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Siemienowicz KJ, Filis P, Thomas J, Fowler PA, Duncan WC, Rae MT. Hepatic Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Risk of Liver Disease in an Ovine Model of “PCOS Males”. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061291. [PMID: 35740312 PMCID: PMC9220073 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
First-degree male relatives of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) sufferers can develop metabolic abnormalities evidenced by elevated circulating cholesterol and triglycerides, suggestive of a male PCOS equivalent. Similarly, male sheep overexposed to excess androgens in fetal life develop dyslipidaemia in adolescence. Dyslipidaemia, altered lipid metabolism, and dysfunctional hepatic mitochondria are associated with the development of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). We therefore dissected hepatic mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism in adolescent prenatally androgenized (PA) males from an ovine model of PCOS. Testosterone was directly administered to male ovine fetuses to create prenatal androgenic overexposure. Liver RNA sequencing and proteomics occurred at 6 months of age. Hepatic lipids, glycogen, ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, and collagen were assessed. Adolescent PA males had an increased accumulation of hepatic cholesterol and glycogen, together with perturbed glucose and fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, with altered mitochondrial transport, decreased oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthesis, and impaired mitophagy. Mitochondrial dysfunction in PA males was associated with increased hepatic ROS level and signs of early liver fibrosis, with clinical relevance to NAFLD progression. We conclude that excess in utero androgen exposure in male fetuses leads to a PCOS-like metabolic phenotype with dysregulated mitochondrial function and likely lifelong health sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna J. Siemienowicz
- School of Applied Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK; (J.T.); (M.T.R.)
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK;
- Correspondence:
| | - Panagiotis Filis
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (P.F.); (P.A.F.)
| | - Jennifer Thomas
- School of Applied Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK; (J.T.); (M.T.R.)
| | - Paul A. Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (P.F.); (P.A.F.)
| | - W. Colin Duncan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK;
| | - Mick T. Rae
- School of Applied Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK; (J.T.); (M.T.R.)
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Siemienowicz KJ, Furmanska K, Filis P, Talia C, Thomas J, Fowler PA, Rae MT, Duncan WC. Pubertal FGF21 deficit is central in the metabolic pathophysiology of an ovine model of polycystic ovary syndrome. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 525:111196. [PMID: 33556473 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting over 10% of women, is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidaemia, fatty liver and adipose tissue dysfunction. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood and consequently treatment remains suboptimal. Prenatally androgenized (PA) sheep, a clinically realistic model of PCOS, recapitulate the metabolic problems associated with PCOS. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic hormone regulating lipid homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, energy balance and adipose tissue function. We therefore investigated the role of FGF21 in the metabolic phenotype of PA sheep. In adolescence PA sheep had decreased hepatic expression and circulating concentrations of FGF21. Adolescent PA sheep show decreased FGF21 signalling in subcutaneous adipose tissue, increased hepatic triglyceride content, trend towards reduced fatty acid oxidation capacity and increased hepatic expression of inflammatory markers. These data parallel studies on FGF21 deficiency, suggesting that FGF21 therapy during adolescence may represent a treatment strategy to mitigate metabolic problems associated with PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna J Siemienowicz
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK; School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK.
| | - Klaudia Furmanska
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Panagiotis Filis
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Chiara Talia
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Jennifer Thomas
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Paul A Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Mick T Rae
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - W Colin Duncan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
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Siemienowicz KJ, Coukan F, Franks S, Rae MT, Duncan WC. Aberrant subcutaneous adipogenesis precedes adult metabolic dysfunction in an ovine model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 519:111042. [PMID: 33010309 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects over 10% of women. Insulin resistance, elevated free fatty acids (FFAs) and increased adiposity are key factors contributing to metabolic dysfunction in PCOS. We hypothesised that aberrant adipogenesis during adolescence, and downstream metabolic perturbations, contributes to the metabolic phenotype of adult PCOS. We used prenatally androgenised (PA) sheep as a clinically realistic model of PCOS. During adolescence, but not during fetal or early life of PA sheep, adipogenesis was decreased in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) accompanied by decreased leptin, adiponectin, and increased FFAs. In adulthood, PA sheep developed adipocyte hypertrophy in SAT paralleled by increased expression of inflammatory markers, elevated FFAs and increased expression of genes linked to fat accumulation in visceral adipose tissue. This study provides better understanding into the pathophysiology of PCOS from puberty to adulthood and identifies opportunity for early clinical intervention to normalise adipogenesis and ameliorate the metabolic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna J Siemienowicz
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK; School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK.
| | - Flavien Coukan
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Stephen Franks
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Mick T Rae
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - W Colin Duncan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
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Siemienowicz KJ, Filis P, Shaw S, Douglas A, Thomas J, Mulroy S, Howie F, Fowler PA, Duncan WC, Rae MT. Fetal androgen exposure is a determinant of adult male metabolic health. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20195. [PMID: 31882954 PMCID: PMC6934666 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56790-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen signalling is a critical driver of male development. Fetal steroid signalling can be dysregulated by a range of environmental insults and clinical conditions. We hypothesised that poor adult male health was partially attributable to aberrant androgen exposure during development. Testosterone was directly administered to developing male ovine fetuses to model excess prenatal androgenic overexposure associated with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Such in utero androgen excess recreated the dyslipidaemia and hormonal profile observed in sons of PCOS patients. 1,084 of 15,134 and 408 of 2,766 quantifiable genes and proteins respectively, were altered in the liver during adolescence, attributable to fetal androgen excess. Furthermore, prenatal androgen excess predisposed to adolescent development of an intrahepatic cholestasis-like condition with attendant hypercholesterolaemia and an emergent pro-fibrotic, pro-oxidative stress gene and protein expression profile evident in both liver and circulation. We conclude that prenatal androgen excess is a previously unrecognised determinant of lifelong male metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panagiotis Filis
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Sophie Shaw
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alex Douglas
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Jennifer Thomas
- School of Applied Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Sally Mulroy
- School of Applied Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Forbes Howie
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Paul A Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - W Colin Duncan
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Mick T Rae
- School of Applied Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK.
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