Long-term food restriction prevents ageing-associated central leptin resistance in wistar rats

The Role of Cdc42 in the Insulin and Leptin Pathways Contributing to the Development of Age-Related Obesity

Age-related obesity significantly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and certain cancers. The insulin-leptin axis is crucial in understanding metabolic disturbances associated with age-related obesity. Rho GTPase Cdc42 is a member of the Rho family of GTPases that participates in many cellular processes including, but not limited to, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, vesicle trafficking, cell polarity, morphology, proliferation, motility, and migration. Cdc42 functions as an integral part of regulating insulin secretion and aging. Some novel roles for Cdc42 have also been recently identified in maintaining glucose metabolism, where Cdc42 is involved in controlling blood glucose levels in metabolically active tissues, including skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, pancreas, etc., which puts this protein in line with other critical regulators of glucose metabolism. Importantly, Cdc42 plays a vital role in cellular processes associated with the insulin and leptin signaling pathways, which are integral elements involved in obesity development if misregulated. Additionally, a change in Cdc42 activity may affect senescence, thus contributing to disorders associated with aging. This review explores the complex relationships among age-associated obesity, the insulin-leptin axis, and the Cdc42 signaling pathway. This article sheds light on the vast molecular web that supports metabolic dysregulation in aging people. In addition, it also discusses the potential therapeutic implications of the Cdc42 pathway to mitigate obesity since some new data suggest that inhibition of Cdc42 using antidiabetic drugs or antioxidants may promote weight loss in overweight or obese patients.

SOCS3 Ablation in Leptin Receptor-Expressing Cells Causes Autonomic and Cardiac Dysfunctions in Middle-Aged Mice despite Improving Energy and Glucose Metabolism

Leptin resistance is a hallmark of obesity. Treatments aiming to improve leptin sensitivity are considered a promising therapeutical approach against obesity. However, leptin receptor (LepR) signaling also modulates several neurovegetative aspects, such as the cardiovascular system and hepatic gluconeogenesis. Thus, we investigated the long-term consequences of increased leptin sensitivity, considering the potential beneficial and deleterious effects. To generate a mouse model with increased leptin sensitivity, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was ablated in LepR-expressing cells (LepR^∆SOCS3 mice). LepR^∆SOCS3 mice displayed reduced food intake, body adiposity and weight gain, as well as improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and were protected against aging-induced leptin resistance. Surprisingly, a very high mortality rate was observed in aging LepR^∆SOCS3 mice. LepR^∆SOCS3 mice showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, increased myocardial fibrosis and reduced cardiovascular capacity. LepR^∆SOCS3 mice exhibited impaired post-ischemic cardiac functional recovery and middle-aged LepR^∆SOCS3 mice showed substantial arhythmic events during the post-ischemic reperfusion period. Finally, LepR^∆SOCS3 mice exhibited fasting-induced hypoglycemia and impaired counterregulatory response to glucopenia associated with reduced gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, although increased sensitivity to leptin improved the energy and glucose homeostasis of aging LepR^∆SOCS3 mice, major autonomic/neurovegetative dysfunctions compromised the health and longevity of these animals. Consequently, these potentially negative aspects need to be considered in the therapies that increase leptin sensitivity chronically.

Aging in Male Wistar Rats Associates With Changes in Intestinal Microbiota, Gut Structure, and Cholecystokinin-Mediated Gut-Brain Axis Function

Aging in mammals is characterized by failure of the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate energy balance. Several mechanisms have been proposed such as the presence of a low-grade chronic inflammation in different tissues, as well as leptin and insulin resistance, but the primary alteration is not fully elucidated. The gut microbiota has recently emerged as a key player in a variety of metabolic and neurological disorders. A main concept in this context is the gut-brain axis that refers to alterations in the gut that mediate effects in the central nervous system, including those related with the control of energy balance. Using 16S rRNA analysis, we demonstrate that aged male Wistar rats have increased presence of mucin-degrading and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing bacteria. In addition, old animals exhibit a lower number of neutral mucin secreting goblet cells, and a decrease of tight junctions and adherens junctions marker proteins, zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) and β-catenin, respectively. These data are compatible with a thinner mucus layer and a weaker gut barrier in older animals that likely facilitate LPS leakage. Our data also show that cholecystokinin (CCK) satiating effect is impaired in aged rats, one of the expected effects of increased LPS leakage. In contrast, no overt signs of gut or systemic inflammation are observed. Changes in microbiota in old male Wistar rats present features of situations of increased adiposity, but different from those of obese animals. These could partly explain the increased adiposity and fat deposition in liver and heart as observed here.

The Effects of Graded Levels of Calorie Restriction: XVI. Metabolomic Changes in the Cerebellum Indicate Activation of Hypothalamocerebellar Connections Driven by Hunger Responses

Calorie restriction (CR) remains the most robust intervention to extend life span and improve healthspan. Though the cerebellum is more commonly associated with motor control, it has strong links with the hypothalamus and is thought to be associated with nutritional regulation and adiposity. Using a global mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach, we identified 756 metabolites that were significantly differentially expressed in the cerebellar region of the brain of C57BL/6J mice, fed graded levels of CR (10, 20, 30, and 40 CR) compared to mice fed ad libitum for 12 hours a day. Pathway enrichment indicated changes in the pathways of adenosine and guanine (which are precursors of DNA production), aromatic amino acids (tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan) and the sulfur-containing amino acid methionine. We also saw increases in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle, electron donor, and dopamine and histamine pathways. In particular, changes in l-histidine and homocarnosine correlated positively with the level of CR and food anticipatory activity and negatively with insulin and body temperature. Several metabolic and pathway changes acted against changes seen in age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, including increases in the TCA cycle and reduced l-proline. Carnitine metabolites contributed to discrimination between CR groups, which corroborates previous work in the liver and plasma. These results indicate the conservation of certain aspects of metabolism across tissues with CR. Moreover, this is the first study to indicate CR alters the cerebellar metabolome, and does so in a graded fashion, after only a short period of restriction.

Ageing alters the lipid sensing process in the hypothalamus of Wistar rats. Effect of food restriction

INTRODUCTION

Lipids regulate a wide range of biological processes. The mechanisms by which fatty acids (FA) and its metabolites influence the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis have been highly studied. However, the effect of ageing and food restriction (FR) on this process is unknown.

METHODS

Herein, we analyzed the gene expression, protein and phosphorylation levels of hypothalamic enzymes and transcription factors related to lipid metabolism. Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats of 3-, 8- and 24-month-old Wistar rats fed ad libitum (AL), as ageing model. Besides, 5- and 21-month-old rats were subjected to a moderate FR protocol (equivalent to ≈ 80% of normal food intake) for three months before the sacrifice.

RESULTS

Aged Wistar rats showed a situation of chronic lipid excess as a result of an increase in de novo FA synthesis and FA levels that reach the brain, contributing likely to the development of central leptin and insulin resistance. We observe a hypothalamic downregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) and an increase of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1c (CPT1c) expression.

DISCUSSION

Our results suggest an impairment in the physiological lipid sensing system of aged Wistar rats, which would alter the balance of the intracellular mobilization and trafficking of lipids between the mitochondria and the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) in the hypothalamus, leading probably to the development of neurolipotoxicity in aged rats. Lastly, FR can only partially restore this imbalance.Schematic representation of the fate of LCFA-CoA in the hypothalamus of young and old rats. Blood circulating LCFAs in young Wistar rats reach the hypothalamus, where they are esterified to LCFA-CoA. Into glial cells or neurons, LCFA-CoA are driven to mitochondria (CPT1a) or ER (CPT1c) where could be desaturated by SDC1 and, thereby, converted into structural and signaling unsaturated lipids as oleic acid, related with neuronal myelinization and differentiation. However, the excess of LCFA that reach to the hypothalamus in old animals, could generate an increase in LCFA-CoA, which together with an increase in CPT1c levels, could favor the capture of LCFA-CoA to the ER. The decrease in the levels of SCD1 in old rats would decrease FA unsaturation degree that could trigger lipotoxicity process and neurodegeneration, both related to the development of neurodegenerative diseases linked to age.

Changes in Visceral Adipose Tissue Plasma Membrane Lipid Composition in Old Rats Are Associated With Adipocyte Hypertrophy With Aging

Increased adiposity, through adipocyte hypertrophy, and/or hyperplasia, characterizes aging and obesity. Both are leptin-resistant states, associated with disturbed lipid metabolism, reduced insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Nevertheless, fat tissue dysfunction appears earlier in obesity than in normal aging. In contrast, lipodystrophy is accompanied by diabetes, and improving the fat cell capacity to expand rescues the diabetic phenotype. Fat tissue dysfunction is extensively studied in the diet-induced obesity, but remains relatively neglected in the aging-associated obesity. In the Wistar rat, as occurs in humans, early or middle aging is accompanied by an increase in adiposity. Using this experimental model, we describe the molecular mechanisms contributing to the white adipose tissue (WAT) hypertrophy. WAT from middle-old age rats is characterized by decreased basal lipogenesis and lipolysis, increased esterification, as demonstrated by the higher TAG and cholesterol content in visceral WAT, and the maintenance of total ceramide levels within normal values. In addition, we describe alterations in the adipose tissue plasma membrane lipid composition, as increased total ether-phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and free cholesterol levels that favor an enlarged fat cell size with aging. All these metabolic changes may be regarded as a survival advantage that prevents the aged rats from becoming overtly diabetic.

The leptin sensitizer celastrol reduces age-associated obesity and modulates behavioral rhythms

The prevalence of obesity increases with age in humans and in rodents. Age‐related obesity is characterized by leptin resistance and associated with heightened risk of metabolic disorders. However, the effect of leptin resistance per se has been difficult to disentangle from other effects of aging. Here we demonstrate that celastrol, a natural phytochemical that was previously shown to act as a leptin sensitizer, induces weight loss in aged animals, but not in young controls. Celastrol reduces food intake and lowers fasting glucose without affecting energy expenditure. Unexpectedly, administration of celastrol just before the dark period disrupted circadian rhythms of sleep and activity. This regimen was also associated with loss of lean mass an outcome that would not be desirable in elderly patients. Adjusting the timing of celastrol administration by 12 hr, to the beginning of the light period, avoided interference with circadian rhythms while retaining the reductions in body weight and adiposity. Thus, targeting leptin signaling is an effective strategy to ameliorate age‐associated weight gain, and can profoundly impact circadian rhythms.

The less weight loss due to modest food restriction drove more fat accumulation in striped hamsters refed with high-fat diet

Food restriction (FR) has been commonly used to decrease body fat, reducing the risk of overweight in humans and animals. However, the lost weight has been shown to be followed by overweight when food restriction ends. It remains uncertain whether the weight loss drives the overweight, or not. In the present study, striped hamsters were restricted by 15%, 30% and 40% of ad libitum food intake for 2 weeks, followed by high-fat refeeding for 6 weeks (FR15%-Re, FR30%-Re and FR40%-Re). The hamsters in FR15%, FR30% and FR40% groups decreased by 21.1%, 37.8% and 50.0% in fat mass (P < 0.01), and 16.8%, 42.8% and 53.4% in leptin levels (P < 0.01) compared with the hamsters fed ad libitum. The FR15%-Re, FR30%-Re and FR40%-Re groups showed 77.0%, 37.2% and 23.7% more body fat than ad libitum group (P < 0.01). The FR15%-Re group showed considerable decreases in gene expression of arcuate nucleus co-expressing proopiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine - and amphetamineregulated transcript (CART) and the long isoform of leptin receptor (LepRb) in the hypothalamus and of several genes associated with fatty acid transport to mitochondria and β-oxidation in brown adipose tissue and liver. It suggests that less weight loss is likely to drive more fat accumulation when food restriction ends, in which the impaired function of LepRb, POMC and CART in the brain and fatty acid oxidation in brown adipose tissue and liver may be involved.

Caloric restriction attenuates aging-induced cardiac insulin resistance in male Wistar rats through activation of PI3K/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Caloric restriction (CR) improves insulin sensitivity and is one of the dietetic strategies most commonly used to enlarge life and to prevent aging-induced cardiovascular alterations. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible beneficial effects of caloric restriction (CR) preventing the aging-induced insulin resistance in the heart of male Wistar rats.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Three experimental groups were used: 3 months old rats (3m), 24 months old rats (24m) and 24 months old rats subjected to 20% CR during their three last months of life (24m-CR). After sacrifice hearts were mounted in a perfusion system (Langendorff) and heart function in basal conditions and in response to accumulative doses of insulin (10^-9-10^-7 M), in the presence or absence of Wortmannin (10^-6 M), was recorded. CR did not attenuate the aging-induced decrease in coronary artery vasodilation in response to insulin administration, but it prevented the aging-induced downregulation of cardiac contractility (dp/dt) through activation of the PI3K/Akt intracellular pathway. Insulin stimulated in a greater extent the PI3K/Akt pathway vs the activation of the MAPK pathway and increased the protein expression of IR, GLUT-4 and eNOS in the hearts of 3m and 24m-CR rats, but not in the hearts of 24m rats. Furthermore, CR prevented the aging induced increase in endothelin-1 protein expression in myocardial tissue.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion CR partially improves cardiac insulin sensitivity and prevents the aging induced decrease in myocardial contractility in response to insulin administration through activation of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Food Restriction is Required to Preserve the Antisteatotic Effects of Central Leptin in the Liver of Middle-Aged Rats

OBJECTIVE

Aging is a significant risk factor for the development of obesity and hepatic steatosis associated with insulin and leptin resistance. Food restriction (FR) is commonly used for reducing body weight (BW), adiposity, and liver steatosis. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether FR in middle-aged rats can recover the central leptin antisteatotic effects observed in the liver in young animals.

METHODS

Two groups of 4-month-old Wistar rats were fed ad libitum (AL) or were on FR for 3 months. At 7 months of age, both groups were centrally treated with rat leptin (0.2 μg/d, 7 days) or saline.

RESULTS

Central leptin reduced food intake and BW, but not the hepatic triglyceride content, in 7-month-old rats fed AL. However, in 7-month-old FR rats, leptin did not affect BW but markedly reduced serum leptin, serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, and the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes. In addition, central leptin decreased serum and hepatic endogenous norepinephrine levels of FR rats, exerting a homeostatic effect beyond its antisteatotic actions.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that in middle-aged rats, moderate FR is required for both preserving the antisteatotic actions of central leptin and avoiding excessive weight loss.

Central s-resistin deficiency ameliorates hypothalamic inflammation and increases whole body insulin sensitivity

S-resistin, a non-secretable resistin isoform, acts as an intracrine factor that regulates adipocyte maduration, inflammatory and insulin response in 3T3-L1 cells. However, its intracellular function in vivo is still unknown. In this study, we analyze the central role of s-resistin, decreasing its hypothalamic expression using an intracerebroventricular injection of lentiviral RNAi. The data present herein support an improvement in the hypothalamic leptin and insulin signaling pathway upon s-resistin downregulation. Furthermore, hypothalamic levels of pro-inflammatory markers decrease, meanwhile those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increases. Interestingly, peripheral NEFA decreases alike circulating leptin and resistin levels. These data demonstrate that hypothalamic s-resistin controls fuel mobilization and adipokines secretion. Importantly, central s-resistin downregulation improves systemic insulin sensitivity, as demonstrated after an IPGTT. Interestingly, our data also indicate that s-resistin downregulation could improve hypothalamic inflammation in aged Wistar rats. Altogether, our findings suggest that hypothalamic s-resistin seems to be a key regulator of the brain-fat axis which links inflammation with metabolic homeostasis.

Cross platform analysis of transcriptomic data identifies ageing has distinct and opposite effects on tendon in males and females

The development of tendinopathy is influenced by a variety of factors including age, gender, sex hormones and diabetes status. Cross platform comparative analysis of transcriptomic data elucidated the connections between these entities in the context of ageing. Tissue-engineered tendons differentiated from bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells from young (20-24 years) and old (54-70 years) donors were assayed using ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq). Extension of the experiment to microarray and RNA-seq data from tendon identified gender specific gene expression changes highlighting disparity with existing literature and published pathways. Separation of RNA-seq data by sex revealed underlying negative binomial distributions which increased statistical power. Sex specific de novo transcriptome assemblies generated fewer larger transcripts that contained miRNAs, lincRNAs and snoRNAs. The results identify that in old males decreased expression of CRABP2 leads to cell proliferation, whereas in old females it leads to cellular senescence. In conjunction with existing literature the results explain gender disparity in the development and types of degenerative diseases as well as highlighting a wide range of considerations for the analysis of transcriptomic data. Wider implications are that degenerative diseases may need to be treated differently in males and females because alternative mechanisms may be involved.

Effects of mild calorie restriction on lipid metabolism and inflammation in liver and adipose tissue

Calorie restriction (CR) has been reported to improve lipid metabolism and to decrease inflammatory diseases. However, most existing CR models use 30-50% calorie reduction, which is hard to achieve in humans. We investigated the effects of mild CR on lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed control diet (10% kcal fat, Control) or high fat diet (60% kcal fat, HFD) ad libitum or reduced amount of control diet to achieve 15% CR for 16 wks. Body weights, white adipose tissue weights, liver triacylglycerol levels, and serum fetuin-A levels were lower in CR than in the Control. Serum adiponectin levels were higher in CR and lower in HFD compared with the Control. Liver and adipose tissue Mcp-1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in CR compared with the Control. Adipose tissue mRNA levels of Mcp-1, Il-6, Tnf-α and Socs3 were significantly higher in HFD than in the Control and CR, and levels of these negatively correlated with serum adiponectin levels. CR group had the lowest leptin levels and the highest liver Lepr expression, and Lepr mRNA levels positively correlated with liver Socs3 mRNA levels. Our findings showed that mild CR lowered adiposity which resulted in higher adiponectin and lower fetuin-A levels, and might have contributed to alleviation of inflammatory status in the liver and adipose tissue. Furthermore, mild CR might have affected leptin sensitivity by up-regulating Lepr expression.

Serum Leptin Concentration is Associated with Incident Frailty in Older Adults

Obesity has been associated with higher risk of frailty in older adults, but the pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. No previous study has examined the association between leptin, an adipokine, and the risk of frailty in older adults, and whether this association could be explained by insulin resistance or chronic inflammation. Data were taken from 1,573 individuals without diabetes mellitus, aged ≥60 years, from the Seniors-ENRICA cohort. In 2008-2010, leptin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Study participants were followed-up through 2012 to assess incident frailty, defined as at least two of the following Fried criteria: exhaustion, weakness, low physical activity, and slow walking speed. Analyses were performed with logistic regression and adjusted for the main confounders. Over a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 280 cases of incident frailty were identified. Compared to individuals in the lowest tertile of serum leptin, those in the highest tertile showed an increased risk of frailty (odds ratio [OR]: 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47-3.06; p-trend <0.001). Further adjustment for the percentage of body fat led to an OR of 1.69 (95% CI: 1.11-2.61; p-trend=0.01). After additional adjustment for HOMA-IR and CRP, the OR for frailty was 1.59 (95% CI: 1.01-2.52; p-trend=0.04). Results did not vary according to sex, abdominal obesity or the percentage of body fat. Being in the highest versus lowest tertile of leptin was associated with increased risk of exhaustion (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.32-3.55; p-trend=0.001) and muscle weakness (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.25-2.51; p-trend=0.001), in the analyses adjusted for potential confounders and body fat. Higher leptin concentration was associated with greater risk of frailty in older adults. This association was only modestly explained by insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, as measured by CRP.

Age-related changes in acute central leptin effects on energy balance are promoted by obesity

Leptin is a key catabolic regulator of food intake (FI) and energy expenditure. Both aging and obesity have been shown to induce leptin-resistance. The present study aimed to analyze age-related changes in the anorexigenic and hypermetabolic responsiveness to acute intracerebroventricular leptin administration in different age-groups of normally fed male Wistar rats (adult and old rats from 3 to 24months of age, NF3 to NF24, respectively). The expressions of the long form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and inhibitory SOCS3 genes were also assessed by quantitative RT-PCR in the arcuate nucleus (ARC). The influence of high-fat diet-induced obesity (HF) on the anorexigenic leptin effects were also tested in younger and older middle-aged groups (HF6 and HF12). Leptin-induced anorexia varied with age: leptin suppressed re-feeding FI (following 48-h fasting) strongly in young adult (NF3), but not in younger or older middle-aged (NF6 or NF12) or in aging (NF18) rats. However, anorexigenic leptin effects reached statistical significance again in old NF24 rats. Leptin-induced hypermetabolism, on the other hand, showed monotonous age-related decline and disappeared by old age. Ob-Rb expression declined until 12months of age followed by a partial recovery in NF18 and NF24 groups. On the other hand, SOCS3 expression was high in NF6 and NF18 and to some extent in NF24 rats. Age-related alterations of Ob-Rb and SOCS3 expression in the ARC may partly contribute to the explanation of age-related variations in anorexigenic but not hypermetabolic leptin effects. High-fat diet-induced obesity was associated with resistance to leptin-induced anorexia in HF6, similar to that seen in NF6. However, instead of the expected leptin-resistance in HF12, a strong leptin-induced suppression of re-feeding was detected in these obese middle-aged rats. Our results suggest that acute central effects of leptin on anorexia and hypermetabolism change in disparate ways during aging, implying separate mechanisms (e.g. signal transduction pathways) of different leptin actions. The age-related pattern shown by leptin-induced anorexia may contribute to the explanation of middle-aged obesity, and partly to that of aging anorexia. Our findings concerning obese rats are in accord with previous observations on anorexigenic effects of peripherally administered cholecystokinin: diet-induced obesity appeared to accelerate the development of age-related regulatory alterations. Similarly, our present data also raise the possibility that chronic diet-induced obesity promotes responsiveness to centrally applied leptin at least concerning anorexigenic effects.

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction: II. Impact of short term calorie and protein restriction on circulating hormone levels, glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress in male C57BL/6 mice

Limiting food intake attenuates many of the deleterious effects of aging, impacting upon healthspan and leading to an increased lifespan. Whether it is the overall restriction of calories (calorie restriction: CR) or the incidental reduction in macronutrients such as protein (protein restriction: PR) that mediate these effects is unclear. The impact of 3 month CR or PR, (10 to 40%), on C57BL/6 mice was compared to controls fed ad libitum. Reductions in circulating leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were relative to the level of CR and individually associated with morphological changes but remained unchanged following PR. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were improved following CR but not affected by PR. There was no indication that CR had an effect on oxidative damage, however CR lowered antioxidant activity. No biomarkers of oxidative stress were altered by PR. CR significantly reduced levels of major urinary proteins suggesting lowered investment in reproduction. Results here support the idea that reduced adipokine levels, improved insulin/IGF-1 signaling and reduced reproductive investment play important roles in the beneficial effects of CR while, in the short-term, attenuation of oxidative damage is not applicable. None of the positive effects were replicated with PR.

Telmisartan Ameliorates Nephropathy in Metabolic Syndrome by Reducing Leptin Release From Perirenal Adipose Tissue

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with nephropathy. Along with common risk factors such as hypertension and hyperglycemia, adipocytokines released from perirenal adipose tissue (PRAT) are implicated in the pathogenesis of MetS nephropathy. The study was designed to elucidate the adverse effects of PRAT-derived leptin on nephropathy and to determine whether the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist telmisartan exerts a renoprotective effect by decreasing the PRAT-derived leptin level in the high-fat diet-induced MetS rat. In MetS rats, PRAT-derived leptin expression increased concomitant with dysfunction of adipogenesis, and the activities of the angiotensin II-angiotensin II type 1 receptor and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-Mas receptor axes were imbalanced in PRAT. PRAT-derived leptin from MetS rats promoted proliferation of rat glomerular endothelial cells (GERs) by activating the p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway, thereby contributing to the development of nephropathy. Long-term telmisartan treatment improved metabolic parameters and renal function, decreased the amount of PRAT, promoted adipogenesis, increased the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, restored balanced activities of the angiotensin II-AT1R and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-angiotensin (1-7)-Mas axes, and exerted an indirect renoprotective effect on MetS rats by decreasing PRAT-derived leptin release. Our results demonstrate a novel link between nephropathy and PRAT in MetS and show that telmisartan confers an underlying protective effect on visceral adipose tissue and the kidney, suggesting that it has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of MetS-associated nephropathy.

Early and Long-term Undernutrition in Female Rats Exacerbates the Metabolic Risk Associated with Nutritional Rehabilitation

Human studies have suggested that early undernutrition increases the risk of obesity, thereby explaining the increase in overweight among individuals from developing countries who have been undernourished as children. However, this conclusion is controversial, given that other studies do not concur. This study sought to determine whether rehabilitation after undernutrition increases the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. We employed a published experimental food-restriction model. Wistar female rats subjected to severe food restriction since fetal stage and controls were transferred to a moderately high-fat diet (cafeteria) provided at 70 days of life to 6.5 months. Another group of undernourished rats were rehabilitated with chow. The energy intake of undernourished animals transferred to cafeteria formula exceeded that of the controls under this regime and was probably driven by hypothalamic disorders in insulin and leptin signal transduction. The cafeteria diet resulted in greater relative increases in both fat and lean body mass in the undernourished rats when compared with controls, enabling the former group to completely catch up in length and body mass index. White adipose tissues of undernourished rats transferred to the high-lipid regime developed a browning which, probably, contributed to avoid the obesigenic effect observed in controls. Nevertheless, the restricted group rehabilitated with cafeteria formula had greater accretion of visceral than subcutaneous fat, showed increased signs of macrophage infiltration and inflammation in visceral pad, dyslipidemia, and ectopic fat accumulation. The data indicate that early long-term undernutrition is associated with increased susceptibility to the harmful effects of nutritional rehabilitation, without causing obesity.

Age-Associated Weight Gain, Leptin, and SIRT1: A Possible Role for Hypothalamic SIRT1 in the Prevention of Weight Gain and Aging through Modulation of Leptin Sensitivity

The hypothalamus is the principal regulator of body weight and energy balance. It modulates both energy intake and energy expenditure by sensing the energy status of the body through neural inputs from the periphery as well as direct humoral inputs. Leptin, an adipokine, is one of the humoral factors responsible for alerting the hypothalamus that enough energy is stored in the periphery. Plasma leptin levels are positively linked to adiposity; leptin suppress energy intake and stimulates energy expenditure. However, prolonged increases in plasma leptin levels due to obesity cause leptin resistance, affecting both leptin access to hypothalamic neurons and leptin signal transduction within hypothalamic neurons. Decreased sensing of peripheral energy status through leptin may lead to a positive energy balance and gradual gains in weight and adiposity, further worsening leptin resistance. Leptin resistance, increased adiposity, and weight gain are all associated with aging in both humans and animals. Central insulin resistance is associated with similar observations. Therefore, improving the action of humoral factors in the hypothalamus may prevent gradual weight gain, especially during middle age. SIRT1 is a NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylase with numerous substrates, including histones, transcription factors, co-factors, and various enzymes. SIRT1 improves both leptin sensitivity and insulin sensitivity by decreasing the levels of several molecules that impair leptin and insulin signal transduction. SIRT1 and NAD(+) levels decrease with age in the hypothalamus; increased hypothalamic SIRT1 levels prevent age-associated weight gain and improve leptin sensitivity in mice. Therefore, preventing the age-dependent loss of SIRT1 function in the hypothalamus could improve the action of humoral factors in the hypothalamus as well as central regulation of energy balance.

