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Lin CE, Chen CY. Impacts of Central Administration of the Novel Peptide, LEAP-2, in Different Food Intake Models in Conscious Rats. Nutrients 2024; 16:1946. [PMID: 38931301 PMCID: PMC11206331 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) has mutual antagonism with ghrelin, which evokes food intake under a freely fed state. Nevertheless, the impact of LEAP-2 on ghrelin under time-restricted feeding (TRF), which has benefits in the context of metabolic disease, is still unknown. This study aims to explore the impact of central administration of LEAP-2 on the ingestion behavior of rats, which was evaluated using their cumulative food intake in the TRF state. Before intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of O-n-octanoylated ghrelin (0.1 nmol/rat), as a food-stimulatory model, the rats received various doses of LEAP-2 (0.3, 1, 3 nmol/rat, ICV). Cumulative food intake was recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after ICV injection under 12 h freely fed and TRF states in a light phase. In 12 h freely fed and TRF states, central administration of ghrelin alone induced feeding behavior. Pre-treatment with LEAP-2 (1 and 3 nmol/rat, ICV) suppressed ghrelin-induced food intake in a dose-dependent manner in a 12 h freely fed state instead of a TRF state, which may have disturbed the balance of ghrelin and LEAP-2. This study provides neuroendocrine-based evidence that may explain why TRF sometimes fails in fighting obesity/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-En Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Tajen University, No. 20, Weixin Rd., Yanpu Township, Pingtung County 907101, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Yen Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112201, Taiwan
- Institute of Emergency and Critical Medicine, and School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Chinese Taipei Society for the Study of Obesity, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
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Shankar K, Metzger NP, Lawrence C, Gupta D, Osborne-Lawrence S, Varshney S, Singh O, Richard CP, Zaykov AN, Rolfts R, DuBois BN, Perez-Tilve D, Mani BK, Hammer STG, Zigman JM. A long-acting LEAP2 analog reduces hepatic steatosis and inflammation and causes marked weight loss in mice. Mol Metab 2024; 84:101950. [PMID: 38697291 PMCID: PMC11103953 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The number of individuals affected by metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease [1] is on the rise, yet hormonal contributors to the condition remain incompletely described and only a single FDA-approved treatment is available. Some studies suggest that the hormones ghrelin and LEAP2, which act as agonist and antagonist/inverse agonist, respectively, for the G protein coupled receptor GHSR, may influence the development of MAFLD. For instance, ghrelin increases hepatic fat whereas synthetic GHSR antagonists do the opposite. Also, hepatic steatosis is less prominent in standard chow-fed ghrelin-KO mice but more prominent in 42% high-fat diet-fed female LEAP2-KO mice. METHODS Here, we sought to determine the therapeutic potential of a long-acting LEAP2 analog (LA-LEAP2) to treat MAFLD in mice. LEAP2-KO and wild-type littermate mice were fed a Gubra-Amylin-NASH (GAN) diet for 10 or 40 wks, with some randomized to an additional 28 or 10 days of GAN diet, respectively, while treated with LA-LEAP2 vs Vehicle. Various metabolic parameters were followed and biochemical and histological assessments of MAFLD were made. RESULTS Among the most notable metabolic effects, daily LA-LEAP2 administration to both LEAP2-KO and wild-type littermates during the final 4 wks of a 14 wk-long GAN diet challenge markedly reduced liver weight, hepatic triglycerides, plasma ALT, hepatic microvesicular steatosis, hepatic lobular inflammation, NASH activity scores, and prevalence of higher-grade fibrosis. These changes were accompanied by prominent reductions in body weight, without effects on food intake, and reduced plasma total cholesterol. Daily LA-LEAP2 administration during the final 10 d of a 41.5 wk-long GAN diet challenge also reduced body weight, plasma ALT, and plasma total cholesterol in LEAP2-KO and wild-type littermates and prevalence of higher grade fibrosis in LEAP2-KO mice. CONCLUSIONS Administration of LA-LEAP2 to mice fed a MAFLD-prone diet markedly improves several facets of MAFLD, including hepatic steatosis, hepatic lobular inflammation, higher-grade hepatic fibrosis, and transaminitis. These changes are accompanied by prominent reductions in body weight and lowered plasma total cholesterol. Taken together, these data suggest that LEAP2 analogs such as LA-LEAP2 hold promise for the treatment of MAFLD and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kripa Shankar
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Nathan P Metzger
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Connor Lawrence
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Deepali Gupta
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Sherri Osborne-Lawrence
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Salil Varshney
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Omprakash Singh
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | - Corine P Richard
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Rolfts
- Novo Nordisk Lexington, 33 Hayden Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Barent N DuBois
- Novo Nordisk Lexington, 33 Hayden Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Diego Perez-Tilve
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bharath K Mani
- Novo Nordisk Lexington, 33 Hayden Ave, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | - Suntrea T G Hammer
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9077, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA; Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Liu Z, Ren Q, Mu H, Zeng Y, An Z, He H. Preliminary study on the diagnostic value of LEAP-2 and CK18 in biopsy-proven MAFLD. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:182. [PMID: 38778244 PMCID: PMC11112914 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03258-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease. Liver biopsy, as the diagnostic gold standard, is invasive and has sampling bias, making it particularly important to search for sensitive and specific biomarkers for diagnosis. Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) M30 and M65 are products of liver cell apoptosis and necrosis, respectively, and liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) is a related indicator of glucose and lipid metabolism. Correlation studies have found that all three indicators positively correlate with the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Through comparison of diagnostic values, it was found that CK18 M65 can better distinguish between healthy individuals and MAFLD; LEAP-2 can effectively distinguish MAFLD from other liver diseases, especially ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Qiao Ren
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Hongying Mu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yuping Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Zhenmei An
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - He He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
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Andreoli MF, Fittipaldi AS, Castrogiovanni D, De Francesco PN, Valdivia S, Heredia F, Ribet-Travers C, Mendez I, Fasano MV, Schioth HB, Doi SA, Habib AM, