Ip3r-Grp75-Vdac and Relevant Ca2+ Signaling Regulate Dietary Palmitic Acid-Induced De Novo Lipogenesis by Mitochondria-Associated ER Membrane (MAM) Recruiting Seipin in Yellow Catfish

BACKGROUND

The mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) is the central hub for endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria functional communication. It plays a crucial role in hepatic lipid homeostasis. However, even though MAM has been acknowledged to be rich in enzymes that contribute to lipid biosynthesis, no study has yet investigated the exact role of MAM on hepatic neutral lipid synthesis.

OBJECTIVES

To address these gaps, this study investigated the systemic control mechanisms of MAM on neutral lipids synthesis by recruiting seipin, focusing on the role of the inositol trisphosphate receptor-1,4,5(Ip3r)-75 kDa glucose-regulated protein (Grp75)-voltage-dependent anion channel (Vdac) complex and their relevant Ca2+ signaling in this process.

METHODS

To this end, a model animal for lipid metabolism, yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), were fed 6 different diets containing a range of palmitic acid (PA) concentrations from 0-150 g/kg in vivo for 10 wk. In vitro, experiments were also conducted to intercept the MAM-mediated Ca2+ signaling in isolated hepatocytes by transfecting them with si-mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mcu). Because mcu was placed in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), si-mcu cannot disrupt MAM's structural integrity.

RESULTS

1. Hepatocellular MAM subproteome analysis indicated excessive dietary PA intake enhanced hepatic MAM structure joined by activating Ip3r-Grp75-Vdac complexes. 2. Dietary PA intake induced hepatic neutral lipid accumulation through MAM recruiting Seipin, which activated lipid droplet biogenesis. Our findings also revealed a previously unidentified mechanism whereby MAM-recruited seipin and controlled hepatic lipid homeostasis, depending on Ip3r-Grp75-Vdac-controlled Ca2+ signaling and not only MAM's structural integrity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results offer a novel insight into the MAM-recruited seipin in controlling hepatic lipid synthesis in a MAM structural integrity-dependent and Ca2+ signaling-dependent manner, highlighting the critical contribution of MAM in maintaining hepatic neutral lipid homeostasis.

Periodontitis exacerbates atherosclerosis through Fusobacterium nucleatum-promoted hepatic glycolysis and lipogenesis

AIMS

Positive associations between periodontitis (PD) and atherosclerosis have been established, but the causality and mechanisms are not clear. We aimed to explore the causal roles of PD in atherosclerosis and dissect the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A mouse model of PD was established by ligation of molars in combination with application of subgingival plaques collected from PD patients and then combined with atherosclerosis model induced by treating atheroprone mice with a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). PD significantly aggravated atherosclerosis in HCD-fed atheroprone mice, including increased en face plaque areas in whole aortas and lesion size at aortic roots. PD also increased circulating levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, hepatic levels of cholesterol, and hepatic expression of rate-limiting enzymes for lipogenesis. Using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing, Fusobacterium nucleatum was identified as the most enriched PD-associated pathobiont that is present in both the oral cavity and livers. Co-culture experiments demonstrated that F. nucleatum directly stimulated lipid biosynthesis in primary mouse hepatocytes. Moreover, oral inoculation of F. nucleatum markedly elevated plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and promoted atherogenesis in HCD-fed ApoE-/- mice. Results of RNA-seq and Seahorse assay indicated that F. nucleatum activated glycolysis, inhibition of which by 2-deoxyglucose in turn suppressed F. nucleatum-induced lipogenesis in hepatocytes. Finally, interrogation of the molecular mechanisms revealed that F. nucleatum-induced glycolysis and lipogenesis by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway in hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

PD exacerbates atherosclerosis and impairs lipid metabolism in mice, which may be mediated by F. nucleatum-promoted glycolysis and lipogenesis through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling in hepatocytes. Treatment of PD and specific targeting of F. nucleatum are promising strategies to improve therapeutic effectiveness of hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis.

Indole alkaloids of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. alleviated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed with high-fat diet

Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br (Apocynaceae) is a well-documented medicinal plant for treating respiratory diseases, liver diseases and diabetes traditionally. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of TA on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A NAFLD model was established using mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and administered with TA (7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg) orally for 6 weeks. The biochemical parameters, expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes or proteins were analyzed. Furthermore, histopathological examinations were evaluated with Hematoxylin-Eosin and MASSON staining. TA treatment significantly decreased the bodyweight of HFD mice. The concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also decreased significantly in TA-treated mice group, accompanied by an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Furthermore, TA alleviated hepatic steatosis injury and lipid droplet accumulation of liver tissues. The liver mRNA levels involved in hepatic lipid synthesis such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C (SREBP-1C), regulators of liver X receptor α (LXRα), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)γ, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1) and stearyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase-1 (SCD1), were markedly decreased, while the expressions involved in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation, PPARα, carnitine palmitoyl transterase 1 (CPT1A), and acyl coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACOX1) were increased in TA-treated mice. TA might attenuate NAFLD by regulating hepatic lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation.

