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Brain-to-BAT - and Back?: Crosstalk between the Central Nervous System and Thermogenic Adipose Tissue in Development and Therapy of Obesity. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12121646. [PMID: 36552107 PMCID: PMC9775239 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12121646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The body of mammals harbors two distinct types of adipose tissue: while cells within the white adipose tissue (WAT) store surplus energy as lipids, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is nowadays recognized as the main tissue for transforming chemical energy into heat. This process, referred to as 'non-shivering thermogenesis', is facilitated by the uncoupling of the electron transport across mitochondrial membranes from ATP production. BAT-dependent thermogenesis acts as a safeguarding mechanism under reduced ambient temperature but also plays a critical role in metabolic and energy homeostasis in health and disease. In this review, we summarize the evolutionary structure, function and regulation of the BAT organ under neuronal and hormonal control and discuss its mutual interaction with the central nervous system. We conclude by conceptualizing how better understanding the multifaceted communicative links between the brain and BAT opens avenues for novel therapeutic approaches to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders.
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Meah F, Lundholm M, Emanuele N, Amjed H, Poku C, Agrawal L, Emanuele MA. The effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on the endocrine system. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:401-420. [PMID: 34460075 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09682-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
With the increase in cannabis use due to policy changes and areas of decriminalization, it is important to recognize the potential impact of these substances on endocrine processes. Cannabinoids have many effects by activating the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a role in the normal functioning of nearly every organ and consists of the body's natural endocannabinoids, the cannabinoid receptors, and the enzymes and processes that regulate endocannabinoids. Exogenous cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are known to act through cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors, and have been shown to mimic endocannabinoid signaling and affect receptor expression. This review summarizes the known impacts of cannabis on thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal function in addition to glucose control, lipids, and bone metabolism, including: reduced female fertility, increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, reduced sperm counts and function, lower thyroid hormone levels with acute use, blunting of stress response with chronic use, increased risk of prediabetes but lower risk of diabetes, suggested improvement of high density lipoproteins and triglycerides, and modest increase in fracture risk. The known properties of endocannabinoids, animal data, population data, and the possible benefits and concerns of cannabinoid use on hormonal function are discussed. The interconnectivity of the endocrine and endocannabinoid systems suggests opportunities for future therapeutic modalities which are an area of active investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Meah
- Endocrinology Section, Medical Service, VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA
| | - Michelle Lundholm
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas Emanuele
- Endocrinology Section, Medical Service, VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA
| | - Hafsa Amjed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Loyola University Health Care System, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Caroline Poku
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Loyola University Health Care System, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Lily Agrawal
- Endocrinology Section, Medical Service, VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA
| | - Mary Ann Emanuele
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Loyola University Health Care System, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
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Wargent ET, Kepczynska M, Zaibi MS, Hislop DC, Arch JRS, Stocker CJ. High fat-fed GPR55 null mice display impaired glucose tolerance without concomitant changes in energy balance or insulin sensitivity but are less responsive to the effects of the cannabinoids rimonabant or Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin on weight gain. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9811. [PMID: 32904155 PMCID: PMC7451014 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The insulin-sensitizing phytocannabinoid, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) can signal partly via G-protein coupled receptor-55 (GPR55 behaving as either an agonist or an antagonist depending on the assay). The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) inverse agonist rimonabant is also a GPR55 agonist under some conditions. Previous studies have shown varied effects of deletion of GPR55 on energy balance and glucose homeostasis in mice. The contribution of signalling via GPR55 to the metabolic effects of THCV and rimonabant has been little studied. Methods In a preliminary experiment, energy balance and glucose homeostasis were studied in GPR55 knockout and wild-type mice fed on both standard chow (to 20 weeks of age) and high fat diets (from 6 to 15 weeks of age). In the main experiment, all mice were fed on the high fat diet (from 6 to 14 weeks of age). In addition to replicating the preliminary experiment, the effects of once daily administration of THCV (15 mg kg−1 po) and rimonabant (10 mg kg−1 po) were compared in the two genotypes. Results There was no effect of genotype on absolute body weight or weight gain, body composition measured by either dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), fat pad weights, food intake, energy expenditure, locomotor activity, glucose tolerance or insulin tolerance in mice fed on chow. When the mice were fed a high fat diet, there was again no effect of genotype on these various aspects of energy balance. However, in both experiments, glucose tolerance was worse in the knockout than the wild-type mice. Genotype did not affect insulin tolerance in either experiment. Weight loss in rimonabant- and THCV-treated mice was lower in knockout than in wild-type mice, but surprisingly there was no detectable effect of genotype on the effects of the drugs on any aspect of glucose homeostasis after taking into account the effect of genotype in vehicle-treated mice. Conclusions Our two experiments differ from those reported by others in finding impaired glucose tolerance in GPR55 knockout mice in the absence of any effect on body weight, body composition, locomotor activity or energy expenditure. Nor could we detect any effect of genotype on insulin tolerance, so the possibility that GPR55 regulates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion merits further investigation. By contrast with the genotype effect in untreated mice, we found that THCV and rimonabant reduced weight gain, and this effect was in part mediated by GPR55.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward T Wargent
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mohamed Sghaier Zaibi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom
| | - David C Hislop
- Medical School, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R S Arch
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom
| | - Claire J Stocker
- Medical School, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom
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Yeh YN, Hsin KY, Zimmer A, Lin LY, Hung MS. A structure-function approach identifies L-PGDS as a mediator responsible for glucocorticoid-induced leptin expression in adipocytes. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 166:203-211. [PMID: 31129049 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Leptin is an adipokine predominantly secreted by adipocytes and has many physiological roles, including in energy homeostasis. We identified that AM630, a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) antagonist, down-regulated leptin expression in mature adipocytes differentiated from either stromal vascular fractions isolated from inguinal fat pads of C57BL/6J mice or 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. However, the leptin-suppressive effects of AM630 preserved in CB2-deficient adipocytes indicated the off-target activity of AM630 in leptin expression. Pharmacological and genetic studies, cheminformatics, and docking simulation were applied to identify the potential protein target of AM630 that modulates leptin expression in differentiated primary preadipocytes. Screening of the reported off-targets of AM630 identified a synthetic cannabinoid WIN55212-2 exerting the same function. Target deconvolution and docking simulation suggested that AM630 and WIN55212-2 were both inhibitors of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS). Further studies showed that L-PGDS positively regulates leptin expression. Although glucocorticoid and aldosterone were previously reported to induce expression of both L-PGDS and leptin, our data demonstrated that L-PGDS mediates only glucocorticoid-induced leptin expression in differentiated primary preadipocytes. No effect was observed after aldosterone treatment. This newly discovered glucocorticoid - L-PGDS - leptin pathway may provide insights into current clinical use of glucocorticoid and management of their undesired effects such as obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Nan Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yi Hsin
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa 904-0496, Japan; Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Institute for Molecular Psychiatry, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Lih-Yuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Shiu Hung
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan.
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5
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Zachut M, Kra G, Moallem U, Livshitz L, Levin Y, Udi S, Nemirovski A, Tam J. Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in subcutaneous adipose tissue in periparturient dairy cows and its association to metabolic profiles. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205996. [PMID: 30403679 PMCID: PMC6221292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue (AT) plays a major role in metabolic adaptations in postpartum (PP) dairy cows. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a key regulator of metabolism and energy homeostasis; however, information about this system in ruminants is scarce. Therefore, this work aimed to assess the eCB system in subcutaneous AT, and to determine its relation to the metabolic profile in peripartum cows. Biopsies of AT were performed at 14 d prepartum, and 4 and 30 d PP from 18 multiparous peripartum cows. Cows were categorized retrospectively according to those with high body weight (BW) loss (HWL, 8.5 ± 1.7% BW loss) or low body weight loss (LWL, 2.9 ± 2.5% BW loss) during the first month PP. The HWL had higher plasma non-esterified fatty acids and a lower insulin/glucagon ratio PP than did LWL. Two-fold elevated AT levels of the main eCBs, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), were found 4 d PP compared with prepartum in HWL, but not in LWL cows. AT levels of the eCB-like molecules oleoylethanolamide, palmitoylethanolamide, and of arachidonic acid were elevated PP compared with prepartum in all cows. The abundance of monoglyceride lipase (MGLL), the 2-AG degrading enzyme, was lower in HWL vs. LWL AT PP. The relative gene expression of the cannabinoid receptors CNR1 and CNR2 in AT tended to be higher in HWL vs. LWL PP. Proteomic analysis of AT showed an enrichment of the inflammatory pathways’ acute phase signaling and complement system in HWL vs. LWL cows PP. In summary, eCB levels in AT were elevated at the onset of lactation as part of the metabolic adaptations in PP dairy cows. Furthermore, activating the eCB system in AT is most likely associated with a metabolic response of greater BW loss, lipolysis, and AT inflammation in PP dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Zachut
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion, Israel
- * E-mail:
| | - Gitit Kra
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| | - Uzi Moallem
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| | - Lilya Livshitz
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| | - Yishai Levin
- The Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shiran Udi
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alina Nemirovski
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Joseph Tam
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Wesolowski SR, El Kasmi KC, Jonscher KR, Friedman JE. Developmental origins of NAFLD: a womb with a clue. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 14:81-96. [PMID: 27780972 PMCID: PMC5725959 DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2016.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the maternal environment leading to an altered intrauterine milieu can result in subtle insults to the fetus, promoting increased lifetime disease risk and/or disease acceleration in childhood and later in life. Particularly worrisome is that the prevalence of NAFLD is rapidly increasing among children and adults, and is being diagnosed at increasingly younger ages, pointing towards an early-life origin. A wealth of evidence, in humans and non-human primates, suggests that maternal nutrition affects the placenta and fetal tissues, leading to persistent changes in hepatic metabolism, mitochondrial function, the intestinal microbiota, liver macrophage activation and susceptibility to NASH postnatally. Deleterious exposures in utero include fetal hypoxia, increased nutrient supply, inflammation and altered gut microbiota that might produce metabolic clues, including fatty acids, metabolites, endotoxins, bile acids and cytokines, which prime the infant liver for NAFLD in a persistent manner and increase susceptibility to NASH. Mechanistic links to early disease pathways might involve shifts in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, pioneering gut microorganisms, macrophage programming and epigenetic changes that alter the liver microenvironment, favouring liver injury. In this Review, we discuss how maternal, fetal, neonatal and infant exposures provide developmental clues and mechanisms to help explain NAFLD acceleration and increased disease prevalence. Mechanisms identified in clinical and preclinical models suggest important opportunities for prevention and intervention that could slow down the growing epidemic of NAFLD in the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karim C. El Kasmi
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Colorado
| | | | - Jacob E. Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado,Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 East 17th Avenue, MS 8106, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
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Knebel B, Mack S, Lehr S, Barsch A, Schiller M, Haas J, Lange S, Fuchser J, Zurek G, Müller-Wieland D, Kotzka J. Untargeted mass spectrometric approach in metabolic healthy offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes reveals medium-chain acylcarnitine as potential biomarker for lipid induced glucose intolerance (LGIT). Arch Physiol Biochem 2016; 122:266-280. [PMID: 27373781 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2016.1197277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Offspring of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients have increased risk to develop diabetes, due to inherited genetic susceptibility that directly interferes with the individual adaption to environmental conditions. We characterise T2D offspring (OSP) to identify metabolic risk markers for early disease prediction. Plasma of metabolically healthy OSP individuals (n = 43) was investigated after an oral lipid tolerance test (oLTT) by an untargeted mass spectrometric approach for holistic metabolome analyses. Two subgroups of OSP probands can be separated by oLTT, although not differing in general clinical parameters. Analyses of the plasma metabolome revealed mainly medium-chain acylcarnitines and very long-chain fatty acids with differential abundance in the subgroups. The study presented indicates that metabolically healthy OSP of T2D patients differ upon metabolic challenging in serum metabolite composition, especially medium-chain acylcarnitines. The difference suggest that postprandial lipid induced glucose intolerance (LGIT) may serve as a further valuable marker for early diabetes prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Knebel
- a Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany
- b German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Muenchen-Neuherberg , Germany
| | - Susanne Mack
- c Institute for Diabetes Research, Department of General Internal Medicine, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Medical Faculty of Semmelweis University , Hamburg , Germany , and
| | - Stefan Lehr
- a Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany
- b German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Muenchen-Neuherberg , Germany
| | - Aiko Barsch
- d Bruker Daltonik GmbH , Bremen , Germany , and
| | - Martina Schiller
- a Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany
- b German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Muenchen-Neuherberg , Germany
| | - Jutta Haas
- c Institute for Diabetes Research, Department of General Internal Medicine, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Medical Faculty of Semmelweis University , Hamburg , Germany , and
| | - Simone Lange
- c Institute for Diabetes Research, Department of General Internal Medicine, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Medical Faculty of Semmelweis University , Hamburg , Germany , and
| | | | | | - Dirk Müller-Wieland
- e Department of Internal Medicine I , University Hospital Aachen , Aachen , Germany
| | - Jorg Kotzka
- a Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , Düsseldorf , Germany
- b German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Muenchen-Neuherberg , Germany
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Abstract
Marijuana is used by millions of people, with use likely to increase in the USA because of the trend towards increased decriminalization and legalization. Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) rates have increased dramatically in the USA over the past 30 years, with a recent estimate of 29 million individuals with DM. Because there is a plausible link between marijuana use and diabetes due to the known effects of cannabinoids on adipose tissue and glucose/insulin metabolism, it is important to study and understand how marijuana use is related to obesity and diabetes. This paper provides background on the human endocannabinoid system and studies of the association of marijuana use with body mass index/obesity, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and diabetes. The studies to date have shown that marijuana use is associated with either lower odds or no difference in the odds of diabetes than non-use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Sidney
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA.
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Farnesoid X Receptor Signaling Shapes the Gut Microbiota and Controls Hepatic Lipid Metabolism. mSystems 2016; 1:mSystems00070-16. [PMID: 27822554 PMCID: PMC5080402 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00070-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays an important role in mediating the dialog between the host and gut microbiota, particularly through modulation of enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Mounting evidence suggests that genetic ablation of Fxr in the gut or gut-restricted chemical antagonism of the FXR promotes beneficial health effects, including the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rodent models. However, questions remain unanswered, including whether modulation of FXR activity plays a role in shaping the gut microbiota community structure and function and what metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota contribute in an FXR-dependent manner to the host phenotype. In this report, new insights are gained into the metabolic contribution of the gut microbiota to the metabolic phenotypes, including establishing a link between FXR antagonism, bacterial bile salt hydrolase activity, and fermentation. Multiple approaches, including unique mouse models as well as metabolomics and genome-scale metabolic models, were employed to confirm these results. The gut microbiota modulates obesity and associated metabolic phenotypes in part through intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling. Glycine-β-muricholic acid (Gly-MCA), an intestinal FXR antagonist, has been reported to prevent or reverse high-fat diet (HFD)-induced and genetic obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver; however, the mechanism by which these phenotypes are improved is not fully understood. The current study investigated the influence of FXR activity on the gut microbiota community structure and function and its impact on hepatic lipid metabolism. Predictions about the metabolic contribution of the gut microbiota to the host were made using 16S rRNA-based PICRUSt (phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states), then validated using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics, and results were summarized by using genome-scale metabolic models. Oral Gly-MCA administration altered the gut microbial community structure, notably reducing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and its PICRUSt-predicted metabolic function, including reduced production of short-chain fatty acids (substrates for hepatic gluconeogenesis and de novo lipogenesis) in the ceca of HFD-fed mice. Metabolic improvement was intestinal FXR dependent, as revealed by the lack of changes in HFD-fed intestine-specific Fxr-null (FxrΔIE) mice treated with Gly-MCA. Integrative analyses based on genome-scale metabolic models demonstrated an important link between Lactobacillus and Clostridia bile salt hydrolase activity and bacterial fermentation. Hepatic metabolite levels after Gly-MCA treatment correlated with altered levels of gut bacterial species. In conclusion, modulation of the gut microbiota by inhibition of intestinal FXR signaling alters host liver lipid metabolism and improves obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. IMPORTANCE The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays an important role in mediating the dialog between the host and gut microbiota, particularly through modulation of enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Mounting evidence suggests that genetic ablation of Fxr in the gut or gut-restricted chemical antagonism of the FXR promotes beneficial health effects, including the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rodent models. However, questions remain unanswered, including whether modulation of FXR activity plays a role in shaping the gut microbiota community structure and function and what metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota contribute in an FXR-dependent manner to the host phenotype. In this report, new insights are gained into the metabolic contribution of the gut microbiota to the metabolic phenotypes, including establishing a link between FXR antagonism, bacterial bile salt hydrolase activity, and fermentation. Multiple approaches, including unique mouse models as well as metabolomics and genome-scale metabolic models, were employed to confirm these results.
