Lipid-Induced Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle: The Chase for the Culprit Goes from Total Intramuscular Fat to Lipid Intermediates, and Finally to Species of Lipid Intermediates

Review: Nutrigenomics of marbling and fatty acid profile in ruminant meat

The present review will present the recent published results and discuss the main effects of nutrients, mainly fatty acids, on the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. In this sense, the review focuses in two phases: prenatal life and finishing phase, showing how nutrients can modulate gene expression affecting marbling and fatty acid profile in meat from ruminants. Adiposity in ruminants starts to be affected by nutrients during prenatal life when maternal nutrition affects the differentiation and proliferation of adipose cells enhancing the marbling potential. Therefore, several fetal programming studies were carried out in the last two decades in order to better understand how nutrients affect long-term expression of genes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In addition, during the finishing phase, marbling becomes largely dependent on starch digestion and glucose metabolism, being important to create alternatives to increase these metabolic processes, and modulates gene expression. Different lipid sources and their fatty acids may also influence the expression of genes responsible to encode enzymes involved in fat tissue deposition, influencing meat quality. In conclusion, the knowledge shows that gene expression is a metabolic factor affecting marbling and fatty acid profile in ruminant meat and diets and their nutrients have direct effect on how these genes are expressed.

Metabolomic analysis of longissimus from underperforming piglets relative to piglets with normal preweaning growth

Background

Recent increases in intra-litter variability in weaning weight have raised swine production costs. A contributor to this variability is the normal birth weight pig that grows at a slower rate than littermates of similar birth weight. The goal of this study was to interrogate biochemical profiles manifested in skeletal muscle originating from slow growing (SG) and faster growing littermates (control), with the aim of identifying differences in metabolic pathway utilization between skeletal muscle of the SG pig relative to its littermates. Samples of longissimus muscle from littermate pairs of pigs were collected at 21 d of age for metabolomic analysis (Metabolon, Inc., Durham, NC).

Results

Birth weights did not differ between littermate pairs of SG and Control pigs (P > 0.05). Weaning weights differed by 1.51 ± 0.19 kg (P < 0.001). Random forest (RF) analysis was effective at segregating the metabolome of muscle samples by growth rate, resulting in a predictive accuracy of 81% versus random segregation (50%). Decreases in sugars in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) in the longissimus of SG pigs were detected (P < 0.05). Decreases were also apparent in glycolytic intermediates (glycerol-3-phosphate and lactate) and key glycolysis-derived intermediates (glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate; P < 0.05). SG pigs had increased levels of phospholipids, lysolipids, diacylglycerols, and sphingolipids (P < 0.05). Pathway analysis identified a cluster of molecules associated with muscle and collagen/extracellular matrix breakdown that are increased in the SG pig (glutamate, 3-methylhistidine and hydroxylated proline moieties; P < 0.05). Nicotinate metabolism was altered in SG pigs, resulting in a 78% decrease in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pool (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These metabolomic data provide the first evidence for biochemical mechanisms that should be investigated to determine if they have a potential role in the slow growth in some normal birth weight piglets that contribute to increased intra-litter variability in weaning weights and provides essential information and potential targets for the development of nutritional intervention strategies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40104-018-0251-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength, body composition, and functional capacity are attenuated in elderly women with sarcopenic obesity

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) on body composition, muscle strength, and functional capacity in elderly women with and without sarcopenic obesity (SO).

Methods

A total of 49 women (aged ≥60 years) were divided in two groups: without SO (non-SO, n=41) and with SO (n=8). Both groups performed a periodized RT program consisting of two weekly sessions for 16 weeks. All measures were assessed at baseline and postintervention, including anthropometry and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscle strength (one repetition maximum) for chest press and 45° leg press, and functional capacity (stand up, elbow flexion, timed "up and go").

Results

After the intervention, only the non-SO group presented significant reductions in percentage body fat (-2.2%; P=0.006), waist circumference (-2.7%; P=0.01), waist-to-hip ratio (-2.3; P=0.02), and neck circumference (-1.8%; P=0.03) as compared with baseline. Muscle strength in the chest press and biceps curl increased in non-SO only (12.9% and 11.3%, respectively), while 45° leg press strength increased in non-SO (50.3%) and SO (40.5%) as compared with baseline. Performance in the chair stand up and timed "up and go" improved in non-SO only (21.4% and -8.4%, respectively), whereas elbow flexion performance increased in non-SO (23.8%) and SO (21.4%). Effect sizes for motor tests were of higher magnitude in the non-SO group, and in general, considered "moderate" compared to "trivial" in the SO group.