Estrogen-related receptor γ controls sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c expression and alcoholic fatty liver

Although SREBP-1c regulates key enzymes required for hepatic de novo lipogenesis, the mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation of SREBP-1c in pathogenesis of alcoholic fatty liver is still incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the role of ERRγ in alcohol-mediated hepatic lipogenesis and examined the possibility to ameliorate alcoholic fatty liver through its inverse agonist. Hepatic ERRγ and SREBP-1c expression was increased by alcohol-mediated activation of CB₁ receptor signaling. Deletion and mutation analyses of the Srebp-1c gene promoter showed that ERRγ directly regulates Srebp-1c gene transcription via binding to an ERR-response element. Overexpression of ERRγ significantly induced SREBP-1c expression and fat accumulation in liver of mice, which were blocked in Srebp-1c-knockout hepatocytes. Conversely, liver-specific ablation of ERRγ gene expression attenuated alcohol-mediated induction of SREBP-1c expression. Finally, an ERRγ inverse agonist, GSK5182, significantly ameliorates fatty liver disease in chronically alcohol-fed mice through inhibition of SREBP-1c-mediated fat accumulation. ERRγ mediates alcohol-induced hepatic lipogenesis by upregulating SREBP-1c expression, which can be blunted by the inverse agonist for ERRγ, which may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver disease in human.

Evaluation of hepatic lipogenesis and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed mountain celery

Background

Fatness is an unwanted side effect of genetic selection in broiler chickens. In this study, we introduce mountain celery powder as a feed supplement to suppress lipogenesis and improve antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were fed a control diet or a diet that includes mountain celery (MC) at 7.5 gkg⁻¹over 42 days.

Results

Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio significantly (P < 0.05) improved in chicks fed MC. A highly significant down-regulation of genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis including acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was observed in the liver of chickens fed MC. These birds, however, had greater compensatory upregulation in antioxidative genes SOD1 and catalase in the liver compared to the birds that received the control diet. Birds received MC had significantly lower level of lipid peroxidation (1.59 μmol/L serum malondialdehyde) compared to birds from the control group (3.57 μmol/L; P = 0.0024). Birds fed MC had significantly (P < 0.05) lower circulatory concentrations of triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and LDL but higher concentrations of HDL. Relative liver weight and abdominal fat deposition were significantly reduced by feeding MC.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that feeding birds MC significantly suppresses hepatic lipogenesis by down-regulating key hepatic lipogenic enzyme genes and boosts antioxidant capacity by up-regulating hepatic antioxidantive genes.

Blocking of STAT-3/SREBP1-mediated glucose-lipid metabolism is involved in dietary phytoestrogen-inhibited ovariectomized-induced body weight gain in rats

Postmenopausal women have a decline in circulating estrogen levels and are more prone to obesity and its related metabolic diseases than premenopausal women are. The absence of safe and effective conventional treatments for postmenopausal obesity has changed the focus to natural products as alternative remedies. Here, ovariectomized rats and LO2 cells were used to study the molecular basis of the effect of dietary phytoestrogens on body weight gain and hepatic steatosis. Dietary phytoestrogens can inhibit ovariectomy (OVX)-induced body weight gain, blood glucose concentration, expression of hepatic lipogenic genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)1, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)1, and decrease liver triglyceride (TG) content, but later estradiol withdrawal increased expression of SREBP1. Histological analysis of liver showed that dietary phytoestrogens improved OVX-induced morphological abnormalities. OVX and high glucose-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 were inhibited by phytoestrogens treatment. In LO2 cells, inhibition of STAT-3 by siRNA attenuated the increased TG content and expression of SREBP1 induced by high glucose. Phytoestrogens reduced the upregulation of SREBP1 and TG induced by high glucose in LO2 cells. In conclusion, these findings illustrated that dietary phytoestrogens markedly alleviated the derangement of lipid metabolism. The underlying mechanism is probably associated with regulating STAT-3/SREBP1 signaling.

