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Biomedical subjects

Yoshitomo Oka

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshitomo Oka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Milnacipran, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, induces appetite-suppressing effects without inducing hypothalamic stress responses in mice.

Milnacipran, a selective serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor, increases extracellular 5-HT and NA levels equally in the central nervous system. Here, we report that systemic administration of milnacipran (20-60 mg/kg) significantly suppressed food intake after fasting in C57BL6J mice. The appetite-suppressing effects of milnacipran were sustained for 5 h. Neither SB242084, a selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, nor SB224289, a selective 5-HT1B receptor antagonist, reversed the appetite-suppressing effects of milnacipran. Milnacipran suppressed food intake and body weight in wild-type mice and in A(y) mice, which have ectopic expression of the agouti protein. Moreover, milnacipran significantly increased hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) mRNA levels, while having no effect on hypothalamic neuropeptide Y, ghrelin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 mRNA levels. Interestingly, milnacipran did not increase plasma corticosterone and blood glucose levels, whereas fenfluramine, which inhibits 5-HT reuptake and stimulates 5-HT release, significantly increased plasma corticosterone and blood glucose levels in association with increased hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels. The appetite-suppressing effects of milnacipran had no effects on food intake in food-restricted, wild-type mice and A(y) mice. On the other hand, fenfluramine suppressed food intake in food-restricted wild-type mice, but it had no effects in food-restricted A(y) mice. These results suggest that inhibition of 5-HT and NA reuptake induces appetite-suppressing effects independent of 5-HT2C and 5-HT1B receptors, and increases hypothalamic POMC and CART gene expression without increasing plasma corticosterone and blood glucose levels in mice.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗
PubMed2007

Involvement of apolipoprotein E in excess fat accumulation and insulin resistance.

Although apolipoprotein E (apoE) is well known to play a major role in lipid metabolism, its role in glucose and energy homeostasis remains unclear. Herein, we established apoE-deficient genetically obese Ay (apoE(-/-);Ay/+) mice. ApoE deficiency in Ay mice prevented the development of obesity, with decreased fat accumulation in the liver and adipose tissues. ApoE(-/-);Ay/+ mice exhibited better glucose tolerance than apoE(+/+);Ay/+ mice. Insulin tolerance testing and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study revealed marked improvement of insulin sensitivity, despite increased plasma free fatty acid levels. These metabolic phenotypes were reversed by adenoviral replenishment of apoE protein, indicating circulating apoE to be involved in increased adiposity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. Uptake of apoE-lacking VLDL into the liver and adipocytes was markedly inhibited, but adipocytes in apoE(-/-);Ay/+ mice exhibited normal differentiation, suggesting that apoE-dependent VLDL transport is involved in the development of obesity, i.e., surplus fat accumulation. Interestingly, apoE(-/-);Ay/+ mice exhibited decreased food intake and increased energy expenditure. Pair-feeding experiments indicate these phenomena to both contribute to the obesity-resistant phenotypes associated with apoE deficiency. Thus, apoE is involved in maintaining energy homeostasis. ApoE-dependent excess fat accumulation is a promising therapeutic target for the metabolic syndrome.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

A novel method for evaluating human carotid artery elasticity: possible detection of early stage atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

We recently developed a novel method for evaluating the elasticity of arterial walls, the phased tracking method. Herein, we evaluated atherosclerosis of the carotid artery with this method in 242 individuals with type 2 diabetes. In multiple regression analysis of subject status, age, systolic blood pressure and hyperlipidemia were found to be independently associated with carotid artery elasticity values. We also measured currently established values for atherosclerosis, carotid artery IMT and baPWV, in these subjects. Carotid artery elasticity correlated with max IMT (r=0.291, p<0.01), plaque score (PS) (r=0.220, p<0.01) and baPWV (r=0.345, p<0.01). Elasticity, max IMT and plaque score, all correlated with the number of risk factors for atherosclerosis, i.e. hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking, in addition to diabetes, consistent with the view that these values reflect atherosclerosis. Importantly, however, in subjects with IMT <1.1mm, who are classified as not having atherosclerosis as defined by IMT criteria, only carotid artery elasticity correlated with the number of risk factors (p<0.05). These results suggest that (1) the measured carotid artery elasticity values reflect atherosclerosis and (2) our novel method has potential for detecting atherosclerosis in its early stage.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Increased hypothalamic 5-HT2A receptor gene expression and effects of pharmacologic 5-HT2A receptor inactivation in obese Ay mice.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) 2A receptors contribute to the effects of 5-HT on platelet aggregation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and are reportedly involved in decreases in plasma levels of adiponectin, an adipokine, in diabetic subjects. Here, we report that systemic administration of sarpogrelate, a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, suppressed appetite and increased hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, corticotropin releasing hormone, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT1B receptor gene expression. A(y) mice, which have ectopic expression of the agouti protein, significantly increased hypothalamic 5-HT2A receptor gene expression in association with obesity compared with wild-type mice matched for age. Systemic administration of sarpogrelate suppressed overfeeding, body weight gain, and hyperglycemia in obese A(y) mice, whereas it did not increase plasma adiponectin levels. These results suggest that obesity increases hypothalamic 5-HT2A receptor gene expression, and pharmacologic inactivation of 5-HT2A receptors inhibits overfeeding and obesity in A(y) mice, but did not increase plasma adiponectin levels.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

