaneous infusion of Exendin (9-39), a specific antagonist of GLP-1. PDX-1 protein levels increased 4-fold in whole pancreata and 6-fold in islets in response to treatment. Beta-cell mass increased to 7.2 +/- 0.58 from 4.88 +/- 0.38 mg, treated vs. control, respectively, P < 0.02. Total pancreatic insulin content also increased from 0.55 +/- 0.02 to 1.32 +/- 0.11 microg/mg total pancreatic protein. Therefore, GLP-1 would seem to be a unique therapy that can stimulate pancreatic cell proliferation and beta-cell differentiation in the pancreas of rodents.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Exendin-4 decelerates food intake, weight gain, and fat deposition in Zucker rats.

Exendin-4 is a 39 amino acid peptide produced in the salivary gland of the Gila monster lizard. It has a 53% amino acid homology to the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Exendin-4 induces insulin release through activation of the GLP- 1 receptor but is a much more potent insulinotropic agent than GLP-1. Of critical importance for its potential use as a treatment for diabetes is its much longer biological effect in vivo. Previous studies involving once daily administration of exendin-4 over 13 weeks to db/db mice demonstrated that it lowers hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker of mean blood glucose levels. Food consumption in the treated animals dropped over the first 4 days and then increased to a level comparable with that of the untreated animals. In this study, we initially examined the effect of once daily injections (over 14 days) on the food consumption of Zucker fatty rats. We observed an immediate reduction in food intake which then leveled off(after 5 days) to match that of the untreated animals. Subsequently we injected the same animals twice daily (treatment period of 56 days in total) and observed a sustained reduction in food intake and weight-gain. This was matched by a reduction in the critical parameters of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin. MRI imaging of the abdominal regions of the animals showed that initially only the amount of fat deposited in the sc region was reduced after 4 weeks exendin-4 treatment. At the 8-week time point there was a corresponding decrease in the amount of visceral fat deposition. The combination of appetite reduction, decreased fat deposition and an improvement in the parameters associated with glucose intolerance makes a case for the use of exendin-4 as a treatment for diabetes.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

A viscoelastic analysis of the tensile weakening of deep femoral head articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage from below the surface of the femoral head of the hip joint shows a profound age-dependent weakening in its tensile mechanical properties. This ageing is also associated with a reduced viscoelastic response in the older tissue. A constitutive model of the viscoelastic behaviour of deep articular cartilage (as discussed by Egan in 1988) is used to generate a graphical pattern which represents the mechanical behaviour. This constitutive approach suggests that the tensile weakening of the older cartilage is due to an age-related reduction in the recruitment of load-carrying structures as the tissue is deformed. The viscoelastic constitutive model also predicts a reduction in the tensile strength of deep articular cartilage with rate of deformation. This prediction is supported by experimental fracture stress data. A weakening of the tensile integrity of the microstructure of articular cartilage could make the tissue less able to sustain normal compressive physiological loading without damage and thus make the tissue more susceptible to osteoarthritic degeneration. The constitutive approach indicates that the weakening of the older tissue may be related to changes within the microstructure which determine how applied mechanical energy is stored and dissipated.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Impaired insulin secretion and increased insulin sensitivity in familial maturity-onset diabetes of the young 4 (insulin promoter factor 1 gene).

Diabetes resulting from heterozygosity for an inactivating mutation of the homeodomain transcription factor insulin promoter factor 1 (IPF-1) is due to a genetic defect of beta-cell function referred to as maturity-onset diabetes of the young 4. IPF-1 is required for the development of the pancreas and mediates glucose-responsive stimulation of insulin gene transcription. To quantitate islet cell responses in a family harboring a Pro63fsdelC mutation in IPF-1, we performed a five-step (1-h intervals) hyperglycemic clamp on seven heterozygous members (NM) and eight normal genotype members (NN). During the last 30 min of the fifth glucose step, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) was also infused (1.5 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Fasting plasma glucose levels were greater in the NM group than in the NN group (9.2 vs. 5.9 mmol/l, respectively; P < 0.05). Fasting insulin levels were similar in both groups (72 vs. 105 pmol/l for NN vs. NM, respectively). First-phase insulin and C-peptide responses were absent in individuals in the NM group, who had markedly attenuated insulin responses to glucose alone compared with the NN group. At a glucose level of 16.8 mmol/l above fasting level, GLP-1 augmented insulin secretion equivalently (fold increase) in both groups, but the insulin and C-peptide responses to GLP-1 were sevenfold less in the NM subjects than in the NN subjects. In both groups, glucagon levels fell during each glycemic plateau, and a further reduction occurred during the GLP-1 infusion. Sigmoidal dose-response curves of glucose clearance versus insulin levels during the hyperglycemic clamp in the two small groups showed both a left shift and a lower maximal response in the NM group compared with the NN group, which is consistent with an increased insulin sensitivity in the NM subjects. A sharp decline occurred in the dose-response curve for suppression of nonesterified fatty acids versus insulin levels in the NM group. We conclude that the Pro63fsdelC IPF-1 mutation is associated with a severe impairment of beta-cell sensitivity to glucose and an apparent increase in peripheral tissue sensitivity to insulin and is a genetically determined cause of beta-cell dysfunction.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed2000

Insulinotropic glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists stimulate expression of homeodomain protein IDX-1 and increase islet size in mouse pancreas.