Leptin and aging: Review and questions with particular emphasis on its role in the central regulation of energy balance

Leptin is produced mainly in the white adipose tissue and emerged as one of the key catabolic regulators of food intake and energy expenditure. During the course of aging characteristic alterations in body weight and body composition in humans and mammals, i.e. middle-aged obesity and aging anorexia and cachexia, suggest age-related regulatory changes in energy balance in the background. Aging has been associated with increased fat mass, central and peripheral leptin resistance as indicated by its failure to reduce food intake, to increase metabolic rate and thereby to induce weight loss. Leptin resistance is a common feature of aging and obesity (even in the young). The question arises whether aging or fat accumulation plays the primary role in the development of this resistance. The review focuses mainly on mechanisms and development of central leptin resistance. Age-related decline primarily affects the hypermetabolic component of central catabolic leptin actions, while the anorexigenic component is even growing stronger in the late phase of aging. Obesity enhances resistance to leptin at any age, particularly in old rats, calorie-restriction, on the other hand, increases responsiveness to leptin, especially in the oldest age-group. Thus, without obesity, leptin sensitivity appears not to decrease but to increase by old age. Interactions with other substances (e.g. insulin, cholecystokinin, endogenous cannabinoids) and life-style factors (e.g. exercise) in these age-related changes need to be investigated.

The role of leptin in striped hamsters subjected to food restriction and refeeding

Food restriction (FR) and refeeding (Re) have been suggested to impair body mass regulation and thereby making it easier to regain the lost weight and develop over-weight when FR ends. However, it is unclear if this is the case in small mammals showing seasonal forging behaviors. In the present study, energy budget, body fat and serum leptin level were measured in striped hamsters that were exposed to FR-Re. The effects of leptin on food intake, body fat and genes expressions of several hypothalamus neuropeptides were determined. Body mass, fat content and serum leptin level decreased during FR and then increased during Re. Leptin supplement significantly attenuated the increase in food intake during Re, decreased genes expressions of neuropepetide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) of hypothalamus and leptin of white adipose tissue (WAT). Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) gene expression of WAT increased in leptin-treated hamsters that were fed ad libitum, but decreased in FR-Re hamsters. This indicates that the adaptive regulation of WAT HSL gene expression may be involved in the mobilization of fat storage during Re, which partly contributes to the resistance to FR-Re-induced overweight. Leptin may be involved in the down regulations of hypothalamus orexigenic peptides gene expression and consequently plays a crucial role in controlling food intake when FR ends.

Intermittent fasting induces hypothalamic modifications resulting in low feeding efficiency, low body mass and overeating

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an often-used intervention to decrease body mass. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, 24 hour cycles of IF result in light caloric restriction, reduced body mass gain, and significant decreases in the efficiency of energy conversion. Here, we study the metabolic effects of IF in order to uncover mechanisms involved in this lower energy conversion efficiency. After 3 weeks, IF animals displayed overeating during fed periods and lower body mass, accompanied by alterations in energy-related tissue mass. The lower efficiency of energy use was not due to uncoupling of muscle mitochondria. Enhanced lipid oxidation was observed during fasting days, whereas fed days were accompanied by higher metabolic rates. Furthermore, an increased expression of orexigenic neurotransmitters AGRP and NPY in the hypothalamus of IF animals was found, even on feeding days, which could explain the overeating pattern. Together, these effects provide a mechanistic explanation for the lower efficiency of energy conversion observed. Overall, we find that IF promotes changes in hypothalamic function that explain differences in body mass and caloric intake.

Age versus nutritional state in the development of central leptin resistance

Leptin, a catabolic adiposity signal acts in the hypothalamus via suppressing food intake and inducing hypermetabolism. Age and obesity are accompanied by leptin resistance. The present study aimed to clarify which components of the catabolic leptin effects are influenced most strongly by aging and which ones by nutritional state-induced alterations in body composition. In our biotelemetric study the effects of a 7-day intracerebroventricular leptin infusion on various parameters of energy balance (food intake, body weight, oxygen consumption, heart rate and body temperature) were analyzed in male Wistar rats of different age-groups (from 3 to 24 months) and nutritional states (normally fed, diet-induced obese and calorie-restricted). Leptin resistance of older animals affected hypermetabolic actions, whereas leptin induced anorexia in all age-groups. Weight reducing effect of leptin diminished in middle-aged and aging animals to become significant again in the oldest group. In diet-induced obese rats leptin-induced hypermetabolism of the young rats and hypermetabolism plus anorexia of the aging ones were suppressed. Calorie-restriction reduced body weight and fat mass to a similar extent in all age-groups. It strongly enhanced leptin-induced hypermetabolism at all ages and prevented the manifestation of anorexigenic actions of leptin with the exception of the oldest group. This latter finding suggests an unexpected increase of responsiveness to anorexigenic leptin actions in old rats. Accordingly, anorexia and hypermetabolism change in disparate ways with aging. Nutritional state predominantly influences hypermetabolic leptin actions. Resistance to both hypermetabolic and anorexigenic actions were promoted by obesity, while calorie-restriction enhanced responsiveness to leptin, especially in old rats.

Expression of obesity gene and obesity gene long form receptor in endometrium of Yorkshire sows during embryo implantation

There is accumulating evidence that leptin may be directly involved in mammalian reproduction, however, the potential role of obesity gene/obesity gene long form receptor (ob/ob-Rb) system in porcine implantation is poorly understood. To further confirm this role, mRNA and protein expression of ob/ob-Rb in implantation site and inter-implantation sites of porcine uterus on pregnancy day 13, 18 and 24 were compared in this study. Ob mRNA level went up with the advance of pregnancy and was higher in implantation site than inter-implantation site (P < 0.05). But ob-Rb mRNA, which was negative-regulated by leptin, went down with the advance of pregnancy and lessened in implantation site compared with inter-implantation site (P < 0.05). During the three implantation phase, leptin protein peaked at day 18 pregnancy (P < 0.05) and leptin protein at implantation site were always higher than inter-implantation site (P < 0.05). The higher ob-Rb protein in implantation site compared with inter-implantation site (P < 0.05) only appeared at day 18 pregnancy. Localization of ob/ob-Rb protein in porcine uterus was assayed using immunohistochemistry and found that ob/ob-Rb protein mainly located in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium in pregnant pigs, but distinct immune-staining of leptin also detected in stroma in non-pregnancy porcine uterus except for luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium. In conclusion, the peak of leptin and the peak of ob-Rb protein in implantation site specifically appeared on day 18 pregnancy of pig. Another funning discovery is ob-Rb mRNA in porcine endometrium was mainly negative-regulated by leptin. The space-time difference of gene and protein expression for ob/ob-Rb confirmed ob/ob-Rb system role as delicate regulator of porcine implantation process.

Energy budget, behavior and leptin in striped hamsters subjected to food restriction and refeeding

Food restriction induces a loss of body mass that is often followed by rapid regaining of the lost weight when the restriction ends, consequently increasing a risk of development of obesity. To determine the physiological and behavioral mechanisms underlining the regaining, striped hamsters were restricted to 85% of initial food intake for 4 weeks and refed ad libitum for another 4 weeks. Changes in body mass, energy budget, activity, body composition and serum leptin level were measured. Body mass, body fat mass and serum leptin level significantly decreased in food-restricted hamsters, and increased when the restriction ended, showing a short “compensatory growth” rather than over-weight or obesity compared with ad libitum controls. During restriction, the time spent on activity increased significantly, which was opposite to the changes in serum leptin level. Food intake increased shortly during refeeding, which perhaps contributed to the rapid regaining of body mass. No correlation was observed between serum leptin and energy intake, while negative correlations were found in hamsters that were refed for 7 and 28 days. Exogenous leptin significantly decreased the time spent on activity during food restriction and attenuated the increase in food intake during refeeding. This suggests that low leptin in restricted animals may function as a starvation signal to induce an increase in activity behavior, and high leptin likely serves as a satiety signal to prevent activity during refeeding. Leptin may play a crucial role in controlling food intake when the restriction ends, and consequently preventing overweight.

