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Basset-Sagarminaga J, van de Weijer T, Iozzo P, Schrauwen P, Schrauwen-Hinderling V. Advances and challenges in measuring hepatic glucose uptake with FDG PET: implications for diabetes research. Diabetologia 2024; 67:407-419. [PMID: 38099962 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-06055-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The liver plays a crucial role in the control of glucose homeostasis and is therefore of great interest in the investigation of the development of type 2 diabetes. Hepatic glucose uptake (HGU) can be measured through positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the tracer [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). HGU is dependent on many variables (e.g. plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon concentrations), and the metabolic state for HGU assessment should be chosen with care and coherence with the study question. In addition, as HGU is influenced by many factors, protocols and measurement conditions need to be standardised for reproducible results. This review provides insights into the protocols that are available for the measurement of HGU by FDG PET and discusses the current state of knowledge of HGU and its impairment in type 2 diabetes. Overall, a scanning modality that allows for the measurement of detailed kinetic information and influx rates (dynamic imaging) may be preferable to static imaging. The combination of FDG PET and insulin stimulation is crucial to measure tissue-specific insulin sensitivity. While the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp allows for standardised measurements under controlled blood glucose levels, some research questions might require a more physiological approach, such as oral glucose loading, with both advantages and complexities relating to fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. The available approaches to address HGU hold great potential but await more systematic exploitation to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases. Current findings from the investigation of HGU by FDG PET highlight the complex interplay between insulin resistance, hepatic glucose metabolism, NEFA levels and intrahepatic lipid accumulation in type 2 diabetes and obesity. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for improving HGU in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Basset-Sagarminaga
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tineke van de Weijer
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Patricia Iozzo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrick Schrauwen
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Vera Schrauwen-Hinderling
- Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Zhang Z, Ji G, Li M. Glucokinase regulatory protein: a balancing act between glucose and lipid metabolism in NAFLD. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1247611. [PMID: 37711901 PMCID: PMC10497960 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1247611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease worldwide, affected by both genetics and environment. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) stands as an independent environmental risk factor that precipitates the onset of hepatic steatosis and accelerates its progression to severe stages of liver damage. Furthermore, the coexistence of T2D and NAFLD magnifies the risk of cardiovascular disease synergistically. However, the association between genetic susceptibility and metabolic risk factors in NAFLD remains incompletely understood. The glucokinase regulator gene (GCKR), responsible for encoding the glucokinase regulatory protein (GKRP), acts as a regulator and protector of the glucose-metabolizing enzyme glucokinase (GK) in the liver. Two common variants (rs1260326 and rs780094) within the GCKR gene have been associated with a lower risk for T2D but a higher risk for NAFLD. Recent studies underscore that T2D presence significantly amplifies the effect of the GCKR gene, thereby increasing the risk of NASH and fibrosis in NAFLD patients. In this review, we focus on the critical roles of GKRP in T2D and NAFLD, drawing upon insights from genetic and biological studies. Notably, prior attempts at drug development targeting GK with glucokinase activators (GKAs) have shown potential risks of augmented plasma triglycerides or NAFLD. Conversely, overexpression of GKRP in diabetic rats improved glucose tolerance without causing NAFLD, suggesting the crucial regulatory role of GKRP in maintaining hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism balance. Collectively, this review sheds new light on the complex interaction between genes and environment in NAFLD, focusing on the GCKR gene. By integrating evidence from genetics, biology, and drug development, we reassess the therapeutic potential of targeting GK or GKRP for metabolic disease treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that selectively activating GK or enhancing GK-GKRP binding may represent a holistic strategy for restoring glucose and lipid metabolic balance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meng Li
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Huang YN, Chen SY, Lin JA, Chiang IC, Yen GC. Phyllanthus emblica L. extract alleviates leptin resistance and lipid accumulation by inhibiting methylglyoxal production. FOOD BIOSCI 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2023.102619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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Hayden MR. Overview and New Insights into the Metabolic Syndrome: Risk Factors and Emerging Variables in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes and Cerebrocardiovascular Disease. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59030561. [PMID: 36984562 PMCID: PMC10059871 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a metabolic disorder that has been steadily increasing globally and seems to parallel the increasing prevalence of obesity. It consists of a cluster of risk factors which traditionally includes obesity and hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. These four core risk factors are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and, importantly, the MetS is known to increase the risk for developing cerebrocardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The MetS had its early origins in IR and syndrome X. It has undergone numerous name changes, with additional risk factors and variables being added over the years; however, it has remained as the MetS worldwide for the past three decades. This overview continues to add novel insights to the MetS and suggests that leptin resistance with hyperleptinemia, aberrant mitochondrial stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS), impaired folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism with hyperhomocysteinemia, vascular stiffening, microalbuminuria, and visceral adipose tissues extracellular vesicle exosomes be added to the list of associated variables. Notably, the role of a dysfunctional and activated endothelium and deficient nitric oxide bioavailability along with a dysfunctional and attenuated endothelial glycocalyx, vascular inflammation, systemic metainflammation, and the important role of ROS and reactive species interactome are discussed. With new insights and knowledge regarding the MetS comes the possibility of new findings through further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin R Hayden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Manuel Sánchez DM, Limón D, Silva Gómez AB. Obese male Zucker rats exhibit dendritic remodeling in neurons of the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit as well as spatial memory deficits. Hippocampus 2022; 32:828-838. [PMID: 36177907 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is characterized by excessive fat accumulation. The Zucker rat displays genetic obesity due to a mutation in the leptin receptor gene; this model is of great interest because of its similarity to human obesity. Brain regions may be affected by obesity, but detailed information is lacking. In the present study, we analyzed the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit as well as the spatial memory of obese Zucker rats. We performed two experiments. Each experiment contained two experimental groups: the control group (male Long Evans rats) and the study group (obese male Zucker rats). We monitored the body weights of all rats over 4 weeks. In the first experiment, we analyzed the morphology of hippocampal neurons. Under anesthesia, we measured the abdominal and hip circumferences and collected at least 1 ml of blood to assess serum glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TGC), and cholesterol (COL) concentrations. We perfused the brains of these rats with 0.9% saline solution, incubated the brains in Golgi-Cox solution, and subsequently evaluated the morphology of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus (the CA1-CA3 regions) and the entorhinal cortex as well as the morphology of granule neurons in the dentate gyrus. In the second experiment, we assessed the spatial memory of animals with the Morris water maze. The Zucker rats had an obese phenotype, as indicated by their elevated body weight and increased abdominal and hip circumferences as well as elevated GLU, COL, and TGC concentrations. Analysis of neurons from the specified regions in obese male Zucker rats indicated reduced dendritic arborization and reduced dendritic spine density. In terms of spatial learning and memory, the obese Zucker rats exhibited intact spatial learning (i.e., of platform location) but deficits in spatial memory. These data provide evidence that obesity alters the morphology and function of hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce María Manuel Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Daniel Limón
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Adriana Berenice Silva Gómez
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
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Guzzardi MA, Collado MC, Panetta D, Tripodi M, Iozzo P. Maternal High-Fat Diet Programs White and Brown Adipose Tissues In Vivo in Mice, with Different Metabolic and Microbiota Patterns in Obesity-Susceptible or Obesity-Resistant Offspring. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12090828. [PMID: 36144232 PMCID: PMC9503350 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12090828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity causes metabolic dysfunction in the offspring, including dysbiosis, overeating, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Early-life phases are fundamental for developing subcutaneous (SAT) and brown adipose tissues (BAT), handling energy excesses. Imaging of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose by positron emission tomography (PET) and radiodensity by computerized tomography (CT) allows assessing adipose tissue (AT) whitening and browning in vivo and the underlying metabolic efficiency. Our aim was to examine these in vivo traits in SAT and BAT concerning gut microbiota composition in 1- and 6-month-old mice born to normal (NDoff) and high-fat diet-fed dams (HFDoff), accounting for body weight responses. We found low radiodensity (high lipids) in HFDoff SAT at 1 month, relating to an increased abundance of Dorea genus in the caecum and activation of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Instead, low BAT radiodensity and glucose uptake were seen in adult HFDoff. Glucose was shifted in favor of BAT at 1 month and SAT at 6 months. In adults, unclassified Enterococcaceae and Rikenellaceae, and Bacillus genera were negatively related to BAT, whereas unclassified Clostridiales genera were related to SAT metabolism. Stratification of HFDoff based on weight-response, namely maternal induced obesity (MIO-HFDoff) or obesity-resistant (MIOR-HFDoff), showed sex dimorphism. Both subgroups were hyperphagic, but only obese mice had hyper-leptinemia and hyper-resistinemia, together with BAT dysfunction, whereas non-obese HFDoff had hyperglycemia and SAT hypermetabolism. In the caecum, unclassified Rikenellaceae (10-fold enrichment in MIO-HFDoff) and Clostridiales genera (4-fold deficiency in MIOR-HFDoff) were important discriminators of these two phenotypes. In conclusion, SAT whitening is an early abnormality in the offspring of HFD dams. In adult life, maternal HFD and the induced excessive food intake translates into a dimorphic phenotype involving SAT, BAT, and microbiota distinctively, reflecting maternal diet*sex interaction. This helps explain inter-individual variability in fetal programming and the higher rates of type 2 diabetes observed in adult women born to obese mothers, supporting personalized risk assessment, prevention, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angela Guzzardi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Carmen Collado
- Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniele Panetta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Tripodi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Patricia Iozzo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-3152789
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Hepatic Positron Emission Tomography: Applications in Metabolism, Haemodynamics and Cancer. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12040321. [PMID: 35448508 PMCID: PMC9026326 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12040321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluating in vivo the metabolic rates of the human liver has been a challenge due to its unique perfusion system. Positron emission tomography (PET) represents the current gold standard for assessing non-invasively tissue metabolic rates in vivo. Here, we review the existing literature on the assessment of hepatic metabolism, haemodynamics and cancer with PET. The tracer mainly used in metabolic studies has been [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG). Its application not only enables the evaluation of hepatic glucose uptake in a variety of metabolic conditions and interventions, but based on the kinetics of 18F-FDG, endogenous glucose production can also be assessed. 14(R,S)-[18F]fluoro-6-thia-Heptadecanoic acid (18F-FTHA), 11C-Palmitate and 11C-Acetate have also been applied for the assessment of hepatic fatty acid uptake rates (18F-FTHA and 11C-Palmitate) and blood flow and oxidation (11C-Acetate). Oxygen-15 labelled water (15O-H2O) has been used for the quantification of hepatic perfusion. 18F-FDG is also the most common tracer used for hepatic cancer diagnostics, whereas 11C-Acetate has also shown some promising applications in imaging liver malignancies. The modelling approaches used to analyse PET data and also the challenges in utilizing PET in the assessment of hepatic metabolism are presented.
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Guzzardi MA, La Rosa F, Campani D, Cacciato Insilla A, Nannipieri M, Brunetto MR, Bonino F, Iozzo P. Evidence of a Gastro-Duodenal Effect on Adipose Tissue and Brain Metabolism, Potentially Mediated by Gut-Liver Inflammation: A Study with Positron Emission Tomography and Oral 18FDG in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052659. [PMID: 35269799 PMCID: PMC8910830 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Interventions affecting gastrointestinal (GI) physiology suggest that the GI tract plays an important role in modulating the uptake of ingested glucose by body tissues. We aimed at validating the use of positron emission tomography (PET) with oral 18FDG administration in mice, and to examine GI effects on glucose metabolism in adipose tissues, brain, heart, muscle, and liver, and interfering actions of oral lipid co-administration. We performed sequential whole-body PET studies in 3 groups of 10 mice, receiving i.p. glucose and 18FDG or oral glucose and 18FDG ± lipids, to measure tissue glucose uptake (GU) and GI transit, and compute the absorption lumped constant (LCa) as ratio of oral 18FDG-to-glucose incremental blood levels. GI and liver histology and circulating hormones were tested to generate explanatory hypothesis. Median LCa was 1.18, constant over time and not significantly affected by lipid co-ingestion. Compared to the i.p. route, the oral route (GI effect) resulted in lower GU rates in adipose tissues and brain, and a greater steatohepatitis score (+17%, p = 0.03). Lipid co-administration accelerated GI transit, in relation to the suppression in GIP, GLP1, glucagon, PP, and PYY (GI motility regulators), abolishing GI effects on subcutaneous fat GU. Duodenal crypt size, gastric wall 18FDG uptake, and macro-vesicular steatosis were inversely related to adipose tissue GU, and positively associated with liver GU. We conclude that 18FDG-PET is a suitable tool to examine the role of the GI tract on glucose transit, absorption, and bio-distribution. The GI effect consists in the suppression of glucose metabolism selectively in organs responsible for energy intake and storage, and is blunted by lipid ingestion. Modulation of gut and liver inflammation, as reflected by high GU, may be involved in the acute signalling of the energy status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angela Guzzardi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.A.G.); (F.L.R.)
| | - Federica La Rosa
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.A.G.); (F.L.R.)
| | - Daniela Campani
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Pathology, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.I.)
| | - Andrea Cacciato Insilla
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Pathology, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.I.)
| | - Monica Nannipieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.N.); (M.R.B.)
| | - Maurizia Rossana Brunetto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.N.); (M.R.B.)
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Medical Specialties, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Pathology of Hepatitis Viruses, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Ferruccio Bonino
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Patricia Iozzo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.A.G.); (F.L.R.)
- Correspondence:
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