Insulin-sensitive glucose transporter transcript levels in calf muscles assessed with a bovine GLUT4 cDNA fragment

Skeletal muscle glucose transporter (GLUT-4) protein is decreased in lactating goats

Lactation in goats is associated with an insulin resistance manifested by an impairment of the ability of insulin maximally to stimulate skeletal muscle glucose utilization. The mechanism responsible for this modification is unknown. Therefore an investigation was made of the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT-4) in three skeletal muscles from six lactating (peak of lactation) and six non-lactating goats. GLUT-4 protein content was assessed in crude membrane preparations and Triton X-100 extracts by Western-blot analysis. Lactation resulted in a decrease in GLUT-4 protein content. This decrease was more pronounced in oxidoglycolytic muscles (proportionately -0·40 to -0·60 in m. tensor fasciae latae and longissimus dorsi) than in oxidative muscles (-0·20 in masseter). Down-regulation of the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT-4) expression in skeletal muscles from lactating goats may be responsible for the decrease in insulin responsiveness of glucose utilization previously observed in vivo.

Abundance of some skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteins is associated with increased blood serum insulin in bovine fetuses

The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of the abundance of cytochrome oxidase c subunit IV (NCOIV) and beta subunit of ATP synthase (β-ATP) during the last third of gestation in bovine skeletal muscles. Semitendinosus, longissimus thoracis and rectus abdominis muscles were chosen for the immunoblotting of the respective protein levels. Muscle and blood samples from bovine fetuses of randomly selected breeds were collected at 180, 210, and 260 days post-conception (dpc). The muscle tissue expressions of NCOIV, β-ATP were compared to blood glucose and insulin. At 260 dpc, protein levels of NCOIV raised in skeletal muscles. Additionally, β-ATP in semitendinosus and longissimus thoracis were elevated and paralleled by higher concentrations of blood serum insulin. It corroborates our previous observations indicating that accelerated metabolic differentiation of bovine skeletal muscles is associated with elevated blood insulin and occurs during the last trimester of gestation. Our observations point to the connection between insulin-sensitivity and the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial contribution to ontogenesis of skeletal muscles.

Distribution patterns of the glucose transporters GLUT4 and GLUT1 in skeletal muscles of rats (Rattus norvegicus), pigs (Sus scrofa), cows (Bos taurus), adult goats, goat kids (Capra hircus), and camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Earlier studies demonstrated that forestomach herbivores are less insulin sensitive than monogastric omnivores. The present study was carried out to determine if different distribution patterns of the glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 may contribute to these different insulin sensitivities. Western blotting was used to measure GLUT1 and GLUT4 protein contents in oxidative (masseter, diaphragm) and glycolytic (longissimus lumborum, semitendinosus) skeletal muscle membranes of monogastric omnivores (rats and pigs), and of forestomach herbivores (cows, adult goats, goat kids, and camels). Muscles were characterized biochemically. Comparing red and white muscles, the isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activity was 1.5-15-times higher in oxidative muscles of all species, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was 1.4-4.4-times higher in glycolytic muscles except in adult goats. GLUT4 levels were 1.5-6.3-times higher in oxidative muscles. GLUT1 levels were 2.2-8.3-times higher in glycolytic muscles in forestomach herbivores but not in monogastric animals. We conclude that GLUT1 may be the predominant glucose transporter in glycolytic muscles of ruminating animals. The GLUT1 distribution patterns were identical in adult and pre-ruminant goats, indicating that GLUT1 expression among these muscles is determined genetically. The high blood glucose levels of camels cited in literature may be due to an "NIDDM-like" impaired GLUT4 activity in skeletal muscle.

Growth hormone receptor gene expression in the skeletal muscle of normal and double-muscled bovines during foetal development

The expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene was investigated in semitendinosus muscle during bovine foetal development in both normal and double-muscled Charolais foetuses which differ with respect to muscle development. Northern-blot analysis of foetal muscle RNA preparations with a GHR cDNA probe identified the 4.5 kb GHR mRNA as early as 130 days post-conception. In double-muscled animals, the expression of GHR mRNA increased from 130 to 210 days of gestation while it stayed stable in normal ones. It was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in double-muscled foetuses compared to normal ones from the second third of gestation. Northern-blot analysis of foetal muscle RNA preparations from both genotypes with a beta-actin cDNA probe, revealed lower beta-actin gene expression in double-muscled foetuses than in normal ones, suggesting a delay in the differentiation of muscle cells. In situ hybridisation revealed the localisation of specific GHR mRNA in muscle cells at all gestation stages analysed (130, 170, 210 days post-conception) but not in connective tissue surrounding the muscle cells. At the adult stage, the hybridisation signal was also very high and observed in muscle cells only. These results show the ontogeny of GHR mRNA in bovine muscle and demonstrate a difference between normal and double-muscled animals.

