Vitamin D up-regulates glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation and glucose utilization mediated by cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) activation and H2S formation in 3T3L1 adipocytes

Vitamin D protects against diet-induced obesity by enhancing fatty acid oxidation

Prospective studies reported an inverse correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] plasma levels and prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, 25(OH)D status may be a determinant of obesity onset. However, the causality between these observations is not yet established. We studied the preventive effect of vitamin D3 (VD3) supplementation (15,000 IU/kg of food for 10 weeks) on onset of obesity in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. We showed that the VD3 supplementation limited weight gain induced by high-fat diet, which paralleled with an improvement of glucose homeostasis. The limitation of weight gain could further be explained by an increased lipid oxidation, possibly due to an up-regulation of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial metabolism, leading to increased energy expenditure. Altogether, these data show that VD3 regulates energy expenditure and suggest that VD3 supplementation may represent a strategy of preventive nutrition to fight the onset of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Pharmacological effects of vitamin D and its analogs: recent developments

Calcitriol, the hormonally active form of vitamin D, is well known for its diverse pharmacological activities, including modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function and reduction of inflammation. Calcitriol and its analogs exert potent effects on cellular differentiation and proliferation, regulate apoptosis and produce immunomodulatory effects. The purpose of this review is to provide information on various physiological and pharmacological activities of calcitriol and its newly discovered analogs. Special emphasis is given to skin diseases, cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. A discussion is raised on the mechanisms of action of calcitriol and its analogs in various diseases, as well as on possible methods of delivery and targeting.

Decreased cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) activity in livers of type 1 diabetic rats and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of type 1 diabetic patients

The liver plays a major role in the formation of H2S, a novel signaling molecule. Diabetes is associated with lower blood levels of H2S. This study investigated the activities of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE, the enzyme that catalyzes H2S formation) in livers of type 1 diabetic (T1D) animals and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from T1D patients. T1D is associated with both hyperketonemia (acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate) and hyperglycemia. This study also examined the role of hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia per se in decreased CSE activity using U937 monocytes and PBMC isolated from healthy subjects. Livers from streptozotocin-treated T1D rats demonstrated a significantly higher reactive oxygen species production, lower CSE protein expression and activity, and lower H2S formation compared with those of controls. Studies with T1D patients showed a decrease in CSE protein expression and activity in PBMC compared with those of age-matched normal subjects. Cell culture studies demonstrated that high glucose (25 mm) and/or acetoacetate (4 mm) increased reactive oxygen species, decreased CSE mRNA expression, protein expression, and enzymatic activity, and reduced H2S levels; however, β-hydroxybutyrate treatment had no effect. A similar effect, which was also observed in PBMC treated with high glucose alone or along with acetoacetate, was prevented by vitamin D supplementation. Studies with CSE siRNA provide evidence for a relationship between impaired CSE expression and reduced H2S levels. This study demonstrates for the first time that both hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia mediate a reduction in CSE expression and activity, which can contribute to the impaired H2S signaling associated with diabetes.

Vitamin D and energy homeostasis: of mice and men

The vitamin D endocrine system has many extraskeletal targets, including adipose tissue. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃, the active form of vitamin D, not only increases adipogenesis and the expression of typical adipocyte genes but also decreases the expression of uncoupling proteins. Mice with disrupted vitamin D action--owing to gene deletion of the nuclear receptor vitamin D receptor (Vdr) or the gene encoding 1α-hydroxylase (Cyp27b1)--lose fat mass over time owing to an increase in energy expenditure, whereas mice with increased Vdr-mediated signalling in adipose tissue become obese. The resistance to diet-induced obesity in mice with disrupted Vdr signalling is caused at least partially by increased expression of uncoupling proteins in white adipose tissue. However, the bile acid pool is also increased in these animals, and bile acids are known to be potent inducers of energy expenditure through activation of several nuclear receptors, including Vdr, and G-protein-coupled receptors, such as GPBAR1 (also known as TGR5). By contrast, in humans, obesity is strongly associated with poor vitamin D status. A causal link has not been firmly proven, but most intervention studies have failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on body weight. The reasons for the major discrepancy between mouse and human data are unclear, but understanding the link between vitamin D status and energy homeostasis could potentially be very important for the human epidemic of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

A prospective randomized controlled trial of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on long-term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus of Korea

Epidemiologic studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there is little evidence that vitamin D supplementation improves glucose intolerance. We evaluated the glucose-lowering effect of vitamin D in Korean T2DM subjects. We enrolled 158 T2DM patients who had stable glycemic control [hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <8.5%] and vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL. The participants were randomized into two groups: Placebo (100 mg daily of elemental calcium administered twice a day) or Vitamin D (1000 IU daily of cholecalciferol combined with 100 mg of elemental calcium administered twice a day). We compared outdoor physical activity, glycemic control, homeostasis model of assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and parathyroid hormone (PTH), during the 24-week intervention. We analyzed the data of 129 participants (placebo =65, vitamin D =64) who completely followed the protocol. Outdoor physical activity and oral anti-diabetic drugs did not differ between the groups. While there were significant differences in the vitamin D levels (15.6 ± 7.1 ng/mL vs 30.2 ± 10.8 ng/mL, P<0.001) and change in PTH levels (1.4 ± 15.3 pg/mL vs -5.5 ± 9.8 pg/mL, P=0.003) between the placebo and vitamin D groups, there were no differences in HbA1c (7.27 ± 0.87% vs 7.40 ± 0.90%) (P=0.415) and HOMA-IR. Serum calcium and kidney function results showed that the vitamin D supplementation was safe. While vitamin D supplementation is safe and effective in the attainment of vitamin D sufficiency, it had no effect on long-term glycemic control for T2DM in our study.

Increase or decrease hydrogen sulfide exert opposite lipolysis, but reduce global insulin resistance in high fatty diet induced obese mice

Objective

Adipose tissue expressed endogenous cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE)/hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) system. H₂S precursor inhibited catecholamine stimulated lipolysis. Thus, we hypothesized that CSE/H₂S system regulates lipolysis which contributed to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

Methods

We treated rat adipocyte with DL-propargylglycine (PAG, a CSE inhibitor), L-cysteine (an H₂S precursor) plus pyridoxial phosphate (co-enzyme) or the H₂S chronic release donor GYY4137, then the glycerol level was assayed for assessing the lipolysis. Then, the effects of PAG and GYY4137 on insulin resistance in high fatty diet (HFD) induced obese mice were investigated.

Results

Here, we found that PAG time-dependently increased basal or isoproterenol stimulated lipolysis. However, L-cysteine plus pyridoxial phosphate or GYY4137 significantly reduced it. PAG increased phosphorylated protein kinase A substrate, perilipin 1 and hormone sensitive lipase, but L-cysteine and GYY4137 decreased the parameters. In HFD induced obese mice, PAG increased adipose basal lipolysis, thus blunted fat mass increase, resulting in lowering insulin resistance evidenced by reduction of fasting glucose, insulin level, HOMA index, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) curve area and elevating the insulin tolerance test (ITT) response. GYY4137 inhibited lipolysis in vivo without increasing fat mass, but also ameliorated the insulin resistance in HFD mice.

Conclusion

These results implicated that inhibition endogenous CSE/H₂S system in adipocytes increased lipolysis by a protein kinase A-perilipin/hormone-sensitive lipase pathway, thus blunted fat mass increase and reduced insulin resistance in obese mice; giving H₂S donor decreased lipolysis, also reduced insulin resistance induced by HFD. Our data showed that increase or decrease H₂S induced opposite lipolysis, but had the same effect on insulin resistance. The paradoxical regulation may be resulted from different action of H₂S on metabolic and endocrine function in adipocyte.

Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes mellitus (D2)

Based on increasing evidence from animal and human studies, vitamin D deficiency is now regarded as a potential risk factor for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Vitamin D is involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation, conditions that contribute to the development of T2DM. Vitamin D can affect the progress of this disease directly through the activation of its own receptor, and indirectly via the regulation of calcium homeostasis. Observational studies have revealed the association between vitamin D deficiency and incident T2DM. More double-blind randomized control studies that investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and the occurrence of T2DM are needed.

Vitamin D upregulates glutamate cysteine ligase and glutathione reductase, and GSH formation, and decreases ROS and MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion in high-glucose exposed U937 monocytes

INTRODUCTION

Glutathione is a major endogenous antioxidant and its deficiency is implicated in the etiology and progression of a number of human diseases. Vitamin D is important for the prevention of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers. Using a monocyte cell model, this study examined the hypothesis that vitamin D upregulate glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC) and glutathione reductase (GR), which catalyzes GSH biosynthesis.

METHODS

U937 monocytes were pretreated with and without 1,25 (OH)₂ vitamin D (10-25 nM) for 24 h and then exposed to control and high glucose (HG, 25 mM) for 4h. Levels of GSH determined using HPLC; GR activity by oxidation of NADPH; GCLC protein, MCP-1 and IL-8 using ELISA kits.

RESULTS

1,25 (OH)₂ vitamin D supplementation significantly upregulated expression of GCLC and GR, levels of GCLC protein and GR activity, and formation of GSH in control and HG-treated monocytes. 1,25 (OH)₂ vitamin D caused significantly (p<0.05) lower secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1, and lower ROS levels in monocytes exposed to control and HG-treated monocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a positive link between vitamin D and GSH levels, and that some beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation may be mediated by an improvement in the cellular GSH levels and a decrease in ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and reduced serum vitamin D(3) levels

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and vitamin D3 deficiency are two highly prevalent pathologic conditions worldwide that share several cardiometabolic risk factors. In addition to its traditional calcium-related effects on the skeleton, vitamin D3 deficiency has now been recognized to exert nonskeletal adverse effects on several other organ systems. Accumulating epidemiological evidence suggests that low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 are associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD, independently of several potential confounders, including features of the metabolic syndrome. The molecular mechanisms of this association remain incompletely understood. A variety of biologically plausible mechanisms may mediate a hepato-protective role for the active metabolite of vitamin D3. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulates the insulin signaling pathway/insulin resistance, suppresses fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, exerts anticoagulant and profibrinolytic effects, and modulates macrophage activity and inflammatory cytokine generation. Overall, the high prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency and the plausible biological mechanisms linking this to NAFLD suggest that treatment of vitamin D3 deficiency to prevent and/or treat NAFLD is a promising field to explore. Large placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to determine whether vitamin D3 supplementation could have any potential benefit in reducing the development and progression of NAFLD.