Diabetes is caused by a failure of the pancreas to produce insulin in amounts sufficient to meet the body's needs. A hallmark of diabetes is an absolute (type 1) or relative (type 2) reduction in the mass of pancreatic beta-cells that produce insulin. Mature beta-cells have a lifespan of approximately 48-56 days (rat) and are replaced by the replication of preexisting beta-cells and by the differentiation and proliferation of new beta-cells (neogenesis) derived from the pancreatic ducts. Here, we show that the insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, which is produced by the intestine, enhances the pancreatic expression of the homeodomain transcription factor IDX-1 that is critical for pancreas development and the transcriptional regulation of the insulin gene. Concomitantly, GLP-1 administered to diabetic mice stimulates insulin secretion and effectively lowers their blood sugar levels. GLP-1 also enhances beta-cell neogenesis and islet size. Thus, in addition to stimulating insulin secretion, GLP-1 stimulates the expression of the transcription factor IDX-1 while stimulating beta-cell neogenesis and may thereby be an effective treatment for diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Glucagon-like peptide-1 does not mediate amylase release from AR42J cells.

In this study, AR42J pancreatic acinar cells were used to investigate if glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or glucagon might influence amylase release and acinar cell function. We first confirmed the presence of GLP-1 receptors on AR42J cells by reverse trasncriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and partial sequencing analysis. While cholecystokinin (CCK) increased amylase release from AR42J cells, GLP-1, alone or in the presence of CCK, had no effect on amylase release but both CCK and GLP-1 increased intracellular calcium. Similar to GLP-1, glucagon increased both cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and intracellular calcium in AR42J cells but it actually decreased CCK-mediated amylase release (n = 20, P < 0.01). CCK stimulation resulted in an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, unlike GLP-1 treatment, where no such increased phosphorylation was seen. Instead, GLP-1 decreased such protein phosphorylations. Genestein blocked CCK-induced phosphorylation events and amylase secretion while vanadate increased amylase secretion. These results provide evidence that tyrosine phosphorylation is necessary for amylase release and that signaling through GLP-1 receptors does not mediate amylase release in AR42J cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 181:470-478, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1999

Once daily injection of exendin-4 to diabetic mice achieves long-term beneficial effects on blood glucose concentrations.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 is the main hormonal mediator of the enteroinsular axis. Recently, it has additionally received considerable attention as a possible new treatment for Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Its major disadvantage is that its duration of action is too short to achieve good 24-h metabolic control. Exendin-4, which is produced in the salivary glands of Gila monster lizards, is structurally similar to glucagon-like peptide-1 and shares several useful biological properties with glucagon-like peptide-1. It binds the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, stimulates insulin release and increases the cAMP production in beta cells. We report that exendin-4 is a more potent insulinotropic agent when given intravenously to rats than is glucagon-like peptide-1 (ED50 0.19 nmol/kg for glucagon-like peptide-1 vs 0.0143 nmol/kg for exendin-4) and causes a greater elevation in cAMP concentrations in isolated islets. Of even greater interest we found that when given intraperitoneally only once daily to diabetic mice it had a prolonged effect of lowering blood glucose. After 1 week of treatment blood glucoses were 5.0+/-2.6 mmol/l compared to diabetic concentrations of 13.2+/-2.8 mmol/l. After 13 weeks of daily treatment HbA1c was 8.8+/-0.4% in non-treated diabetic animals compared with 4.7+/-0.25% in treated diabetic animals. Blood glucoses also were lower (p < 0.005) and insulin concentrations higher (p < 0.02) in the treated animals. Exendin-4 could therefore be preferable to glucagon-like peptide-1 as a long-term treatment of Type II diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Protective function of von Hippel-Lindau protein against impaired protein processing in renal carcinoma cells.

The absence of functional von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene leads to the development of neoplasias characteristic of VHL disease, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we compared the sensitivity of RCC cells lacking VHL gene function with that of RCC cells expressing the wild-type VHL gene (wtVHL) after exposure to various stresses. While the response to most treatments was not affected by the VHL gene status, glucose deprivation was found to be much more cytotoxic for RCC cells lacking VHL gene function than for wtVHL-expressing cells. The heightened sensitivity of VHL-deficient cells was not attributed to dissimilar energy requirements or to differences in glucose uptake, but more likely reflects a lesser ability of VHL-deficient cells to handle abnormally processed proteins arising from impaired glycosylation. In support of this hypothesis, other treatments which act through different mechanisms to interfere with protein processing (i.e., tunicamycin, brefeldin A, and azetidine) were also found to be much more toxic for VHL-deficient cells. Furthermore, ubiquitination of cellular proteins was elevated in VHL-deficient cells, particularly after glucose deprivation, supporting a role for the VHL gene in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Accordingly, the rate of elimination of abnormal proteins was lower in cells lacking a functional VHL gene than in wtVHL-expressing cells. Thus, pVHL appears to participate in the elimination of misprocessed proteins, such as those arising in the cell due to the unavailability of glucose or to other stresses.

Apoptosis↗