Effects of cAMP modulators on long-chain fatty-acid uptake and utilization by electrically stimulated rat cardiac myocytes

Energy metabolism: A newly emerging target of BMP signaling in bone homeostasis

Energy metabolism is the process of generating energy (i.e. ATP) from nutrients. This process is indispensable for cell homeostasis maintenance and responses to varying conditions. Cells require energy for growth and maintenance and have evolved to have multiple pathways to produce energy. Both genetic and functional studies have demonstrated that energy metabolism, such as glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism, plays important roles in the formation and function of bone cells including osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts. Dysregulation of energy metabolism in bone cells consequently disturbs the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Metabolic diseases have also been reported to affect bone homeostasis. Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling plays critical roles in regulating the formation and function of bone cells, thus affecting bone development and homeostasis. Mutations of BMP signaling-related genes in mice have been reported to show abnormalities in energy metabolism in many tissues, including bone. In addition, BMP signaling correlates with critical signaling pathways such as mTOR, HIF, Wnt, and self-degradative process autophagy to coordinate energy metabolism and bone homeostasis. These findings will provide a newly emerging target of BMP signaling and potential therapeutic strategies and the improved management of bone diseases. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of (1) energy metabolism in regulating the formation and function of bone cells, (2) function of BMP signaling in whole body energy metabolism, and (3) mechanistic interaction of BMP signaling with other signaling pathways and biological processes critical for energy metabolism and bone homeostasis.

Oral administration of dibutyryl adenosine cyclophosphate improved growth performance in weaning piglets by enhancing lipid fatty acids metabolism

Dibutyryl adenosine cyclophosphate (dbcAMP-Ca), an analog of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), plays greater roles in regulating physiological activities and energy metabolism than cAMP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of dbcAMP-Ca on growth performance and fatty acids metabolism in weaning piglets. A total of 14 early weaning piglets (7 ± 1 d of age, 3.31 ± 0.09 kg, Landrace × Large White × Duroc) were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group and dbcAMP-Ca group, and the piglets received 7 mL of 0.9% NaCl or 1.5 mg dbcAMP-Ca dissolved in 7 mL of 0.9% NaCl per day for 10 d, respectively. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) increased by 109.17% (P < 0.05) in the dbcAMP-Ca group compared with the control group. Besides, dbcAMP-Ca significantly decreased blood high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) concentration (P < 0.05) and significantly increased blood low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) concentration (P ＜ 0.05) compared with the control group. Further, liver C18:2n6t content significantly increased in dbcAMP-Ca group (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. With the increase of C18:2n6t content, the mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and hormone sensitive glycerol three lipase (HSL), of which genes are related to lipid metabolism, were also significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). All of the results indicated that dbcAMP-Ca improved the ADG, which was probably done by regulating fatty acids metabolism in the liver of weaning piglets.

Unknown biological effects of L-glucose, ALA, and PUFA

Key substrates including glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids play core roles in nutrient metabolism. In this review, we describe phenomena observed when key substrates are applied to cells. We focused on three promising substrates: L-glucose derivatives, 5-aminolevulinic acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid. Since they are assumed to give a specific reaction when they are transported into cells or metabolized in cells, they are expected to be applied in a clinical setting. We provide the latest knowledge regarding their behaviors and effects on cells.

Fatty acid oxidation by the osteoblast is required for normal bone acquisition in a sex- and diet-dependent manner

Postnatal bone formation is influenced by nutritional status and compromised by disturbances in metabolism. The oxidation of dietary lipids represents a critical source of ATP for many cells but has been poorly studied in the skeleton, where the prevailing view is that glucose is the primary energy source. Here, we examined fatty acid uptake by bone and probed the requirement for fatty acid catabolism during bone formation by specifically disrupting the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (Cpt2), an obligate enzyme in fatty acid oxidation, in osteoblasts and osteocytes. Radiotracer studies demonstrated that the skeleton accumulates a significant fraction of postprandial fatty acids, which was equal to or in excess of that acquired by skeletal muscle or adipose tissue. Female, but not male, Cpt2 mutant mice exhibited significant impairments in postnatal bone acquisition, potentially due to an inability of osteoblasts to modify fuel selection. Intriguingly, suppression of fatty acid utilization by osteoblasts and osteocytes also resulted in the development of dyslipidemia and diet-dependent modifications in body composition. Taken together, these studies demonstrate a requirement for fatty acid oxidation during bone accrual and suggest a role for the skeleton in lipid homeostasis.

Modulation of cAMP levels by high-fat diet and curcumin and regulatory effects on CD36/FAT scavenger receptor/fatty acids transporter gene expression

Curcumin, a polyphenol from turmeric (Curcuma longa), reduces inflammation, atherosclerosis, and obesity in several animal studies. In Ldlr^-/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), curcumin reduces plasma lipid levels, therefore contributing to a lower accumulation of lipids and to reduced expression of fatty acid transport proteins (CD36/FAT, FABP4/aP2) in peritoneal macrophages. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms by which curcumin (500, 1000, 1500 mg/kg diet, for 4 months) may influence plasma and tissue lipid levels in Ldlr^-/- mice fed an HFD. In liver, HFD significantly suppressed cAMP levels, and curcumin restored almost normal levels. Similar trends were observed in adipose tissues, but not in brain, skeletal muscle, spleen, and kidney. Treatment with curcumin increased phosphorylation of CREB in liver, what may play a role in regulatory effects of curcumin in lipid homeostasis. In cell lines, curcumin increased the level of cAMP, activated the transcription factor CREB and the human CD36 promoter via a sequence containing a consensus CREB response element. Regulatory effects of HFD and Cur on gene expression were observed in liver, less in skeletal muscle and not in brain. Since the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)/CREB pathway plays an important role in lipid homeostasis, energy expenditure, and thermogenesis by increasing lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation, an increase in cAMP levels induced by curcumin may contribute to its hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(1):42-53, 2017.

Post-translational modifications of CD36 (SR-B2): Implications for regulation of myocellular fatty acid uptake

The membrane-associated protein CD36, now officially designated as SR-B2, is present in various tissues and fulfills multiple cellular functions. In heart and muscle, CD36 is the main (long-chain) fatty acid transporter, regulating myocellular fatty acid uptake via its vesicle-mediated reversible trafficking (recycling) between intracellular membrane compartments and the cell surface. CD36 is subject to various types of post-translational modification. This review focusses on the role of these modifications in further regulation of myocellular fatty acid uptake. Glycosylation, ubiquitination and palmitoylation are involved in regulating CD36 stability, while phosphorylation at extracellular sites affect the rate of fatty acid uptake. In addition, CD36 modification by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine may regulate the translocation of CD36 from endosomes to the cell surface. Acetylation of CD36 has also been reported, but possible effects on CD36 expression and/or functioning have not yet been addressed. Taken together, CD36 is subject to a multitude of post-translational modifications of which their functional implications are beginning to be understood. Moreover, further investigations are needed to disclose whether these post-translational modifications play a role in altered fatty acid uptake rates seen in several pathologies of heart and muscle. This article is part of a special issue entitled: The role of post-translational protein modifications on heart and vascular metabolism edited by Jason R.B. Dyck and Jan F.C. Glatz.

Fatty acid composition in fetal, neonatal, and cultured cardiomyocytes in rats

Reconstructed myocardial tissue still does not have enough pulsatile contraction. It is well known that fetal and mature neonatal cardiomyocytes utilize glucose and lipid, respectively, as their energy substrates, and that cultured ones mainly use glucose in spite of their age comparable to neonate ones, probably due to insufficient supply of lipids from culture medium. In the present study, we compared 7 saturated, 6 monounsaturated, and 11 polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in cultured cardiomyocytes (Cul group) with those in fetal (Fet group, approximately 17 d after impregnation) and neonatal (Neo group, 9 d old) rats, where the age of the Cul cells were set nearly equal to the Neo ones. Saturated fatty acid contents in the Cul group were generally lower than those in the Fet group and were close to those in the Neo group, except for C12:0 of which content was highest in the Neo group. Monounsaturated fatty acid contents in the Cul group were generally lower than those in the Fet group but similar to or higher than those in the Neo group, except for C24:1n-9 of which content was again highest in the Neo group. In contrast, most of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents in the Cul group appeared lower than those in both the Fet and Neo groups, and differences in 5 of 10 detected PUFAs were significant between the Cul and Neo groups. The results suggest that PUFA contents in cultured cardiomyocytes might be insufficient to exert enough contractile ability. In conclusion, it could be necessary for cultured cardiomyocytes to uptake more lipid; PUFAs in particular.