Conclusion

Results suggest that adaptations induced by 16 weeks of RT are attenuated in elderly woman with SO, compromising improvements in adiposity indices and gains in muscle strength and functional capacity.

The effect of diet and exercise on lipid droplet dynamics in human muscle tissue

The majority of fat in the human body is stored as triacylglycerols in white adipose tissue. In the obese state, adipose tissue mass expands and excess lipids are stored in non-adipose tissues, such as skeletal muscle. Lipids are stored in skeletal muscle in the form of small lipid droplets. Although originally viewed as dull organelles that simply store lipids as a consequence of lipid overflow from adipose tissue, lipid droplets are now recognized as key components in the cell that exert a variety of relevant functions in multiple tissues (including muscle). Here, we review the effect of diet and exercise interventions on myocellular lipid droplets and their putative role in insulin sensitivity from a human perspective. We also provide an overview of lipid droplet biology and identify gaps for future research.

Dysregulated lipid storage and its relationship with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in non-obese Asian patients with type 2 diabetes

The prevalence of non-obese type 2 diabetes in Asians is up to 50%. This review aims to summarize the role of regional fat in the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetes as well as the role of intra-pancreatic fat and β-cell dysfunction. The body fat content of non-obese Asian type 2 diabetic patients is not different from that of non-diabetic subjects but the proportion of intra-abdominal and intra-hepatic fat are greater. Visceral fat contributes to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetes. Intra-hepatic fat and the hypertrophic abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes are associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in non-obese, non-diabetic Asian subjects. It may be true in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetic patients. The role of intra-myocellular lipid and insulin resistance is uncertain. Intra-pancreatic fat may not be involved in β-cell dysfunction in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetes.

Integrative analysis of microRNAs and mRNAs revealed regulation of composition and metabolism in Nelore cattle

BACKGROUND

The amount of intramuscular fat can influence the sensory characteristics and nutritional value of beef, thus the selection of animals with adequate fat deposition is important to the consumer. There is growing knowledge about the genes and pathways that control the biological processes involved in fat deposition in muscle. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a well-conserved class of non-coding small RNAs that modulate gene expression across a range of biological functions in animal development and physiology. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, regulatory candidate genes and co-expression networks related to intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition. To achieve this, we used mRNA and miRNA expression data from the Longissimus dorsi muscle of 30 Nelore steers with high (H) and low (L) genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for IMF deposition.

RESULTS

Differential miRNA expression analysis between animals with extreme GEBV values for IMF identified six DE miRNAs (FDR 10%). Functional annotation of the target genes for these microRNAs indicated that the PPARs signaling pathway is involved with IMF deposition. Candidate regulatory genes such as SDHAF4, FBXO17, ALDOA and PKM were identified by partial correlation with information theory (PCIT), phenotypic impact factor (PIF) and regulatory impact factor (RIF) co-expression approaches from integrated miRNA-mRNA expression data. Two DE miRNAs (FDR 10%), bta-miR-143 and bta-miR-146b, which were upregulated in the Low IMF group, were correlated with regulatory candidate genes, which were functionally enriched for fatty acid oxidation GO terms. Co-expression patterns obtained by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), which showed possible interaction and regulation between mRNAs and miRNAs, identified several modules related to immune system function, protein metabolism, energy metabolism and glucose catabolism according to in silico analysis performed herein.

CONCLUSION

In this study, several genes and miRNAs were identified as candidate regulators of IMF by analyzing DE miRNAs using two different miRNA-mRNA co-expression network methods. This study contributes to the understanding of potential regulatory mechanisms of gene signaling networks involved in fat deposition processes measured in muscle. Glucose metabolism and inflammation processes were the main pathways found in silico to influence intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle in the integrative mRNA-miRNA co-expression analysis.

Low expression of IL-18 and IL-18 receptor in human skeletal muscle is associated with systemic and intramuscular lipid metabolism-Role of HIV lipodystrophy

Introduction

Interleukin (IL)-18 is involved in regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism. Mice lacking whole-body IL-18 signalling are prone to develop weight gain and insulin resistance, a phenotype which is associated with impaired fat oxidation and ectopic skeletal muscle lipid deposition. IL-18 mRNA is expressed in human skeletal muscle but a role for IL-18 in muscle has not been identified. Patients with HIV-infection and lipodystrophy (LD) are characterized by lipid and glucose disturbances and increased levels of circulating IL-18. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle IL-18 and IL-18 receptor (R) expression would be altered in patients with HIV-lipodystrophy.