Mechanisms of insulin-dependent glucose transport into porcine and bovine skeletal muscle

Euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp tests have shown that adult ruminants are less insulin-sensitive than monogastric omnivores. The present study was carried out to elucidate possible cellular mechanisms contributing to this impaired insulin sensitivity of ruminants. Western blotting was used to measure glucose transporters 1 and 4 (GLUT1, GLUT4) in oxidative (musculus masseter and diaphragm) and glycolytic (musculus longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus) skeletal muscle in the crude membranes of pigs and cows. Muscles were characterized biochemically. To determine insulin-stimulated 3-O-D-[(3)H]-methylglucose (3-O-MG) uptake and GLUT4 translocation, porcine and bovine musculus semitendinosus strips were removed by open muscle biopsy and incubated without and with 0.1 or 20 mIU insulin/ml. GLUT4 translocation was analyzed using subcellular fractionation techniques to isolate partially purified plasma membranes and cytoplasmic vesicles and using Western blotting. GLUT4 protein contents were significantly higher in oxidative than in glycolytic muscles in pigs and cows. GLUT1 protein contents were significantly higher in glycolytic than in oxidative muscles in bovines but not in porcines. The 3-O-MG uptake into musculus semitendinosus was similar in both species. Maximum insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation into musculus semitendinosus plasma membrane was significantly lower in bovines than in porcines. These results indicate that GLUT1 is the predominant glucose transporter in bovine glycolytic muscles and that a reinforced insulin-independent glucose uptake via GLUT1 may compensate for the impaired insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, resulting in a similar 3-O-MG uptake in bovine and porcine musculus semitendinosus. These findings may explain at least in part the impaired in vivo insulin sensitivity of adult ruminants compared with that of omnivorous monogastric animals.

Effects of exercise and glucose administration on content of insulin-sensitive glucose transporter in equine skeletal muscle

OBJECTIVES

To characterize insulin-sensitive glucose-transporter (GLUT-4) protein in equine tissues and determine effects of exercise and glucose administration on content of GLUT-4 protein in equine skeletal muscle.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Tissue samples from 9 horses.

PROCEDURES

Western blot analyses were performed on crude membrane preparations of equine tissues to characterize GLUT-4. In a crossover, randomized study, horses were strenuously exercised for 3 consecutive days and then administered 13.5% glucose or isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl; control) solution, i.v., at similar infusion rates for 12.1 hours. Samples were collected from the middle gluteal muscle before and after exercise and 10.1 hours after completion of an infusion and used for measurements of glycogen concentration and total content of GLUT-4 protein.

RESULTS

Immunoblot analyses detected specifically immunoreactive bands for GLUT-4 in insulin-sensitive tissues. Content of GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle increased significantly by 27.3 and 12.3% 22.2 hours after exercise for control and glucose groups, respectively. Intravenous infusion of glucose resulted in a significantly higher rate of glycogenesis, compared with results for the control group (mean +/- SD, 3.98 +/- 0.61 and 1.47 +/- 0.20 mmol/kg/h, respectively). Despite enhanced glycogenesis, we did not detect an increase in content of GLUT-4 protein after glucose infusion, compared with values after exercise.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

GLUT-4 protein was expressed in equine skeletal and cardiac muscles. Exercise increased total content of GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle, and replenishment of muscle glycogen stores after glucose infusion attenuated the exercise-induced increase in the content of GLUT-4 protein in equine skeletal muscle.

Justification for antioxidant preconditioning (or how to protect insulin-mediated actions under oxidative stress)

Insulin resistance is characterized by impaired glucose utilization in the peripheral tissues, accelerated muscle protein degradation, impaired antioxidant defences and extensive cell death. Apparently, both insulin and IGF-1 at physiological concentrations support cell survival by phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-dependent and independent mechanisms. Postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are found in insulin resistance, which accompanies the so-called noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (diabetes type 2). Evidence also indicates that increased susceptibility of muscle cells and cardiomycoytes to oxidative stress is among the harmful complications of insulin resistance and diabetes. Limited knowledge showing benefits of preconditioning with anti- oxidants (vitamin C, E, a-lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine) in order to protect insulin action under oxidative stress prompted the author to discuss the theoretical background to this approach. It should be stressed that antioxidant preconditioning is relevant to prevention of both diabetes- and insulin resistance-associated side-effects such as low viability and cell deletion. Furthermore, antioxidant conditioning promises to provide higher efficacy for clinical applications in myoblast transfer therapy and cardiomyoplasty.

Common practice in molecular biology may introduce statistical bias and misleading biological interpretation

In studies on enzyme activity or gene expression at the protein level, data are usually analyzed by using a standard curve after subtracting blank values. In most cases and for most techniques (spectrophotometric assays, ELISA), this approach satisfies the basic principles of linearity and specificity. In our experience, this might be also the case for Western-blot analysis. By contrast, mRNA data are usually presented as arbitrary units of the ratio of a target RNA over levels of a control RNA species. We here demonstrate by simple experiments and various examples that this data-normalization procedure may result in misleading conclusions. Common molecular biology techniques have never been carefully tested according to the basic principles of validation of quantitative techniques. We thus prefer a regression-based approach for quantifying mRNA levels relatively to a control RNA species by Northern-blot, semi-quantitative RT-PCR or similar techniques. This type of techniques is also characterized by a lower reproducibility for repeated assays when compared to biochemical analyses. Therefore, we also recommend to design experiments, which allow the detection of a similar range of variance by biochemical and molecular biology techniques. Otherwise, spurious conclusions may be provided regarding the control level of gene expression.