Molecular mechanisms of hypolipidemic effects of curcumin

Recent evidence suggests potential benefits from phytochemicals and micronutrients in reducing the elevated oxidative and lipid-mediated stress associated with inflammation, obesity, and atherosclerosis. These compounds may either directly scavenge reactive oxygen or nitrogen species or they may modulate the activity of signal transduction enzymes leading to changes in the expression of antioxidant genes. Alternatively, they may reduce plasma lipid levels by modulating lipid metabolic genes in tissues and thus reduce indirectly lipid-mediated oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress through their hypolipidemic effect. Here we review the proposed molecular mechanisms by which curcumin, a polyphenol present in the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa) spice, influences oxidative and lipid-mediated stress in the vascular system. At the molecular level, mounting experimental evidence suggests that curcumin may act chemically as scavenger of free radicals and/or influences signal transduction (e.g., Akt, AMPK) and modulates the activity of specific transcription factors (e.g., FOXO1/3a, NRF2, SREBP1/2, CREB, CREBH, PPARγ, and LXRα) that regulate the expression of genes involved in free radicals scavenging (e.g., catalase, MnSOD, and heme oxygenase-1) and lipid homeostasis (e.g., aP2/FABP4, CD36, HMG-CoA reductase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-1)). At the cellular level, curcumin may induce a mild oxidative and lipid-metabolic stress leading to an adaptive cellular stress response by hormetic stimulation of these cellular antioxidant defense systems and lipid metabolic enzymes. The resulting lower oxidative and lipid-mediated stress may not only explain the beneficial effects of curcumin on inflammation, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disease, but may also contribute to the increase in maximum life-span observed in animal models.

Dietary fat source alters hepatic gene expression profile and determines the type of liver pathology in rats overfed via total enteral nutrition

To determine if dietary fat composition affects the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we overfed male Sprague-Dawley rats low (5%) or high (70%) fat diets with different fat sources: olive oil (OO), corn oil (CO), or echium oil (EO), with total enteral nutrition (TEN) for 21 days. Overfeeding of the 5% CO or 5% EO diets resulted in less steatosis than 5% OO (P < 0.05). Affymetrix array analysis revealed significant differences in hepatic gene expression signatures associated with greater fatty acid synthesis, ChREBP, and SREBP-1c signaling and increased fatty acid transport (P < 0.05) in the 5% OO compared with 5% CO group. The OO groups had macrosteatosis, but no evidence of oxidative stress or necrosis. The 70% CO and 70% EO groups had a mixture of micro- and macrosteatosis or only microsteatosis, respectively; increased oxidative stress; and increased necrotic injury relative to their respective 5% groups (P < 0.05). Oxidative stress and necrosis correlated with increasing peroxidizability of the accumulated triglycerides. Affymetrix array analysis comparing the 70% OO and 70% CO groups revealed increased antioxidant pathways and lower expression of genes linked to inflammation and fibrosis in the 70% OO group. A second study in which 70% OO diet was overfed for 50 days produced no evidence of progression of injury beyond simple steatosis. These data suggest that dietary fat type strongly influences the progression of NAFLD and that a Mediterranean diet high in olive oil may reduce the risk of NAFLD progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Protein kinase D increases maximal Ca2+-activated tension of cardiomyocyte contraction by phosphorylation of cMyBP-C-Ser315

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) is involved in the regulation of cardiac myofilament contraction. Recent evidence showed that protein kinase D (PKD) is one of the kinases that phosphorylate cMyBP-C. However, the mechanism by which PKD-induced cMyBP-C phosphorylation affects cardiac contractile responses is not known. Using immunoprecipitation, we showed that, in contracting cardiomyocytes, PKD binds to cMyBP-C and phosphorylates it at Ser(315). The effect of PKD-mediated phosphorylation of cMyBP-C on cardiac myofilament function was investigated in permeabilized ventricular myocytes, isolated from wild-type (WT) and from cMyBP-C knockout (KO) mice, incubated in the presence of full-length active PKD. In WT myocytes, PKD increased both myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity (pCa(50)) and maximal Ca(2+)-activated tension of contraction (T(max)). In cMyBP-C KO skinned myocytes, PKD increased pCa(50) but did not alter T(max). This suggests that cMyBP-C is not involved in PKD-mediated sensitization of myofilaments to Ca(2+) but is essential for PKD-induced increase in T(max). Furthermore, the phosphorylation of both PKD-Ser(916) and cMyBP-C-Ser(315) was contraction frequency-dependent, suggesting that PKD-mediated cMyBP-C phosphorylation is operational primarily during periods of increased contractile activity. Thus, during high contraction frequency, PKD facilitates contraction of cardiomyocytes by increasing Ca(2+) sensitivity and by an increased T(max) through phosphorylation of cMyBP-C.

Parallel effects of β-adrenoceptor blockade on cardiac function and fatty acid oxidation in the diabetic heart: Confronting the maze

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a disease process in which diabetes produces a direct and continuous myocardial insult even in the absence of ischemic, hypertensive or valvular disease. The β-blocking agents bisoprolol, carvedilol and metoprolol have been shown in large-scale randomized controlled trials to reduce heart failure mortality. In this review, we summarize the results of our studies investigating the effects of β-blocking agents on cardiac function and metabolism in diabetic heart failure, and the complex inter-related mechanisms involved. Metoprolol inhibits fatty acid oxidation at the mitochondrial level but does not prevent lipotoxicity; its beneficial effects are more likely to be due to pro-survival effects of chronic treatment. These studies have expanded our understanding of the range of effects produced by β-adrenergic blockade and show how interconnected the signaling pathways of function and metabolism are in the heart. Although our initial hypothesis that inhibition of fatty acid oxidation would be a key mechanism of action was disproved, unexpected results led us to some intriguing regulatory mechanisms of cardiac metabolism. The first was upstream stimulatory factor-2-mediated repression of transcriptional master regulator PGC-1α, most likely occurring as a consequence of the improved function; it is unclear whether this effect is unique to β-blockers, although repression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT)-1 has not been reported with other drugs which improve function. The second was the identification of a range of covalent modifications which can regulate CPT-1 directly, mediated by a signalome at the level of the mitochondria. We also identified an important interaction between β-adrenergic signaling and caveolins, which may be a key mechanism of action of β-adrenergic blockade. Our experience with this labyrinthine signaling web illustrates that initial hypotheses and anticipated directions do not have to be right in order to open up meaningful directions or reveal new information.

Protein-mediated Fatty Acid Uptake in the Heart

Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) provide 70-80% of the energy for cardiac contractile activity. LCFAs are also essential for many other cellular functions, such as transcriptional regulation of proteins involved in lipid metabolism, modulation of intracellular signalling pathways, and as substrates for membrane constituents. When LCFA uptake exceeds the capacity for their cardiac utilization, the intracellular lipids accumulate and are thought to contribute to contractile dysfunction, arrhythmias, cardiac myocyte apoptosis and congestive heart failure. Moreover, increased cardiac myocyte triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and ceramide depots are cardinal features associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. In recent years considerable evidence has accumulated to suggest that, the rate of entry of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) into the cardiac myocyte is a key factor contributing to a) regulating cardiac LCFA metabolism and b) lipotoxicity in the obese and diabetic heart. In the present review we i) examine the evidence indicating that LCFA transport into the heart involves a protein-mediated mechanism, ii) discuss the proteins involved in this process, including FAT/CD36, FABPpm and FATP1, iii) discuss the mechanisms involved in regulating LCFA transport by some of these proteins (including signaling pathways), as well as iv) the possible interactions of these proteins in regulating LCFA transport into the heart. In addition, v) we discuss how LCFA transport and transporters are altered in the obese/diabetic heart.

Membrane Fatty Acid Transporters as Regulators of Lipid Metabolism: Implications for Metabolic Disease

Long-chain fatty acids and lipids serve a wide variety of functions in mammalian homeostasis, particularly in the formation and dynamic properties of biological membranes and as fuels for energy production in tissues such as heart and skeletal muscle. On the other hand, long-chain fatty acid metabolites may exert toxic effects on cellular functions and cause cell injury. Therefore, fatty acid uptake into the cell and intracellular handling need to be carefully controlled. In the last few years, our knowledge of the regulation of cellular fatty acid uptake has dramatically increased. Notably, fatty acid uptake was found to occur by a mechanism that resembles that of cellular glucose uptake. Thus, following an acute stimulus, particularly insulin or muscle contraction, specific fatty acid transporters translocate from intracellular stores to the plasma membrane to facilitate fatty acid uptake, just as these same stimuli recruit glucose transporters to increase glucose uptake. This regulatory mechanism is important to clear lipids from the circulation postprandially and to rapidly facilitate substrate provision when the metabolic demands of heart and muscle are increased by contractile activity. Studies in both humans and animal models have implicated fatty acid transporters in the pathogenesis of diseases such as the progression of obesity to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. As a result, membrane fatty acid transporters are now being regarded as a promising therapeutic target to redirect lipid fluxes in the body in an organ-specific fashion.