Oral administration of palatinose vs sucrose improves hyperglycemia in normal C57BL/6J mice

Palatinose is a sucrose analog with a slower digestion rate than that of sucrose. For this reason, palatinose shows better effects on hepatic lipogenesis and cholesterol homeostasis compared with sucrose. We hypothesized that supplementation with palatinose instead of sucrose improves postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in mice. Herein, we compared the digestion rates in vitro and observed physiological changes in vivo between sucrose- and palatinose-containing diets given to mice. Palatinose was hydrolyzed only by enzymes of the small intestine and was digested more slowly compared with sucrose in vitro. In mice, a diet containing palatinose resulted in significantly lower body weight gain and food efficiency rate values than those given a diet with sucrose. In this study, changes in serum biochemistry; hepatic fatty acid synthesis; cholesterol homeostasis; glucogenic, proinflammatory cytokines; and oxidative stress-related genes and proteins in the palatinose- and sucrose-fed mice were measured. Compared with the mice fed the sucrose diet, the palatinose diet resulted in lower serum glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol levels, as well as lower expression of several lipogenesis-related genes and proteins. Histological analysis of hepatic cells of palatinose-fed mice showed normal morphology. In conclusion, palatinose intake results in lower hepatic lipogenesis and better cholesterol homeostasis than the effects from sucrose.

Green tea polyphenols ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through upregulating AMPK activation in high fat fed Zucker fatty rats

AIM

To investigate protective effects and molecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats.

METHODS

Male ZF rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 wk then treated with GTP (200 mg/kg) or saline (5 mL/kg) for 8 wk, with Zucker lean rat as their control. At the end of experiment, serum and liver tissue were collected for measurement of metabolic parameters, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), inflammatory cytokines and hepatic triglyceride and liver histology. Immunoblotting was used to detect phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c).

RESULTS

Genetically obese ZF rats on a HFD presented with metabolic features of hepatic pathological changes comparable to human with NAFLD. GTP intervention decreased weight gain (10.1%, P = 0.052) and significantly lowered visceral fat (31.0%, P < 0.01). Compared with ZF-controls, GTP treatment significantly reduced fasting serum insulin, glucose and lipids levels. Reduction in serum ALT and AST levels (both P < 0.01) were observed in GTP-treated ZF rats. GTP treatment also attenuated the elevated TNFα and IL-6 in the circulation. The increased hepatic TG accumulation and cytoplasmic lipid droplet were attenuated by GTP treatment, associated with significantly increased expression of AMPK-Thr172 (P < 0.05) and phosphorylated ACC and SREBP1c (both P < 0.05), indicating diminished hepatic lipogenesis and triglycerides out flux from liver in GTP treated rats.

CONCLUSION

The protective effects of GTP against HFD-induced NAFLD in genetically obese ZF rats are positively correlated to reduction in hepatic lipogenesis through upregulating the AMPK pathway.

Hepatic B cell leukemia-3 promotes hepatic steatosis and inflammation through insulin-sensitive metabolic transcription factors

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The pathomechanisms underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the involved molecular regulators are incompletely explored. The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-cofactor gene B cell leukemia-3 (Bcl-3) plays a critical role in altering the transcriptional capacity of NF-κB - a key inducer of inflammation - but also of genes involved in cellular energy metabolism.

METHODS

To define the role of Bcl-3 in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), we developed a novel transgenic mouse model with hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Bcl-3 (Bcl-3^Hep) and employed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate dietary feeding model. To characterize the transgenic model, deep RNA sequencing was performed. The relevance of the findings was confirmed in human liver samples.

RESULTS

Hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Bcl-3 led to pronounced metabolic derangement, characterized by enhanced hepatic steatosis from increased de novo lipogenesis and uptake, as well as decreased hydrolysis and export of fatty acids. Steatosis in Bcl-3^Hep mice was accompanied by an augmented inflammatory milieu and liver cell injury. Moreover, Bcl-3 expression decreased insulin sensitivity and resulted in compensatory regulation of insulin-signaling pathways. Based on in vivo and in vitro studies we identified the transcription factors PPARα, PPARγ and PGC-1α as critical regulators of hepatic metabolism and inflammation downstream of Bcl-3. Metformin treatment improved the metabolic and inflammatory phenotype in Bcl-3^Hep mice through modulation of PPARα and PGC-1α. Remarkably, these findings were recapitulated in human NASH, which exhibited increased expression and nuclear localization of Bcl-3.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, Bcl-3 emerges as a novel regulator of hepatic steatosis, insulin sensitivity and inflammation in NASH.