WFS1 protein modulates the free Ca(2+) concentration in the endoplasmic reticulum.

The WFS1 gene, encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane glycoprotein, is mutated in Wolfram syndrome characterized by diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy. Herein, Ca(2+) dynamics were examined in WFS1-knockdown and -overexpressing HEK293 cells. Studies using ER-targeted Ca(2+)-sensitive photoprotein aequorin demonstrated WFS1 protein to positively modulate ER Ca(2+) levels by increasing the rate of Ca(2+) uptake. Furthermore, Ca(2+) imaging with Fura-2 showed the magnitude of the store-operated Ca(2+) entry to parallel WFS1 expression levels. These data indicate that WFS1 protein participates in the regulation of cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, at least partly, by modulating the filling state of the ER Ca(2+) store.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Hyperphagia alters expression of hypothalamic 5-HT2C and 5-HT1B receptor genes and plasma des-acyl ghrelin levels in Ay mice.

The central melanocortin (MC) pathway is suggested to mediate satiety signaling downstream of serotonin (5-HT)2C receptors. 5-HT2C receptor mutant mice consume more food, which leads to late-onset obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. Ay mice with ectopic expression of the agouti peptide, which leads to a perturbation of the central MC pathway, develop obesity and diabetes, associated with low levels of plasma total ghrelin. Here, we report that 5-wk-old Ay mice consumed more food in association with decreases in levels of plasma des-acyl ghrelin, but not active ghrelin, and increases in hypothalamic 5-HT2C and 5-HT1B receptor gene expression compared with wild-type mice matched for age and body weight. These alterations were also observed in 8-wk-old obese Ay mice. Restricted feeding significantly decreased hypothalamic 5-HT2C and 5-HT1B receptor gene expression in association with a reversal of the decreases in plasma des-acyl ghrelin levels in 5-wk-old Ay mice. Moreover, restricted feeding reduced body weight, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycemia in association with increases in plasma des-acyl ghrelin levels in 8-wk-old obese Ay mice. Administration of m-chlorophenylpiperazine and fenfluramine, both of which induce anorexic effects via 5-HT2C receptors and/or 5-HT1B receptors, suppressed food intake in 5- and 8-wk-old Ay mice, whereas the anorexic effects were attenuated in food-restricted Ay mice. These findings suggest that the agouti peptide down-regulates hypothalamic 5-HT2C and 5-HT1B receptor gene expression under restricted feeding conditions, whereas chronic hyperphagia increases the expression of these genes and decreases plasma des-acyl ghrelin levels in Ay mice.

Agouti Signaling Protein↗
PubMed2006

Neuronal pathway from the liver modulates energy expenditure and systemic insulin sensitivity.

Coordinated control of energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis requires communication between organs and tissues. We identified a neuronal pathway that participates in the cross talk between the liver and adipose tissue. By studying a mouse model, we showed that adenovirus-mediated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-g2 in the liver induces acute hepatic steatosis while markedly decreasing peripheral adiposity. These changes were accompanied by increased energy expenditure and improved systemic insulin sensitivity. Hepatic vagotomy and selective afferent blockage of the hepatic vagus revealed that the effects on peripheral tissues involve the afferent vagal nerve. Furthermore, an antidiabetic thiazolidinedione, a PPARg agonist, enhanced this pathway. This neuronal pathway from the liver may function to protect against metabolic perturbation induced by excessive energy storage.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

Induction of hypothalamic serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase-1 gene expression and its relation to plasma des-acyl ghrelin in energy homeostasis in mice.

Serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase (SGK) is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that is transcriptionally regulated by serum, glucocorticoids, and mineral corticoids. Here, we report that fasting or obesity with hyperphagia increased hypothalamic SGK-1 gene expression. Hypothalamic SGK-1 mRNA levels were proportional to daily food intake and body weights in C57BL6J mice, KK mice, and KKA(y) mice matched for age. Plasma des-acyl ghrelin, but not active ghrelin, levels were inversely proportional to daily food intake and body weights among these animals. The increases in hypothalamic SGK-1 gene expression in these animals were not accompanied by increases in plasma corticosterone levels. Under conditions of increased energy usage such as fasting, hypothalamic SGK-1 gene expression and plasma des-acyl ghrelin levels were positively correlated while during conditions of increased energy storage, they were negatively correlated. These results suggest that hypothalamic SGK-1 gene is a novel candidate gene involving in energy homeostasis in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

WFS1-deficiency increases endoplasmic reticulum stress, impairs cell cycle progression and triggers the apoptotic pathway specifically in pancreatic beta-cells.

Wolfram syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder associated with diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy, is caused by mutations in the WFS1 gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein. Herein, we report that pancreatic islets of wfs1-deficient mice exhibit increases in phosphorylation of RNA-dependent protein kinase-like ER kinase, chaperone gene expressions and active XBP1 protein levels, indicating an enhanced ER stress response. We established wfs1-deficient MIN6 clonal beta-cells by crossing wfs1-deficient mice with mice expressing simian virus 40 large T antigen in beta-cells. These cells show essentially the same alterations in ER stress responses as wfs1-deficient islets, which were reversed by re-expression of WFS1 protein or overexpression of GRP78, a master regulator of the ER stress response. In contrast, these changes are not observed in heart, skeletal muscle or brown adipose tissues with WFS1-deficiency. The increased ER stress response was accompanied by reduced BrdU incorporation and increased caspase-3 cleavage, indicating impaired cell cycle progression and accelerated apoptotic processes in the mutant islets. These changes are associated with increased expression of the cell cycle regulator p21(CIP1) in wfs1-deficient islets and clonal beta-cells. Treatment of islets with thapsigargin, an ER stress inducer, caused upregulation of p21(CIP1). In addition, forced expression of p21(CIP1) resulted in reduced MIN6 beta-cell numbers, suggesting the ER stress-induced increase in p21(CIP1) expression to be involved in beta-cell loss in the mutant islets. These data indicate that WFS1-deficiency activates the ER stress response specifically in beta-cells, causing beta-cell loss through impaired cell cycle progression and increased apoptosis.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
PubMed2006

A negative feedback system between brain serotonin systems and plasma active ghrelin levels in mice.

Brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) systems contribute to regulate eating behavior and energy homeostasis. 5-HT2C receptors and 5-HT1B receptors have been shown to mediate anorexic effects of 5-HT drugs such as d-fenfluramine, which stimulates 5-HT release and inhibits 5-HT reuptake, and m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), a 5-HT2C receptor agonist. Here, we report that 24-h fasting increased the expression of hypothalamic 5-HT2C receptor and 5-HT1B receptor genes in association with increases in plasma active ghrelin levels compared with fed state in mice. Treatment with mCPP or fenfluramine significantly inhibited the increases in plasma active ghrelin levels. mCPP or fenfluramine significantly increased the expression of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript genes while having no significant effects on the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y, agouti- related protein, and ghrelin genes. These results suggest that there is a negative feedback system between brain 5-HT systems and plasma active ghrelin levels in energy homeostasis in mice.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Signals from intra-abdominal fat modulate insulin and leptin sensitivity through different mechanisms: neuronal involvement in food-intake regulation.

Intra-abdominal fat accumulation is involved in development of the metabolic syndrome, which is associated with insulin and leptin resistance. We show here that ectopic expression of very low levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in epididymal fat (Epi) reverses both insulin and leptin resistance. UCP1 expression in Epi improved glucose tolerance and decreased food intake in both diet-induced and genetically obese mouse models. In contrast, UCP1 expression in Epi of leptin-receptor mutant mice did not alter food intake, though it significantly decreased blood glucose and insulin levels. Thus, hypophagia induction requires a leptin signal, while the improved insulin sensitivity appears to be leptin independent. In wild-type mice, local-nerve dissection in the epididymis or pharmacological afferent blockade blunted the decrease in food intake, suggesting that afferent-nerve signals from intra-abdominal fat tissue regulate food intake by modulating hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. These novel signals are potential therapeutic targets for the metabolic syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cold exposure suppresses serum adiponectin levels through sympathetic nerve activation in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Several lines of evidence suggest important roles for adiponectin in glucose and lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms regulating serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin production are still not completely understood. Our aim was to determine whether adiponectin synthesis is physiologically regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Mice were exposed to cold (4 degrees C) for 12 hours and for 24 hours with or without inhibition of noradrenaline synthesis or pan-beta adrenergic function, followed by measurement of serum adiponectin concentrations and levels of adiponectin and uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 expressions in various white adipose tissues (WATs). RESULTS: Cold exposure significantly reduced serum adiponectin concentrations without changing body weights or WAT sizes in either subcutaneous or intra-abdominal fat tissues. The serum adiponectin reduction was associated with a decrease in adiponectin mRNA expression in subcutaneous, epididymal, and mesenteric fat tissues. In these adipose tissues, UCP1 expression was markedly enhanced, suggesting SNS activation in these tissues. Administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine or a combination of SR59230A and propranolol reversed the cold-exposure-induced decreases in serum adiponectin concentrations and adiponectin mRNA expression in these tissues. In contrast, in retroperitoneal fat, the effects of cold exposure on adiponectin and UCP1 expressions were strikingly weak but were not reversed by SNS inhibitors. DISCUSSION: SNS physiologically regulates serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin synthesis in WATs in vivo, although responsiveness to SNS stimulation differs markedly among WATs. Sympathetic activation might be involved in development of the metabolic syndrome by modulation of serum adiponectin concentrations.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