Contribution of FAT/CD36 to the regulation of skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation: an overview

Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are an important substrate for ATP production within the skeletal muscle. The process of LCFA delivery from adipose tissue to muscle mitochondria involves many regulatory steps. Recently, it has been recognized that LCFA oxidation is not only dependent on LCFA delivery to the muscle, but also on regulatory steps within the muscle. Increasing selected fatty acid binding proteins/transporters on the plasma membrane facilitates a very rapid LCFA increase into the muscle, independent of any changes in LCFA delivery to the muscle. Such a mechanism of LCFA transporter translocation is activated by muscle contraction. Intramuscular triacylglycerols may also be hydrolysed to provide fatty acids for mitochondrial oxidation, particularly during exercise, when hormone-sensitive lipase and other enzymes are activated. Mitochondrial LCFA entry is also highly regulated. This however does not involve only the malonyl CoA carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPTI) axis. Exercise-induced fatty acid entry into mitochondria is also regulated by at least one of the proteins (FAT/CD36) that also regulates plasma membrane fatty acid transport. Among individuals, differences in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation appear to be correlated with the content of mitochondrial CPTI and FAT/CD36. This paper provides a brief overview of mechanisms that regulate LCFA uptake and oxidation in skeletal muscle during exercise and in obesity. We focus largely on our own work on FAT/CD36, which contributes to regulating, in a coordinated fashion, LCFA uptake across the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial membrane. Very little is known about the roles of FATP1-6 on fatty acid transport in skeletal muscle.

Substrate uptake and metabolism are preserved in hypertrophic caveolin-3 knockout hearts

Caveolin-3 (Cav3), the primary protein component of caveolae in muscle cells, regulates numerous signaling pathways including insulin receptor signaling and facilitates free fatty acid (FA) uptake by interacting with several FA transport proteins. We previously reported that Cav3 knockout mice (Cav3KO) develop cardiac hypertrophy with diminished contractile function; however, the effects of Cav3 gene ablation on cardiac substrate utilization are unknown. The present study revealed that the uptake and oxidation of FAs and glucose were normal in hypertrophic Cav3KO hearts. Real-time PCR analysis revealed normal expression of lipid metabolism genes including FA translocase (CD36) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 in Cav3KO hearts. Interestingly, myocardial cAMP content was significantly increased by 42%; however, this had no effect on PKA activity in Cav3KO hearts. Microarray expression analysis revealed a marked increase in the expression of genes involved in receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane, including Rab4a and the expression of WD repeat/FYVE domain containing proteins. We observed a fourfold increase in the expression of cellular retinol binding protein-III and a 3.5-fold increase in 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 11, a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family involved in the biosynthesis and inactivation of steroid hormones. In summary, a loss of Cav3 in the heart leads to cardiac hypertrophy with normal substrate utilization. Moreover, a loss of Cav3 mRNA altered the expression of several genes not previously linked to cardiac growth and function. Thus we have identified a number of new target genes associated with the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy.

A new model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in the rat utilizing total enteral nutrition to overfeed a high-polyunsaturated fat diet

We have used total enteral nutrition (TEN) to moderately overfeed rats high-polyunsaturated fat diets to develop a model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed by TEN a 187 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1) diet containing 5% (total calories) corn oil or a 220 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1) diet in which corn oil constituted 5, 10, 25, 35, 40, or 70% of total calories for 21 or 65 days. Rats fed the 5% corn oil, 220 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1)diet had greater body weight gain (P < or = 0.05), fat mass (P < or = 0.05), and serum leptin and glucose levels (P < or = 0.05), but no liver pathology. A dose-dependent increase in hepatic triglyceride deposition occurred with increase in percent corn oil in the 220 kcal.kg(-3/4).day(-1) groups (P < or = 0.05). Steatosis, macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, and focal necrosis were present in the 70% corn oil group, accompanied by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (P < or = 0.05). An increase in oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) and TNF-alpha expression (P < or = 0.05) was observed in the 70% corn oil group, as well as an increase in hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP4A1 expression (P < or = 0.05). Significant positive correlations were observed between the level of dietary corn oil and the degree of pathology, ALTs, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Liver pathology was progressive with increased necrosis, accompanied by fibrosis, observed after 65 days of TEN. Increased expression of CD36 and l-fabp mRNA suggested development of steatosis was associated with increased fatty acid transport. These data suggest that intragastric infusion of a high-polyunsaturated fat diet at a caloric level of 17% excess total calories results in pathology similar to clinical NASH.

Evidence for concerted action of FAT/CD36 and FABPpm to increase fatty acid transport across the plasma membrane

There is substantial molecular, biochemical and physiologic evidence that long-chain fatty acid transport involves a protein-mediated process. A number of fatty acid transport proteins have been identified, and for unknown reasons, some of these are coexpressed in the same tissues. In muscle and heart FAT/CD36 and FABPpm appear to be key transporters. Both proteins are regulated acutely (within minutes) and chronically (hours to days) by selected physiologic stimuli (insulin, AMP kinase activation). Acute regulation involves the translocation of FAT/CD36 by insulin, muscle contraction and AMP kinase activation, while FABPpm is induced to translocate by muscle contraction and AMP kinase activation, but not by insulin. Protein expression ofFAT/CD36 and FABPpm is regulated by prolonged AMP kinase activation (heart) or increased muscle contraction. Prolonged insulin exposure increases the expression of FAT/CD36 but not FABPpm. Trafficking of fatty acid transporters between an intracellular compartment(s) and the plasma membrane is altered in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle, as some FAT/CD36 is permanently relocated to plasma membrane, thereby contributing to insulin resistance due to the increased influx of fatty acids into muscle cells. Studies in FAT/CD36 null mice have revealed that this transporter is key to regulating the increase in the rate of fatty acid metabolism in heart and skeletal muscle. It appears based on a number of experiments that FAT/CD36 and FABPpm may collaborate to increase the rates of fatty acid transport, as these proteins co-immunoprecipitate.