LAY SUMMARY

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. Patients can develop end-stage liver disease resulting in liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, but also develop complications unrelated to liver disease, e.g., cardiovascular disease. Still there is no full understanding of the mechanisms that cause NAFLD. In this study, genetically engineered mice were employed to examine the role of a specific protein in the liver that is involved in inflammation and the metabolism, namely Bcl-3. By this approach, a better understanding of the mechanisms contributing to disease progression was established. This can help to develop novel therapeutic and diagnostic options for patients with NAFLD.

Tumor suppressor Menin acts as a corepressor of LXRα to inhibit hepatic lipogenesis

Menin, encoded by the MEN1 gene, was initially identified as a tumor suppressor for endocrine neoplasia. Our previous report showed that Menin enhances PPARα transactivity preventing triglyceride accumulation in the liver. Here, we further explore the role of Menin in liver steatosis. Transient transfection assays demonstrate that Menin inhibits the transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor liver X receptor α (LXRα). Accordingly, Menin overexpression results in reduced expression of LXRα target genes, such as lipogenic enzymes including SREBP-1c, FASN and SCD-1. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed physical interaction between Menin and LXRα. Collectively, our data suggest that Menin acts as a novel corepressor of LXRα and functions as a negative regulator of hepatic lipogenesis.

Liver X receptors and liver diseases

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, which have important roles in cholesterol metabolism, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and inflammatory reactions. Although liver X receptors are expected to become targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic hepatitis, viral hepatitis and other liver diseases, they may lead to liver steatosis. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the direct target genes of LXRs for regulation of cholesterol metabolism and inflammatory reactions and find specific LXRs agonists or antagonists.

Deletion of circadian gene Per1 alleviates acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The severity of ethanol-induced liver injury is associated with oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in the liver. Core circadian clock is known to mediate antioxidative enzyme activity and lipid metabolism. However, the link between circadian clock and ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity remains unclear. Here we showed that extents of acute ethanol-induced liver injury and steatosis in mice exhibit circadian variations consistent with hepatic expression of Period (Per) genes. Mice lacking clock gene Per1 displayed less susceptible to ethanol-induced liver injury, as evidenced by lower serum transaminase activity and less severe histopathological changes. Ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation was alleviated in Per1-/- mice. However, Per1 deletion had no effect on antioxidants depletion caused by ethanol administration. Ethanol-induced triglycerides (TG) accumulation in the serum and liver was significantly decreased in Per1-/- mice compared with that in wild-type (WT) mice. Analysis of gene expression in the liver revealed peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and its target genes related to TG synthesis are remarkably down-regulated in Per1-/- mice. HepG2 cells were treated with ethanol at 150 mM for 3 days. Per1 overexpression augmented lipid accumulation after treatment with ethanol in HepG2 cells, but had no effect on ethanol-induced oxidative stress. Expression of genes related to lipogenesis, including PPARγ and its target genes, was up-regulated in cells overexpressing Per1. In conclusion, these results indicated that circadian rhythms of ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity are controlled by clock gene Per1, and deletion of Per1 protected mice from ethanol-induced liver injury by decreasing hepatic lipid accumulation.

Resveratrol inhibits LXRα-dependent hepatic lipogenesis through novel antioxidant Sestrin2 gene induction

Liver X receptor-α (LXRα), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors, regulates de novo fatty acid synthesis that leads to stimulate hepatic steatosis. Although, resveratrol has beneficial effects on metabolic disease, it is not known whether resveratrol affects LXRα-dependent lipogenic gene expression. This study investigated the effect of resveratrol in LXRα-mediated lipogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanism. Resveratrol inhibited the ability of LXRα to activate sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and thereby inhibited target gene expression in hepatocytes. Moreover, resveratrol decreased LXRα-RXRα DNA binding activity and LXRE-luciferase transactivation. Resveratrol is known to activate Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), although its precise mechanism of action remains controversial. We found that the ability of resveratrol to repress T0901317-induced SREBP-1c expression was not dependent on AMPK and Sirt1. It is well established that hepatic steatosis is associated with antioxidant and redox signaling. Our data showing that expression of Sestrin2 (Sesn2), which is a novel antioxidant gene, was significantly down-regulated in the livers of high-fat diet-fed mice. Moreover, resveratrol up-regulated Sesn2 expression, but not Sesn1 and Sesn3. Sesn2 overexpression repressed LXRα-activated SREBP-1c expression and LXRE-luciferase activity. Finally, Sesn2 knockdown using siRNA abolished the effect of resveratrol in LXRα-induced FAS luciferase gene transactivation. We conclude that resveratrol affects Sesn2 gene induction and contributes to the inhibition of LXRα-mediated hepatic lipogenesis.