Design and methods

Twenty-three HIV-infected patients with LD and 15 age-matched healthy controls were included in a cross-sectional study. Biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained and IL-18 and IL-18R mRNA expression were measured by real-time PCR and sphingolipids (ceramides, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-Phosphate, sphinganine) were measured by HPLC. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA and the insulin response during an OGTT.

Results

Patients with HIV-LD had a 60% and 54% lower level of muscular IL-18 and IL-18R mRNA expression, respectively, compared to age-matched healthy controls. Patients with HIV-LD had a trend towards increased levels of ceramide (18.3±4.7 versus 14.8±3.0,p = 0.06) and sphingosine (0.41±0.13 versus 0.32±0.07, and lower level of sphinganine (p = 0.06). Low levels of muscle IL-18 mRNA correlated to high levels of ceramides (r = -0.31, p = 0.038) and sphingosine-1P (r = -0.29, p = 0.046) in skeletal muscle, whereas such a correlation was not found in healthy controls. Low expression of IL-18 mRNA in skeletal muscle correlated to elevated concentration of circulating triglycerides (R_p = -0.73, p<0.0001). Neither muscle expression of IL-18 mRNA or ceramide correlated to parameters of insulin resistance.

Conclusion

IL-18 (mRNA) in skeletal muscle appears to be involved in the regulation of intramuscular lipid metabolism and hypertriglyceridemia.

The influence of leg positioning on the appearance and quantification of 1H magnetic resonance muscle spectra obtained from calf muscle

PURPOSE

To study proton magnetic resonance spectra (¹H-MRS) of the muscle metabolite of a leg muscle in neutral (NEU), internal rotation (INT), and external rotation (EXT) leg positioning.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The volunteers were selected for this study. The tibialis anterior (TA), soleus (SOL), and gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles of a non-dominate leg were determined by using single-voxel spectroscopy 8 × 8 × 20 mm³ in size. ¹H-MRS measurements were performed on a 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

RESULTS

The results showed that metabolite spectrum of muscle in each NEU, INT, and EXT of leg positioning were not similar. Additionally, the quantification of IMCL (CH₃) and EMCL (CH₃) is significantly different in SOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that leg positioning influences the appearance and quantification of ¹H-MRS in the calf muscle. Hence, it is necessary to pay close attention to positioning because it interferes with spectral fitting and quantification.

Microvascular insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and brain occurs early in the development of juvenile obesity in pigs

Impaired microvascular insulin signaling may develop before overt indices of microvascular endothelial dysfunction and represent an early pathological feature of adolescent obesity. Using a translational porcine model of juvenile obesity, we tested the hypotheses that in the early stages of obesity development, impaired insulin signaling manifests in skeletal muscle (triceps), brain (prefrontal cortex), and corresponding vasculatures, and that depressed insulin-induced vasodilation is reversible with acute inhibition of protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ). Juvenile Ossabaw miniature swine (3.5 mo of age) were divided into two groups: lean control ( n = 6) and obese ( n = 6). Obesity was induced by feeding the animals a high-fat/high-fructose corn syrup/high-cholesterol diet for 10 wk. Juvenile obesity was characterized by excess body mass, hyperglycemia, physical inactivity (accelerometer), and marked lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscle, with no evidence of overt atherosclerotic lesions in athero-prone regions, such as the abdominal aorta. Endothelium-dependent (bradykinin) and -independent (sodium nitroprusside) vasomotor responses in the brachial and carotid arteries (wire myography), as well as in the skeletal muscle resistance and 2A pial arterioles (pressure myography) were unaltered, but insulin-induced microvascular vasodilation was impaired in the obese group. Blunted insulin-stimulated vasodilation, which was reversed with acute PKCβ inhibition (LY333-531), occurred alongside decreased tissue perfusion, as well as reduced insulin-stimulated Akt signaling in the prefrontal cortex, but not the triceps. In the early stages of juvenile obesity development, the microvasculature and prefrontal cortex exhibit impaired insulin signaling. Such adaptations may underscore vascular and neurological derangements associated with juvenile obesity.