Cardiac substrate uptake and metabolism in obesity and type-2 diabetes: role of sarcolemmal substrate transporters

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Alterations in substrate metabolism are believed to be involved in the development of both cardiac dysfunction and insulin resistance in these conditions. Under physiological circumstances the heart utilizes predominantly long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) (60-70%), with the remainder covered by carbohydrates, i.e., glucose (20%) and lactate (10%). The cellular uptake of both LCFA and glucose is regulated by the sarcolemmal amount of specific transport proteins, i.e., fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36 and GLUT4, respectively. These transport proteins are not only present at the sarcolemma, but also in intracellular storage compartments. Both an increased workload and the hormone insulin induce translocation of FAT/CD36 and GLUT4 to the sarcolemma. In this review, recent findings on the insulin and contraction signalling pathways involved in substrate uptake and utilization by cardiac myocytes under physiological conditions are discussed. New insights in alterations in substrate uptake and utilization during insulin resistance and its progression towards T2DM suggest a pivotal role for substrate transporters. During the development of obesity towards T2DM alterations in cardiac lipid homeostasis were found to precede alterations in glucose homeostasis. In the early stages of T2DM, relocation of FAT/CD36 to the sarcolemma is associated with the myocardial accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) eventually leading to an impaired insulin-stimulated GLUT4-translocation. These novel insights may result in new strategies for the prevention of development of cardiac dysfunction and insulin resistance in obesity and T2DM.

Signalling components involved in contraction-inducible substrate uptake into cardiac myocytes

Glucose and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) are two major substrates used by heart and skeletal muscle to support contractile activity. In quiescent cardiac myocytes a substantial portion of the glucose transporter GLUT4 and the putative LCFA transporter fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36 are stored in intracellular compartments. Induction of cellular contraction by electrical stimulation results in enhanced uptake of both glucose and LCFA through translocation of GLUT4 and FAT/CD36 respectively to the sarcolemma. The involvement of protein kinase A, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases was evaluated in cardiac myocytes as candidate signalling enzymes involved in recruiting these transporters in response to contraction. The collected evidence excluded the involvement of PKA and implicated an important role for AMPK and for one (or more) PKC isoform(s) in contraction-induced translocation of both GLUT4 and FAT/CD36. The unravelling of further components along this contraction pathway can provide valuable information on the coordinated regulation of the uptake of glucose and of LCFA by an increase in mechanical activity of heart and skeletal muscle.

AMPK-mediated increase in myocardial long-chain fatty acid uptake critically depends on sarcolemmal CD36

CD36, also named fatty acid translocase, has been identified as a putative membrane transporter for long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). In the heart, contraction-induced 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling regulates cellular LCFA uptake through translocation of CD36 and possibly of other LCFA transporters from intracellular storage compartments to the sarcolemma. In this study, isolated cardiomyocytes from CD36(+/+)- and CD36(-/-) mice were used to investigate to what extent basal and AMPK-mediated LCFA uptake are CD36-dependent. Basal LCFA uptake was not altered in CD36(-/-) cardiomyocytes, most likely resulting from a (1.8-fold) compensatory upregulation of fatty acid-transport protein-1. The stimulatory effect of contraction-mimetic stimuli, oligomycin (2.5-fold) and dipyridamole (1.6-fold), on LCFA uptake into CD36(+/+) cardiomyocytes was almost completely lost in CD36(-/-) cardiomyocytes, despite that AMPK signaling was fully intact. CD36 is almost entirely responsible for AMPK-mediated stimulation of LCFA uptake in cardiomyocytes, indicating a pivotal role for CD36 in mediating changes in cardiac LCFA fluxes.