Sarcopenic obesity and endocrinal adaptation with age

In normal aging, changes in the body composition occur that result in a shift toward decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass. The loss of muscle mass that occurs with aging is termed sarcopenia and is an important cause of frailty, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. Age-related changes in the body composition as well as the increased prevalence of obesity determine a combination of excess weight and reduced muscle mass or strength, recently defined as sarcopenic obesity. Weight gain increases total/abdominal fat, which, in turn, elicits inflammation and fatty infiltration in muscle. Sarcopenic obesity appears to be linked with the upregulation of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, leptin, and myostatin and the downregulation of adiponectin and IL-15. Multiple combined exercise and mild caloric restriction markedly attenuate the symptoms of sarcopenic obesity. Intriguingly, the inhibition of myostatin induced by gene manipulation or neutralizing antibody ameliorates sarcopenic obesity via increased skeletal muscle mass and improved glucose homeostasis. In this review, we describe the possible influence of endocrinal changes with age on sarcopenic obesity.

Involvement of protein tyrosine phosphatases and inflammation in hypothalamic insulin resistance associated with ageing: effect of caloric restriction

Aged Wistar rats present central insulin resistance associated with ageing. Several steps of the insulin signaling pathway have been described to be impaired in aged rats at hypothalamic level. In the present article we have explored possible alterations in protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) involved in insulin receptor dephosphorylation, as well as pro-inflammatory pathways and serine kinases such as inhibitory kappa β kinase-nuclear factor kappa-B (IKKβ-NFκB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and protein kinase C θ (PKCθ) that may also be involved in the decreased insulin signaling during ageing. We detected that ageing brings about a specific increase in insulin receptor tyrosine phosphatase activity and PTP1B serine phosphorylation. Increased association of PTP1B and leukocyte common antigen-related tyrosine protein phosphatase (LAR) with insulin receptor was also observed in hypothalamus from aged rats. Besides these mechanisms, increased activation of the IKKβ-NFκB pathway, p38 and PKCθ serine/threonine kinases were also detected. These data contribute to explain the hypothalamic insulin resistance associated with ageing. Caloric restriction ameliorates most of the effects of ageing on the above mentioned increases in PTPs and serine/threonine kinases activities and points to age-associated adiposity and inflammation as key factors in the development of age-associated insulin resistance.

Effects of long-term restricted feeding on plasma leptin, hepatic leptin expression and leptin receptor expression in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Leptin is a pleiotropic hormone and plays a key role in body weight regulation, energy homeostasis and lipid store utilization in mammals. In this study, we investigated the effect of feed-restriction on leptin genes (lepa1 and lepa2), leptin receptor (lepr) gene expression and plasma leptin levels in juvenile Atlantic salmon parr. Feed restriction was performed from late April to mid-June, in order to gain insight into the role of the leptin system in energy balance regulation and adiposity in juvenile salmon. A significant increase in lepa1 expression as well as higher levels of plasma leptin was found in feed-restricted fish in June compared to fully fed controls, while lepa2 gene expression decreased in both groups during the treatment period. Lepa2 was, however significantly higher in the feed-restricted group in June. Leptin receptor expression was up regulated during the period of enhanced growth and lipid deposition in the fully fed control, indicating a seasonal effect on the receptor expression in the brain. Both lepa1 and lepa2 genes very mainly expressed in the liver in juvenile salmon, while lepr was expressed in the brain but showed also considerable expression in various peripheral tissues. The study provides evidence that the leptin system is sensitive to the metabolic status of the fish as both season and restricted feeding affect lepa1 and lepa2 gene expression in the liver and brain leptin receptor expression, however, for lepa1 expression and leptin plasma level in an opposite way as that observed in the mammalian system.

Intranasal leptin reduces appetite and induces weight loss in rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO)

Resistance to brain-mediated effects of leptin is a characteristic feature of obesity, resulting from alterations in leptin receptor signaling in hypothalamic neurons and/or transport across the blood-brain-barrier. We have shown previously, that the latter can be circumvented by intranasal (i.n.) application of leptin in lean rats. This prompted us to test i.n. leptin in animals with diet-induced obesity (DIO) as a basis for future human administration. DIO was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding a cafeteria diet for 25 or 32 wk, respectively. Consecutively, these DIO animals (seven to eight per treatment) and standard diet rats (lean) (14-15 per treatment, matched for age and diet duration) were treated with 0.1, 0.2 mg/kg leptin, or control solution i.n. daily for 4 wk before onset of dark period. Energy intake and body weight were measured daily; blood glucose, serum insulin, and leptin were measured before and after treatment. Expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. We demonstrate, for the first time, that i.n. leptin reduces appetite and induces weight loss in DIO to the same extent as in lean rats. Our findings are supported accordingly by an altered expression pattern of anorexigenic and orexigenic neuropeptides in the hypothalamus, e.g. proopiomelanocortin, cocaine and amphetamine-related transcript, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein. It now appears clear that i.n. leptin is effectively acting in obese animals in the same fashion as in their lean counterparts. These findings now clearly warrant studies in humans and may open new perspectives in the treatment of obesity.

Age-associated development of inflammation in Wistar rats: Effects of caloric restriction

CONTEXT

Insulin resistance and type 2 Diabetes have been associated to a low grade of inflammation and their prevalence increase with ageing.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the development of inflammation in adipose tissue, liver, muscle and hypothalamus during ageing and the effects of caloric restriction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have analysed the expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL1-β, IL-12B and IL-6), proteins involved in macrophage recruitment (MCP-1, CCR2), TLR4 and macrophage markers (CD11c, CD11b and arginase1). Immunohistochemistry of macrophages has also been performed.

RESULTS

All studied tissues present signs of inflammation during ageing, but with different pattern and intensity. Caloric restriction decreases the expression of most of inflammatory markers.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate a role of adiposity in the development of inflammation and insulin resistance during ageing. Dietetic intervention could be a useful tool to ameliorate the development of inflammation and insulin resistance associated with ageing.

Regulation of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in rat white adipose tissue upon chronic central leptin infusion: effects on adiposity

Leptin enhances the glucose utilization in most insulin target tissues and paradoxically decreases it in white adipose tissue (WAT), but knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of central leptin on the insulin-dependent glucose uptake in WAT is limited. After 7 d intracerebroventricular leptin treatment (0.2 μg/d) of rats, the overall insulin sensitivity and the responsiveness of WAT after acute in vivo insulin administration were analyzed. We also performed unilateral WAT denervation to clarify the role of the autonomic nervous system in leptin effects on the insulin-stimulated [(3)H]-2-deoxyglucose transport in WAT. Central leptin improved the overall insulin sensitivity but decreased the in vivo insulin action in WAT, including insulin receptor autophosphorylation, insulin receptor substrate-1 tyrosine-phosphorylation, and Akt activation. In this tissue, insulin receptor substrate-1 and glucose transporter 4 mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated after central leptin treatment. Additionally, a remarkable up-regulation of resistin, together with an augmented expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in WAT, was also observed in leptin-treated rats. As a result, the insulin-stimulated glucose transporter 4 insertion at the plasma membrane and the glucose uptake in WAT were impaired in leptin-treated rats. Finally, denervation of WAT abolished the inhibitory effect of central leptin on glucose transport and decreased suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and resistin levels in this tissue, suggesting that resistin, in an autocrine/paracrine manner, might be a mediator of central leptin antagonism of insulin action in WAT. We conclude that central leptin, inhibiting the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in WAT, may regulate glucose availability for triacylglyceride formation and accumulation in this tissue, thereby contributing to the control of adiposity.