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Rajaraman G, Simcocks A, Hryciw DH, Hutchinson DS, McAinch AJ. G protein coupled receptor 18: A potential role for endocannabinoid signaling in metabolic dysfunction. Mol Nutr Food Res 2015; 60:92-102. [PMID: 26337420 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201500449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are products of dietary fatty acids that are modulated by an alteration in food intake levels. Overweight and obese individuals have substantially higher circulating levels of the arachidonic acid derived endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, and show an altered pattern of cannabinoid receptor expression. These cannabinoid receptors are part of a large family of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs are major therapeutic targets for various diseases within the cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems, as well as metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obesity is considered a state of chronic low-grade inflammation elicited by an immunological response. Interestingly, the newly deorphanized GPCR (GPR18), which is considered to be a putative cannabinoid receptor, is proposed to have an immunological function. In this review, the current scientific knowledge on GPR18 is explored including its localization, signaling pathways, and pharmacology. Importantly, the involvement of nutritional factors and potential dietary regulation of GPR18 and its (patho)physiological roles are described. Further research on this receptor and its regulation will enable a better understanding of the complex mechanisms of GPR18 and its potential as a novel therapeutic target for treating metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Rajaraman
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna Simcocks
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Deanne H Hryciw
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dana S Hutchinson
- Department of Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J McAinch
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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11
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Masoodi M, Kuda O, Rossmeisl M, Flachs P, Kopecky J. Lipid signaling in adipose tissue: Connecting inflammation & metabolism. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2014; 1851:503-18. [PMID: 25311170 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Obesity-associated low-grade inflammation of white adipose tissue (WAT) contributes to development of insulin resistance and other disorders. Accumulation of immune cells, especially macrophages, and macrophage polarization from M2 to M1 state, affect intrinsic WAT signaling, namely anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines, fatty acids (FA), and lipid mediators derived from both n-6 and n-3 long-chain PUFA such as (i) arachidonic acid (AA)-derived eicosanoids and endocannabinoids, and (ii) specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators including resolvins derived from both eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), lipoxins (AA metabolites), protectins and maresins (DHA metabolites). In this respect, potential differences in modulating adipocyte metabolism by various lipid mediators formed by inflammatory M1 macrophages typical of obese state, and non-inflammatory M2 macrophages typical of lean state remain to be established. Studies in mice suggest that (i) transient accumulation of M2 macrophages could be essential for the control of tissue FA levels during activation of lipolysis, (ii) currently unidentified M2 macrophage-borne signaling molecule(s) could inhibit lipolysis and re-esterification of lipolyzed FA back to triacylglycerols (TAG/FA cycle), and (iii) the egress of M2 macrophages from rebuilt WAT and removal of the negative feedback regulation could allow for a full unmasking of metabolic activities of adipocytes. Thus, M2 macrophages could support remodeling of WAT to a tissue containing metabolically flexible adipocytes endowed with a high capacity of both TAG/FA cycling and oxidative phosphorylation. This situation could be exemplified by a combined intervention using mild calorie restriction and dietary supplementation with EPA/DHA, which enhances the formation of "healthy" adipocytes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxygenated metabolism of PUFA: analysis and biological relevance."