Long-chain fatty acid uptake and FAT/CD36 translocation in heart and skeletal muscle

Cellular long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake constitutes a process that is not yet fully understood. LCFA uptake likely involves both passive diffusion and protein-mediated transport. Several lines of evidence support the involvement of a number of plasma membrane-associated proteins, including fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36, plasma membrane-bound fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm), and fatty acid transport protein (FATP). In heart and skeletal muscle primary attention has been given to unravel the mechanisms by which FAT/CD36 expression and function are regulated. It appears that both insulin and contractions induce the translocation of intracellular stored FAT/CD36 to the plasma membrane to increase cellular LCFA uptake. This review focuses on this novel mechanism of regulation of LCFA uptake in heart and skeletal muscle in health and disease. The distinct signaling pathways underlying insulin-induced and contraction-induced FAT/CD36 translocation will be discussed and a comparison will be made with the well-defined glucose transport system involving the glucose transporter GLUT4. Finally, it is hypothesized that malfunctioning of recycling of these transporters may lead to intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation and cellular insulin resistance. Current data indicate a pivotal role for FAT/CD36 in the regulation of LCFA utilization in heart and skeletal muscle under normal conditions as well as during the altered LCFA utilization observed in obesity and insulin resistance. Hence, FAT/CD36 might provide a useful therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of insulin resistance.

Conjugated linoleic acid isomers and trans fatty acids inhibit fatty acid transport in hepatoma 7288CTC and inguinal fat pads in Buffalo rats

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and some trans fatty acids (FA) decrease tumor growth and alter tumor and host lipid uptake and storage. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that the acute inhibitory effects of CLA isomers and trans FAs on FA transport in tumors and white adipose tissue are mediated via an inhibitory G-protein coupled (GPC), FFA receptor (FFAR). Experiments were performed in hepatoma 7288CTC and inguinal fat pads in Buffalo rats during perfusion in situ. CLA isomers and trans FAs (0.03-0.4 mmol/L, in plasma) were added to the arterial blood, and FA uptake or release was measured by arterial minus venous difference. In hepatoma 7288CTC, the CLA isomers, t10,c12-CLA > (+/-)-9-HODE [13-(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid] > t9,t11-CLA, and the trans FAs, linolelaidic = vaccenic > elaidic, decreased cAMP content and inhibited FA uptake, 13(S)-HODE release, extracellular signal-regulated kinase p44/p42 phosphorylation, and [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. Other CLA isomers, c9,t11-CLA, 13-(S)-HODE, c9,c11-CLA, and c11,t13-CLA, had no effect. In inguinal fat pads, FA transport was inhibited by t10,c12-CLA = linolelaidic acid > trans vaccenic acid, whereas c9,t11-CLA had no effect. In both hepatoma 7288CTC and inguinal fat pad, addition of either pertussis toxin or 8-Br-cAMP to the arterial blood reversed the inhibitions of FA transport. These results support the idea that an inhibitory GPC FFAR reduces cAMP and controls FA transport by CLA isomers and trans FAs. Ligand activity is conferred by the presence of a trans double bond proximal to the carboxyl group.

Enhanced sarcolemmal FAT/CD36 content and triacylglycerol storage in cardiac myocytes from obese zucker rats

In obesity, the development of cardiomyopathy is associated with the accumulation of myocardial triacylglycerols (TAGs), possibly stemming from elevation of myocardial long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake. Because LCFA uptake is regulated by insulin and contractions, we examined in cardiac myocytes from lean and obese Zucker rats the effects of insulin and the contraction-mimetic agent oligomycin on the initial rate of LCFA uptake, subcellular distribution of FAT/CD36, and LCFA metabolism. In cardiac myocytes from obese Zucker rats, under basal conditions, FAT/CD36 was relocated to the sarcolemma at the expense of intracellular stores. In addition, the LCFA uptake rate, LCFA esterification rate into TAGs, and the intracellular unesterified LCFA concentration each were significantly increased. All these metabolic processes were normalized by the FAT/CD36 inhibitor sulfo-N-succinimidyloleate, indicating its antidiabetic potential. In cardiac myocytes isolated from lean rats, in vitro administration of insulin induced the translocation of FAT/CD36 to the sarcolemma and stimulated initial rates of LCFA uptake and TAG esterification. In contrast, in myocytes from obese rats, insulin failed to alter the subcellular localization of FAT/CD36 and the rates of LCFA uptake and TAG esterification. In cardiac myocytes from lean and obese animals, oligomycin stimulated the initial rates of LCFA uptake and oxidation, although oligomycin only induced the translocation of FAT/CD36 to the sarcolemma in lean rats. The present results indicate that in cardiac myocytes from obese Zucker rats, a permanent relocation of FAT/CD36 to the sarcolemma is responsible for myocardial TAG accumulation. Furthermore, in vitro these cardiac myocytes, although sensitive to contraction-like stimulation, were completely insensitive to insulin, as the basal conditions in hyperinsulinemic, obese animals resemble the insulin-stimulated condition in lean littermates.