Association of muscle lipidomic profile with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance across five mouse strains

Different mouse strains exhibit variation in their inherent propensities to develop metabolic disease. We recently showed that C57BL6, 129X1, DBA/2 and FVB/N mice are all susceptible to high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance, while BALB/c mice are relatively protected, despite changes in many factors linked with insulin resistance. One parameter strongly linked with insulin resistance is ectopic lipid accumulation, especially metabolically active ceramides and diacylglycerols (DAG). This study examined diet-induced changes in the skeletal muscle lipidome across these five mouse strains. High-fat feeding increased total muscle triacylglycerol (TAG) content, with elevations in similar triacylglycerol species observed for all strains. There were also generally consistent changes across strains in the abundance of different phospholipid (PL) classes and the fatty acid profile of phospholipid molecular species, with the exception being a strain-specific difference in phospholipid species containing two polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains in BALB/c mice (i.e. a diet-induced decrease in the other four strains, but no change in BALB/c mice). In contrast to TAG and PL, the high-fat diet had a minor influence on DAG and ceramide species across all strains. These results suggest that widespread alterations in muscle lipids are unlikely a major contributors to the favourable metabolic profile of BALB/c mice and rather there is a relatively conserved high-fat diet response in muscle of most mouse strains.

Effect of metformin on bioactive lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant muscle

Intramuscular accumulation of bioactive lipids leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). There is lack of consensus concerning which of the lipid mediators has the greatest impact on muscle insulin action in vivo Our aim was to elucidate the effects of high-fat diet (HFD) and metformin (Met) on skeletal muscle bioactive lipid accumulation and insulin resistance (IR) in rats. We employed a [U-¹³C]palmitate isotope tracer and mass spectrometry to measure the content and fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of intramuscular long-chain acyl-CoA (LCACoA), diacylglycerols (DAG) and ceramide (Cer). Eight weeks of HFD-induced intramuscular accumulation of LCACoA, DAG and Cer accompanied by both systemic and skeletal muscle IR. Metformin treatment improved insulin sensitivity at both systemic and muscular level by the augmentation of Akt/PKB and AS160 phosphorylation and decreased the content of DAG and Cer and their respective FSR. Principal component analysis (PCA) of lipid variables revealed that altered skeletal muscle IR was associated with lipid species containing 18-carbon acyl-chain, especially with C18:0-Cer, C18:1-Cer, 18:0/18:2-DAG and 18:2/18:2-DAG, but not palmitate-derived lipids. It is concluded that the insulin-sensitizing action of metformin in skeletal muscle is associated with decreased 18-carbon acyl-chain-derived bioactive lipids.

Microglia activation due to obesity programs metabolic failure leading to type two diabetes

Obesity is an energy metabolism disorder that increases susceptibility to the development of metabolic diseases. Recently, it has been described that obese subjects have a phenotype of chronic inflammation in organs that are metabolically relevant for glucose homeostasis and energy. Altered expression of immune system molecules such as interleukins IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), serum amyloid A (SAA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), among others, has been associated with the development of chronic inflammation in obesity. Chronic inflammation modulates the development of metabolic-related comorbidities like metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, hypertension and hyperlipidemia). Recent evidence suggests that microglia activation in the central nervous system (CNS) is a priority in the deregulation of energy homeostasis and promotes increased glucose levels. This review will cover the most significant advances that explore the molecular signals during microglia activation and inflammatory stage in the brain in the context of obesity, and its influence on the development of metabolic syndrome and type two diabetes.

4-Hydroxyalkenal-activated PPARδ mediates hormetic interactions in diabetes

Activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPARδ) induces the expression of genes encoding enzymes that metabolize fatty acids and carbohydrate. Attempts to identify cellular activators of PPARδ produced large lists of various fatty acids and their metabolic derivatives; however, there is no consensus on specific and selective binding interactions of natural ligands with PPARδ. Most models on binding interactions within the ligand binding domain (LBD) of PPARδ have been derived from analyses of PPARδ-LBD crystals formed with synthetic low molecular weight ligands. Nonetheless, crystals of the whole receptor with natural ligands or of its heterodimer with its cognate retinoid X receptor (RXR) are not yet available for analysis. We have found that 4-hydroxyalkenals, non-enzymatic peroxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), namely, 4-hydroxy-2E,6Z-dodecadienal (4-HDDE) and 4-hydroxy-2E-nonenal (4-HNE), activate PPARδ in vascular endothelial cells and insulin-secreting beta cells, respectively. In both cases activated PPARδ induced adaptive responses that allowed the cells to adjust to ambient stressful metabolic conditions. This review article addresses the interactions of 4-hydroxyalkenals with PPARδ and the resulting hormetic interactions in cells exposed to nutrient overload conditions.