Exercise rescues the immune response fine-tuned impaired by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ deletion in macrophages

BACKGROUND

Exercise is a powerful tool for prevention and treatment of many conditions related to the cardiovascular system and also chronic low-grade inflammation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ) exerts an import role on the regulation of metabolic profile and subsequent inflammatory response, especially in macrophages.

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of 8-week moderate-exercise training on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in mice with PPARγ deficiency in myeloid cells.

METHODS

Twelve-week old mice bearing PPARγ deletion exclusively in myeloid cells (PPARγlox/lox Lys Cre ^-/+ , knockout [KO]) and littermate controls (PPARγlox/lox Lys Cre ^-/- , wild type [WT]) were submitted to 8-week exercise training (treadmill running at moderate intensity, 5 days/week). Animals were evaluated for food intake, glucose homeostasis, serum metabolites, adipose tissue and peritoneal macrophage inflammation, and basal and stimulated cytokine secretion.

RESULTS

Exercise protocol did not improve glucose metabolism or adiponectin concentrations in serum of KO mice. Moreover, the absence of PPARγ in macrophages exacerbated the proinflammatory profile in sedentary mice. Peritoneal cultured cells had higher tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion in nonstimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated conditions and higher Toll-4 receptor (TLR4) gene expression under LPS stimulus. Trained mice showed reduced TNF-α content in adipose tissue independently of the genotype. M2 polarization ability was impaired in KO peritoneal macrophages after exercise training, while adipose tissue-associated macrophages did not present any effect by PPARγ ablation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, PPARγ seems necessary to maintain macrophages appropriate response to inflammatory stimulus and macrophage polarization, affecting also whole body lipid metabolism and adiponectin profile. Exercise training showed as an efficient mechanism to restore the immune response impaired by PPARγ deletion in macrophages.

Impact of Doxorubicin Treatment on the Physiological Functions of White Adipose Tissue

White adipose tissue (WAT) plays a fundamental role in maintaining energy balance and important endocrine functions. The loss of WAT modifies adipokine secretion and disrupts homeostasis, potentially leading to severe metabolic effects and a reduced quality of life. Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used clinically because of its good effectiveness against various types of cancer. However, doxorubicin has deleterious effects in many healthy tissues, including WAT, liver, and skeletal and cardiac muscles. Our objective was to investigate the effects of doxorubicin on white adipocytes through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Doxorubicin reduced the uptake of glucose by retroperitoneal adipocytes and 3T3-L1 cells via the inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase Thr172 phosphorylation and glucose transporter 4 content. Doxorubicin also reduced the serum level of adiponectin and, to a greater extent, the expression of genes encoding lipogenic (Fas and Acc) and adipogenic factors (Pparg, C/ebpa, and Srebp1c) in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. In addition, doxorubicin inhibited both lipogenesis and lipolysis and reduced the hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose tissue triacylglycerol lipase protein levels. Therefore, our results demonstrate the impact of doxorubicin on WAT. These results are important to understand some side effects observed in patients receiving chemotherapy and should encourage new adjuvant treatments that aim to inhibit these side effects.

Topiramate effects lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Studies have shown that topiramate (TPM)-induced weight loss can be dependent on the central nervous system (CNS). However, the direct action of TPM on adipose tissue has not been tested previously. Thus, the present study aimed to examine whether TPM modulates lipolysis in 3T3-L1. The 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in 50 µM TPM for 30 min. The β-adrenergic stimulator, isoproterenol, was used as a positive control. The release of lactate dehydrogenase, non-esterified fatty acid, glycerol and incorporation of ¹⁴C-palmitate to lipid were analyzed. The phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and perilipin A, as well as the protein levels of comparative genetic identification 58 (CGI-58) were assessed. The levels of glycerol and non-esterified fatty acid increased markedly when the cells were treated with TPM. The TPM effects were similar to the isoproterenol positive control. Additionally, TPM reduced lipogenesis. These results were observed without any change in cell viability. Finally, the phosphorylation of PKA, HSL, ATGL and perilipin A, as well as the protein levels of CGI-58 were increased compared to the control cells. These results were similar to those observed in the cells treated with isoproterenol. The present results show that TPM increased the phosphorylation of pivotal lipolytic enzymes, which induced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, suggesting that this drug may act directly in the adipose tissue independent from its effect on the CNS.