Dipyridamole alters cardiac substrate preference by inducing translocation of FAT/CD36, but not that of GLUT4

In cardiac myocytes, uptake rates of glucose and long-chain fatty acids (FA) are regulated by translocation of GLUT4 and FA translocase (FAT)/CD36, respectively, from intracellular stores to the sarcolemma. Insulin and contractions are two major physiological stimuli able to induce translocation of both transporters and therefore enhance the uptake of both substrates. Interestingly, the cardiovascular drug dipyridamole was able to enhance FA uptake but had no effect on glucose uptake. The selective stimulatory effect of dipyridamole on FA uptake was unrelated to its effects on phosphodiesterase inhibition and on nucleoside transport inhibition. However, dipyridamole-stimulated FA uptake was abolished in the presence of sulfo-N-succinimidylpalmitate, which indicated that FAT/CD36 is involved in the uptake process. Furthermore, the effect was additive to that of insulin but not to that of the AMP-elevating agent oligomycin, indicating that dipyridamole stimulates FAT/CD36-mediated FA uptake by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Dipyridamole, however, neither influenced the intracellular AMP content nor induced activation of AMPK. Finally, dipyridamole was able to induce FAT/CD36 translocation from intracellular storage sites to the sarcolemma but had no effect on the subcellular distribution of GLUT4. It is concluded that beyond AMP-activated protein kinase the contraction-induced and AMPK-mediated signal branches off into separate mobilization of GLUT4 and of FAT/CD36, and that dipyridamole activates a yet unidentified target in the FAT/CD36 mobilizing branch.

T3 increases lactate transport and the expression of MCT4, but not MCT1, in rat skeletal muscle

Triiodothyronine (T3) regulates the expression of genes involved in muscle metabolism. Therefore, we examined the effects of a 7-day T3 treatment on the monocarboxylate transporters (MCT)1 and MCT4 in heart and in red (RG) and white gastrocnemius muscle (WG). We also examined rates of lactate transport into giant sarcolemmal vesicles and the plasmalemmal MCT1 and MCT4 in these vesicles. Ingestion of T3 markedly increased circulating serum T3 (P < 0.05) and reduced weight gain (P < 0.05). T3 upregulated MCT1 mRNA (RG +77, WG +49, heart +114%, P < 0.05) and MCT4 mRNA (RG +300, WG +40%). However, only MCT4 protein expression was increased (RG +43, WG +49%), not MCT1 protein expression. No changes in MCT1 protein were observed in any tissue. T3 treatment doubled the rate of lactate transport when vesicles were exposed to 1 mM lactate (P < 0.05). However, plasmalemmal MCT4 was only modestly increased (+13%, P < 0.05). We conclude that T3 1) regulates MCT4, but not MCT1, protein expression and 2) increases lactate transport rates. This latter effect is difficult to explain by the modest changes in plasmalemmal MCT4. We speculate that either the activity of sarcolemmal MCTs has been altered or else other MCTs in muscle may have been upregulated.

Contraction-induced fatty acid translocase/CD36 translocation in rat cardiac myocytes is mediated through AMP-activated protein kinase signaling

Contraction of rat cardiac myocytes induces translocation of fatty acid translocase (FAT)/CD36 and GLUT4 from intracellular stores to the sarcolemma, leading to enhanced rates of long-chain fatty acid (FA) and glucose uptake, respectively. Because intracellular AMP/ATP is elevated in contracting cardiac myocytes, we investigated whether activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMP kinase) is involved in contraction-inducible FAT/CD36 translocation. The cell-permeable adenosine analog 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) and the mitochondrial inhibitor oligomycin, similar to 4-Hz electrostimulation, evoked a more than threefold activation of cardiomyocytic AMP kinase. Both AICAR and oligomycin stimulated FA uptake into noncontracting myocytes by 1.4- and 2.0-fold, respectively, but were ineffective in 4 Hz-contracting myocytes. These findings indicate that both agents stimulate FA uptake by a similar mechanism as electrostimulation, involving activation of AMP kinase, as evidenced from phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Furthermore, the stimulating effects of both AICAR and oligomycin were antagonized by blocking FAT/CD36 with sulfo-N-succinimidylpalmitate, but not by inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with wortmannin, indicating the involvement of FAT/CD36, but excluding a role for insulin signaling. Subcellular fractionation showed that oligomycin was able to mobilize intracellularly stored FAT/CD36 to the sarcolemma. We conclude that AMP kinase regulates cardiac FA use through mobilization of FAT/CD36 from a contraction-inducible intracellular storage compartment.