Involvement of leptin receptor long isoform (LepRb)-STAT3 signaling pathway in brain fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) downregulation during energy restriction

Obesity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers. The fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is tightly associated with the pathophysiology of obesity, whereas the exact role of FTO remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the alternations of FTO mRNA and protein expression in the peripheral metabolic tissues and the brain upon energy restriction (ER) and explored the involvement of the leptin signaling pathway in FTO regulation under ER status. ER decreased the FTO mRNA and protein expression in hypothalamus and brainstem but not in periphery. Using double-immunofluorescence staining, FTO was found to be colocalized with the leptin receptor long isoform (LepRb) in arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus and the nucleus of the solitary tract. In LepRb mutant db/db mice, the FTO downregulation in brain and body weight reduction induced by ER were completely abolished. The enhanced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) induced by ER was also impaired in db/db mice. Moreover, leptin directly activated the STAT3 signaling pathway and downregulated FTO in in vitro arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus cultures and in vivo wild-type mice but not db/db mice. Thus, our results provide the first evidence that the LepRb-STAT3 signaling pathway is involved in the brain FTO downregulation during ER.

Brown versus white adipose tissue: a mini-review

BACKGROUND

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is abundant in small mammals and in newborns and helps them to survive cold temperatures. In adults, it had long been considered to be absent or at least of no relevance. Recent investigations, however, have fuelled interest in adult BAT.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed at (1) summarizing structural and physiological characteristics of BAT versus white adipose tissue (WAT); (2) discussing the development of the two adipose tissue types; (3) reviewing the data available from human studies on BAT, and (4) discussing the impact of aging.

METHODS

We summarize recent descriptions of BAT and WAT based on the original literature and reviews in the field, with emphasis on human BAT.

RESULTS

WAT and BAT have essentially antagonistic functions: WAT stores excess energy as triglycerides and BAT is specialized in the dissipation of energy through the production of heat. Considerable amounts of BAT are present in a substantial proportion of adult humans and relatively high quantities of BAT are associated with lower body weight. With increasing age, BAT decreases and body weight increases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the available cross-sectional data do not allow definite conclusions to be drawn concerning a causal relationship between loss of BAT and increasing body weight with advancing age or obesity-related metabolic disorders of older age, stimulation of BAT appears to be an attractive novel candidate target for the treatment of age-related obesity.

The adipokine leptin increases skeletal muscle mass and significantly alters skeletal muscle miRNA expression profile in aged mice

Age-associated loss of muscle mass, or sarcopenia, contributes directly to frailty and an increased risk of falls and fractures among the elderly. Aged mice and elderly adults both show decreased muscle mass as well as relatively low levels of the fat-derived hormone leptin. Here we demonstrate that loss of muscle mass and myofiber size with aging in mice is associated with significant changes in the expression of specific miRNAs. Aging altered the expression of 57 miRNAs in mouse skeletal muscle, and many of these miRNAs are now reported to be associated specifically with age-related muscle atrophy. These include miR-221, previously identified in studies of myogenesis and muscle development as playing a role in the proliferation and terminal differentiation of myogenic precursors. We also treated aged mice with recombinant leptin, to determine whether leptin therapy could improve muscle mass and alter the miRNA expression profile of aging skeletal muscle. Leptin treatment significantly increased hindlimb muscle mass and extensor digitorum longus fiber size in aged mice. Furthermore, the expression of 37 miRNAs was altered in muscles of leptin-treated mice. In particular, leptin treatment increased the expression of miR-31 and miR-223, miRNAs known to be elevated during muscle regeneration and repair. These findings suggest that aging in skeletal muscle is associated with marked changes in the expression of specific miRNAs, and that nutrient-related hormones such as leptin may be able to reverse muscle atrophy and alter the expression of atrophy-related miRNAs in aging skeletal muscle.

Aging per se increases the susceptibility to free fatty acid-induced insulin resistance

Elevations in systemic free fatty acids (FFA) contribute to insulin resistance. To determine the effects of an acute elevation in FFA on insulin action with aging, we infused saline or intralipid (IL) during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in three groups of rats: young ad libitum-fed (YAL), old ad libitum-fed (OAL), and old on lifelong calorie restriction (OCR). The OCR group was included to distinguish between aging per se and age-related changes in body fat distribution. IL induced marked insulin resistance in both YAL and OCR, but the onset of insulin resistance was approximately two to three times more rapid in OCR as compared with YAL. In response to IL infusion, plasminogen-activating inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression was increased in subcutaneous fat from OAL animals. In visceral fat, a marked increase in PAI-1 and interleukin-6 expression was observed in OAL and OCR rats, but not YAL, in response to IL treatment. Thus, aging per se increases the inflammatory response to excess nutrients and vulnerability to FFA-induced insulin resistance with aging.

Effect of food restriction on adipose tissue in spontaneously diabetic Torii fatty rats

Spontaneously Diabetic Torii-fa/fa (SDT fatty) rat is a new model of obese type 2 diabetes. SDT fatty rat exhibits obesity associated with hyperphagia. In this study, SDT fatty rats were subjected to pair-feeding with SDT-+/+ (SDT) rats from 6 to 22 weeks of age. The ratio of visceral fat weight to subcutaneous fat weight (V/S) decreased at 12 weeks of age in the pair-feeding rats. The intraperitoneal fat weight such as epididymal and retroperitoneal fat weight decreased, whereas mesenteric fat weight had no change. Cell size of the epididymal fat in the pair-feeding rats tended to decrease. Glucose oxidation level in epididymal fat in the pair-feeding rats at 12 weeks of age was recovered to a similar level with that in SDT rats. These results indicated that SDT fatty rat is a useful model to evaluate the functional or the morphological features in adipose tissue and develop a novel drug for antiobesity.