Association studies of variants in the genes involved in pancreatic beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes in Japanese subjects.

Because impaired insulin secretion is characteristic of type 2 diabetes in Asians, including Japanese, the genes involved in pancreatic beta-cell function are candidate susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes. We examined the association of variants in genes encoding several transcription factors (TCF1, TCF2, HNF4A, ISL1, IPF1, NEUROG3, PAX6, NKX2-2, NKX6-1, and NEUROD1) and genes encoding the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel subunits Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) and SUR1 (ABCC8) with type 2 diabetes in a Japanese cohort of 2,834 subjects. The exon 16 -3c/t variant rs1799854 in ABCC8 showed a significant association (P = 0.0073), and variants in several genes showed nominally significant associations (P < 0.05) with type 2 diabetes. Although the E23K variant rs5219 in KCNJ11 showed no association with diabetes in Japanese (for the K allele, odds ratio [OR] 1.08 [95% CI 0.97-1.21], P = 0.15), 95% CI around the OR overlaps in meta-analysis of European populations, suggesting that our results are not inconsistent with the previous studies. This is the largest association study so far conducted on these genes in Japanese and provides valuable information for comparison with other ethnic groups.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2006

Long-term clinical effects of epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy: the 3-year, multicenter, comparative Aldose Reductase Inhibitor-Diabetes Complications Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects with diabetic neuropathy, median motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) >or=40 m/s, and HbA(1c) <or=9% were enrolled in this open-label, multicenter study and randomized to 150 mg/day epalrestat or a control group. After excluding the withdrawals, 289 (epalrestat group) and 305 (control group) patients were included in the analyses. The primary end point was change from baseline in median MNCV at 3 years. Secondary end points included assessment of other somatic nerve function parameters (minimum F-wave latency [MFWL] of the median motor nerve and vibration perception threshold [VPT]), cardiovascular autonomic nerve function, and subjective symptoms. RESULTS: Over the 3-year period, epalrestat prevented the deterioration of median MNCV, MFWL, and VPT seen in the control group. The between-group difference in change from baseline in median MNCV was 1.6 m/s (P < 0.001). Although a benefit with epalrestat was observed in cardiovascular autonomic nerve function variables, this did not reach statistical significance compared with the control group. Numbness of limbs, sensory abnormality, and cramping improved significantly with epalrestat versus the control group. The effects of epalrestat on median MNCV were most evident in subjects with better glycemic control and with no or mild microangiopathies. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with epalrestat is well tolerated and can effectively delay the progression of diabetic neuropathy and ameliorate the associated symptoms of the disease, particularly in subjects with good glycemic control and limited microangiopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[The relationship of autonomic functional disturbance and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes].

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the autonomic nerve disturbance and atherosclerotic changes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Aortic distensibility and max carotid intima-media thickness (Max IMT) were evaluated using brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) and high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography, respectively, in 135 patients (69 men, 66 women, 57 +/- 16 years) with type 2 diabetes. The autonomic neuropathy was evaluated using coefficient of variation of the RR interval (CV(R-R)) of electrocardiograms recorded at rest in a supine position. There was a significant negative correlation between CV(R-R)and Max IMT (r= -0.488, p< 0001). There were also significant negative correlations between CVR-(R a)nd the left and the right PWV(r=0.518, p<0.001; r=0.551, p<0.001, respectively). Patients with normal Max IMT, but decreased CVR-R, had a high PWV compared to patients with normal Max IMT and normal CVR-(R. )Therefore, decreased CVR-(R i)n type 2 diabetic patients may reflect atherosclerotic changes. Thus, the measurement of CVR-(R i)s a simple and quantitative test for assessing atherosclerotic as well as neuropathic complications in diabetic patients.

Atherosclerosis↗