Short-term mild hyperglycemia enhances insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in lactating goats

This work was designed to study the effect of a 3-day mild hyperglycemia (5.3 vs. 3.3 mM) on the regulation of glucose metabolism in lactating goats. Glucose was intravenously infused at variable rates simultaneously with a constant potassium-amino acid infusion. Diet plus substrate infusion maintained net energy but not protein supply. Milk yield did not change. Skeletal muscle glucose transporter (GLUT-4) was analyzed before and after hyperglycemia. In addition, the acute effect of medium and high insulin doses on glucose turnover was measured in vivo during euglycemic and hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps under potassium and amino acid replacement. Hyperglycemia reduced the endogenous glucose appearance but increased glucose disposal. It decreased the total membrane-associated GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle. In contrast, it improved the acute insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. Both the level and duration (3 days) of hyperglycemia contributed to this improvement. We conclude that short-term mild hyperglycemia has similar effects in lactating goats as those already observed in nonlactating rodents or humans.

Weaning affects lipoprotein lipase activity and gene expression in adipose tissues and in masseter but not in other muscles of the calf

The nutritional and physiological modifications that occur during the weaning period induce adaptations of tissue metabolism in all mammal species. Among the adaptations due to weaning in ruminants, the regulation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, one of the rate-limiting steps of fatty acid utilization by tissues, was still unknown. The present study aimed at comparing LPL activity and gene expression in the heart, seven skeletal muscles and three adipose tissue sites between two groups of seven preruminant (PR) or ruminant (R) calves having a similar age (170 d), similar empty body weight (194 kg) at slaughter, and similar net energy intake from birth onwards. Triacylglycerol content of adipose tissues was 16 % lower in R than in PR calves, This could be partly the result from a lower LPL activity (-57 %, ). LPL mRNA levels were also lower in R calves (-48 % to -68 %, ) suggesting a pretranslational regulation of LPL activity. Activity and mRNA levels of LPL did not differ significantly in the heart and skeletal muscles except in the masseter in which LPL activity and mRNA levels were higher (+50 % and +120 % respectively, ) in the R calves. Regulation of LPL in masseter could be explained by the high contractile activity of this muscle after weaning due to solid food chewing. In conclusion, weaning in the calf affects LPL activity and expression in adipose tissues, but not in skeletal muscles except the masseter.

Lipoprotein lipase activity and mRNA levels in bovine tissues

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in cattle has been extensively studied in adipose tissue, milk and mammary gland, but only to a limited extent in muscles. Therefore, we have adapted our in vitro LPL assay method for the measurement of LPL activity and describe, for the first time, sensitive procedures to quantify LPL activity and mRNA levels in bovine muscles. In vitro activation of bovine LPL activity is approximately 5-fold greater with rat than with bovine sera for heart and muscles, but not for adipose tissues. Values of LPL activity are in the upper range of those previously reported for rat or bovine tissues. With rat serum as activator, LPL activity in the heart of seven calves (662-832 mU g-1) is at least 3-fold lower than in the rat heart (2150-2950 mU g-1, P < 0.05). LPL activity is higher in bovine heart and oxidative muscles (412-972 mU g-1), except the diaphragm, than in mixed or glycolytic muscles (33-154 mU g-1, P < 0.05). The levels of LPL transcripts are positively related to LPL activity in bovine tissues, including muscles and adipose tissues.

Weaning marginally affects glucose transporter (GLUT4) expression in calf muscles and adipose tissues

The nutritional regulation of glucose transporter GLUT4 was studied in eight muscles and four adipose tissues from two groups of preruminant (PR) or ruminant (R) calves of similar age (170 d), empty body weight (194 kg) at slaughter, and level of net energy intake from birth onwards. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.41) activity in muscles was not different between PR and R except in masseter muscle from the cheek (+71% in R; P < 0.003), which becomes almost constantly active at weaning for food chewing. Basal and maximally-insulin-stimulated glucose transport rate (GTR) per g tissue wet weight in rectus abdominis muscle were significantly higher in R calves (+31 and 41% respectively; P < 0.05). GLUT4 protein contents did not differ in muscles from PR and R except in masseter (+74% in R; P < 0.05) indicating that the increased GTR in rectus abdominis cannot be accounted for by an enhanced GLUT4 expression. GLUT4 mRNA levels did not differ between the two groups of animals in all muscles suggesting a regulation of GLUT4 at the protein level in masseter. GLUT4 number expressed on a per cell basis was lower in adipose tissue from R calves (-39%; P < 0.05) and higher in internal than in peripheral adipose tissues. In summary, the regulation of GLUT4 in calves at weaning differs markedly from that previously described in rodents (for review, see Girard et al. 1992). Furthermore, significant inter-individual variations were shown for metabolic activities in muscle and for biochemical variables in adipose tissue.