Development of new LXR modulators that regulate LXR target genes and reduce lipogenesis in human cell models

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruit Extract Lowers SREBP-1c and C/EBPα in Liver and Alters Various PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, LXR-α Target Genes in Cholesterol-Rich Diet Rabbit Model

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits, abundant in iridoids and anthocyanins, are natural products with proven beneficial impacts on the functions of the cardiovascular system and the liver. This study aims to assess and compare whether and to what extent two different doses of resin-purified cornelian cherry extract (10 mg/kg b.w. or 50 mg/kg b.w.) applied in a cholesterol-rich diet rabbit model affect the levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), and various liver X receptor-α (LXR-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) target genes. Moreover, the aim is to evaluate the resistive index (RI) of common carotid arteries (CCAs) and aortas, and histopathological changes in CCAs. For this purpose, the levels of SREBP-1c, C/EBPα, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), endothelial lipase (LIPG), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), and adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) in liver tissue were measured. Also, the levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (Vaspin), and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) in visceral adipose tissue were measured. The RI of CCAs and aortas, and histopathological changes in CCAs, were indicated. The oral administration of the cornelian cherry extract decreased the SREBP-1c and C/EBPα in both doses. The dose of 10 mg/kg b.w. increased ABCA1 and decreased FAS, CPT1A, and RBP4, and the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. enhanced ABCG1 and AdipoR2. Mitigations in atheromatous changes in rabbits' CCAs were also observed. The obtained outcomes were compared to the results of our previous works. The beneficial results confirm that cornelian cherry fruit extract may constitute a potentially effective product in the prevention and treatment of obesity-related disorders.

Dammarane triterpenes and phytosterols from Dysoxylum tpongense Pierre and their anti-inflammatory activity against liver X receptors and NF-κB activation

Dysoxylum tpongense Pierre (local name 'Huynh Dan Bap') belonging to family Meliaceae, is a tree (3-10 m height), distributed in the mountainous areas (ca. 1000 m a.s.l.) in North Vietnam. From the dichloromethane fraction of the methanol extract of the leaves and stems of this plant, six dammarane triterpenes, one furanoid diterpene together with three sterols were isolated. Evaluation of biological activities of isolated compounds showed that cabraleahydroxylactone (5), cabraleahydroxylactone 3-acetate (6), and stigmast-4-en-3-one (10) possessed an anti-inflammatory effect against Liver X receptor (LXR) activation in HepG2 cell line model with IC50 values of 20.29 ± 3.69, 24.32 ± 2.99, and 7.09 ± 0.97 (μM), respectively. While three other triterpenoid compounds aglinin C 3- acetate (1), aglinin C (2), and 24-epi-cabraleadiol (4) presented the most significant inhibitory effect against TNF-α induced NF-κB activation in HepG2 cell line in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 12.45 ± 2.37, 23.32 ± 3.25, and 13.95 ± 1.57 μM, respectively. As stigmast-4-en-3-one (10), with structure closely similar to cholesterol, acted selectively on LXRs but not on NF-kB activation pathway, this suggests that stigmast-4-en-3-one (10) can be potentially applied as an agonist on LXR signaling pathway. Pathways LXRs-NF-κB-iNOS expression have a close relationship and play a crucial role in proceeding metabolic abnormalities like atherosclerosis, obesity, inflammation, etc. Thus, the findings showed that dammarane-type triterpenoids from D. tpongense are worthy of further investigation for potential LXR agonists and potent anti-atherogenic agents against atherosclerotic lesion progression.

The LXR Ligand T0901317 Acutely Inhibits Insulin Secretion by Affecting Mitochondrial Metabolism

The role of liver X receptor (LXR) in pancreatic β-cell physiology and pathophysiology is still unclear. It has been postulated that chronic LXR activation in β-cells induces lipotoxicity, a key step in the development of β-cell dysfunction, which accompanies type 2 diabetes mellitus. In most of these studies, the LXR ligand T0901317 has been administered chronically in the micromolar range to study the significance of LXR activation. In the current study, we have evaluated acute effects of T0901317 on stimulus-secretion coupling of β-cells. We found that 10 µM T0901317 completely suppressed oscillations of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration induced by 15 mM glucose. Obviously, this effect was due to inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism. T0901317 markedly depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential, thus inhibiting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reducing the cytosolic ATP concentration. This led in turn to a huge increase in KATP current and hyperpolarization of the cell membrane potential. Eventually, T0901317 inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion. These effects were rapid in on-set and not compatible with the activation of a nuclear receptor. In vivo, T0901317 acutely increased the blood glucose concentration after intraperitoneal application. In summary, these data clearly demonstrate that T0901317 exerts acute effects on stimulus-secretion coupling. This observation questions the chronic use of T0901317 and limits the interpretation of results obtained under these experimental conditions.

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation of new oxysterols as modulators of the liver X receptors

Liver X Receptor (LXR) modulators have shown potential as drugs since they target genes affecting metabolism and fatty acid synthesis. LXR antagonists are of particular interest since they are able to reduce the synthesis of complex fatty acids and glucose uptake. Based on molecular modeling, five new cholesterol mimics were synthesized, where four contained a hydroxyl group in the 22-S-position. The new compounds were screened in vitro against several genes affecting lipid metabolism. The compound that performed best in vitro was a dimethylamide derivative of 22(S)-hydroxycholesterol and it was chosen for in vivo testing. However, the blood plasma analysis from the in vivo tests revealed a concentration lower than needed to give any response, indicating either rapid metabolism or low bioavailability.

Crystal structure of (S)-2-[(3S,8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-3-hy-droxy-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetra-deca-hydro-1H-cyclo-penta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]-N-meth-oxy-N-methyl-pro-pan-amide (Fernholz Weinreb amide)

The literature compound 3β-hy-droxy-bis-nor-5-cholenic aldehyde is an important inter-mediate for the synthesis of new modulators of the nuclear oxysterol receptor Liver X. As part of our ongoing search for new LXR antagonists, the title compound, C24H39NO3, has proven to be an important inter-mediate in our new synthetic pathway, giving the corresponding aldehyde in high yield and in only three steps from the commercially available 3β-hy-droxy-bis-nor-5-cholenic acid. The title amide crystallized with two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit, linked into helices by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the hy-droxy and carbonyl groups.