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Masoodi
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences SA, EPFL Innovation Park, bâtiment H, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Ondrej Kuda
- Department of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Rossmeisl
- Department of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Flachs
- Department of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kopecky
- Department of Adipose Tissue Biology, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic.
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Cable JC, Tan GD, Alexander SPH, O'Sullivan SE. The effects of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome on the hydrolytic enzymes of the endocannabinoid system in animal and human adipocytes. Lipids Health Dis 2014; 13:43. [PMID: 24593280 PMCID: PMC3995979 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511x-13-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Circulating endocannabinoid levels are increased in obesity and diabetes. We have shown that fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH, an endocannabinoid hydrolysing enzyme) in subcutaneous adipose tissue positively correlates with BMI in healthy volunteers. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the hydrolytic enzymes of the endocannabinoid system are affected by diabetes or metabolic syndrome in obesity. Methods Using radiolabelled substrates, FAAH and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) activities were assessed in adipocytes from various adipose depots in Zucker rats (n = 22, subcutaneous abdominal, visceral and epididymal) and bariatric patients (n = 28, subcutaneous abdominal and omental). Results FAAH activity was significantly increased in adipocytes of obese (Zucker Fatty) compared to Zucker lean rats (P < 0.05) but was not raised in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats (ZDF). MGL activity was raised in both Zucker Fatty (P < 0.001-0.01) and ZDF rats (P < 0.05) and was positively correlated with body weight and plasma glucose levels (P < 0.01). In bariatric patients (BMI range 37–58 kg.m2), there was a trend for MGL activity to correlate positively with BMI, reaching significance when type 2 diabetic patients were removed. FAAH and MGL activities in obese humans were not correlated with blood pressure, skinfold thicknesses, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, triglycerides or cholesterol levels. Conclusions FAAH in adipocytes is differentially altered in animal models of obesity and diabetes, while MGL activity is increased by both. However, in obese humans, FAAH or MGL activity in adipocytes is not affected by diabetes, dyslipidaemia or other markers of metabolic dysfunction. This suggests increased circulating levels of endocannabinoids are not a result of altered degradation in adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Saoirse E O'Sullivan
- Division of Medical Sciences & Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3DT, UK.
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13
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Simcocks AC, O'Keefe L, Jenkin KA, Mathai ML, Hryciw DH, McAinch AJ. A potential role for GPR55 in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Drug Discov Today 2013; 19:1145-51. [PMID: 24370891 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) is a putative cannabinoid receptor that is expressed in several tissues involved in regulating energy homeostasis, including the hypothalamus, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, white adipose and skeletal muscle. GPR55 has been shown to have a role in cancer and gastrointestinal inflammation, as well as in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite this, the (patho)physiological role of GPR55 in cell dysfunction is still poorly understood, largely because of the limited identification of downstream signalling targets. Nonetheless, research has suggested that GPR55 modulation would be a useful pharmacological target in metabolically active tissues to improve treatment of diseases such as obesity and T2DM. Further research is essential to gain a better understanding of the role that this receptor might have in these and other pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Simcocks
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, VIC, Australia
| | - Lannie O'Keefe
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, VIC, Australia
| | - Kayte A Jenkin
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael L Mathai
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, VIC, Australia; The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Deanne H Hryciw
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J McAinch
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, VIC, Australia.
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14
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Li Y, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Feng X, Meng H, Li S, Zhu Y, Chen S, Wang Y, Wang J, Zhang D, Jiang X, Li N, Shi B. Cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 are associated with bladder dysfunction in an experimental diabetic rat model. BJU Int 2013; 112:E143-50. [PMID: 23795792 DOI: 10.1111/bju.12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology; Jinan Second People's Hospital; Jinan; China
| | - Zhaocun Zhang
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Xiaodi Feng
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Hui Meng
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Shun Li
- Department of Urology; Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Yaofeng Zhu
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Shouzhen Chen
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Deqing Zhang
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Xuewen Jiang
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Anesthesiology; Second Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
| | - Benkang Shi
- Department of Urology; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Jinan; China
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