The expression of rat resistin isoforms is differentially regulated in visceral adipose tissues: effects of aging and food restriction

Two variants of the adipose hormone resistin are generated by alternative splicing in Wistar rats. Here we analyzed the expression of these resistin variants in 2 main visceral adipose depots, epididymal and retroperitoneal, as well as the resistin serum concentration during aging and food restriction. Total protein levels of resistin were also analyzed in extracts from both visceral adipose depots. Resistin variants show similar patterns of relative expression in visceral adipose tissues in 3-month-old rats, representing the short variant, s-resistin, which is 15% of the full-length transcript. However, only epididymal, but not retroperitoneal, fat pad shows a decrease in both messenger RNA and protein levels of resistin isoforms with aging. Food restriction decreases adiposity index in 8- and 24-month-old animals to values even lower than those of 3-month-old animals. Food restriction decreases resistin expression in both adipose tissues in 8-month-old but not in 24-month-old rats. Interestingly, concomitant with the improvement of insulin sensitivity asserted by homeostasis model assessment, resistin serum levels decrease only in food-restricted 8-month-old animals. In contrast, food restriction up-regulates s-resistin messenger RNA in epididymal adipose tissue, whereas no significant changes are appreciated in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. These data indicate that both forms of resistin are differentially regulated by fat depot location, aging, and even nutritional status, suggesting that alternative splicing plays a key role in this differential regulation.

Central leptin regulates total ceramide content and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1C proteolytic maturation in rat white adipose tissue

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with insulin and leptin resistance, and increased ceramide contents in target tissues. Because the adipose tissue has become a central focus in these diseases, and leptin-induced increases in insulin sensitivity may be related to effects of leptin on lipid metabolism, we investigated herein whether central leptin was able to regulate total ceramide levels and the expression of enzymes involved in ceramide metabolism in rat white adipose tissue (WAT). After 7 d central leptin treatment, the total content of ceramides was analyzed by quantitative shotgun lipidomics mass spectrometry. The effects of leptin on the expression of several enzymes of the sphingolipid metabolism, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c, and insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG-1) in this tissue were studied. Total ceramide levels were also determined after surgical WAT denervation. Central leptin infusion significantly decreased both total ceramide content and the long-chain fatty acid ceramide species in WAT. Concomitant with these results, leptin decreased the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in de novo ceramide synthesis (SPT-1, LASS2, LASS4) and ceramide production from sphingomyelin (SMPD-1/2). The mRNA levels of enzymes of ceramide degradation (Asah1/2) and utilization (sphingomyelin synthase, ceramide kinase, glycosyl-ceramide synthase, GM3 synthase) were also down-regulated. Ceramide-lowering effects of central leptin were prevented by local autonomic nervous system denervation of WAT. Finally, central leptin treatment markedly increased INSIG-1 mRNA expression and impaired SREBP-1c activation in epididymal WAT. These observations indicate that in vivo central leptin, acting through the autonomic nervous system, regulates total ceramide levels and SREBP-1c proteolytic maturation in WAT, probably contributing to improve the overall insulin sensitivity.

Leptin resistance: a prediposing factor for diet-induced obesity

Obesity is a resilient and complex chronic disease. One potential causative factor in the obesity syndrome is leptin resistance. Leptin behaves as a potent anorexic and energy-enhancing hormone in most young or lean animals, but its effects are diminished or lacking in the obese state associated with a normal genetic background. Emerging evidence suggests that leptin resistance predisposes the animal to exacerbated diet-induced obesity (DIO). Elevation of central leptin in young, lean rats induces a leptin resistance that precludes obesity on a chow diet but accelerates high-fat (HF)-induced obesity. Similarly, chronic dietary fructose consumption evokes a leptin resistance that causes obesity only upon HF exposure. Inherent central leptin insensitivity also contributes to dietary weight gain in certain obesity-prone rats. Conversely, aged, leptin-resistant animals are obese with continuous chow feeding and demonstrate aggravated obesity when challenged with an HF diet. Additionally, a submaximal central blockade with a leptin antagonist leads to obesity on both chow and HF diets, as is the case in rodents with leptin receptor deficiency of genetic origin. Despite the differences in the incidence of obesity on a chow diet, all of these forms of leptin resistance predispose rodents to aggravated HF-mediated obesity. Moreover, once leptin resistance takes hold, it aggravates DIO, and the leptin resistance and obesity compound one another, promoting a vicious cycle of escalating weight gain.

Exercise training decreases plasma leptin levels and the expression of hepatic leptin receptor-a, -b, and, -e in rats

In addition to acting in the central nervous system, leptin also acts on peripheral tissues such as liver to provide a protection against lipid accretion. Previous evidence from human and animal model indicates that exercise training reduces circulating leptin levels beyond the changes in adiposity levels. Because liver is one of the main peripheral organs for leptin action, this present study was designed to determine whether leptin receptors expression in liver is changed by exercise training. Female rats trained (TR) or kept sedentary (Sed) for 8 weeks were submitted either to a standard (SD) diet for 8 weeks or for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks of high-fat (HF) or high-carbohydrate (HC) feeding. Food intake, adiposity levels, circulating plasma leptin and insulin concentrations along with the hepatic expression of leptin receptors (ObR-a, -b, and -e) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), were measured in all the animals. Intra-abdominal fat depots were increased under the HF but not under the HC diet. As expected, exercise training decreases intra-abdominal adiposity in animals fed with the SD and the HF diet, and to a lesser extent in HC-fed rats. Plasma leptin levels either expressed in absolute values or in values relative to adiposity levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the HF diet and significantly decreased in TR animals, independently of the diet. Moreover, a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in hepatic gene expression of ObR-a, -b and -e was found in TR animals in all the three diet conditions. PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha mRNAs were also decreased (P < 0.05) in TR animals in two out of three diet conditions. The present findings indicate that exercise training-induced decrease in plasma leptin levels is accompanied by a reduction in gene expression of three different isoforms of leptin receptors in liver.

Long form of leptin receptor gene and protein expression in the porcine trophoblast and uterine tissues during early pregnancy and the oestrous cycle

Leptin, the product of the OB gene, is a 16-kDa polypeptide of 146 amino acid residues produced mainly by adipocytes that regulates metabolism and reproduction. The actions of leptin are mediated mainly via the long form of the leptin receptor (OB-Rb). The identification of leptin and OB-Rb mRNAs and proteins in human and mouse endometrium, and placental trophoblast suggests that leptin may be involved in the implantation process. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the expression levels of porcine OB-Rb mRNA and protein in the endometrium and myometrium during mid- and late-luteal phases of the oestrous cycle (days 10-12 and 14-16, respectively) as well as during two stages of pregnancy respondent to the beginning of the implantation process (days 14-16) and the post-implantation period (days 30-32), and in trophoblast during both periods of pregnancy. OB-Rb gene expression in endometrium during the examined stages of pregnancy and the mid- and late-luteal phases of the cycle was at the same level. In contrast, in myometrium leptin receptor gene expression decreased on days 14-16 of pregnancy compared to both phases of the cycle, and on days 30-32 of pregnancy in relation to late-luteal phase. OB-Rb protein expression in the tissues was lower during the examined stages of pregnancy in comparison to the mid- and late-luteal phases of the cycle. In trophoblast, OB-Rb mRNA and protein expression was higher on days 30-32 than during days 14-16 of pregnancy. In conclusion, our results might suggest that leptin can participate in the control of pig reproduction by exercising its action at the uterine and trophoblast level and have a direct effect on these organ during both the luteal phase of the cycle and early pregnancy. Moreover, changes in OB-Rb gene and protein expression in tissues of pig reproductive tract strongly suggest that their sensitivity to leptin varies throughout luteal phase of the cycle and early pregnancy.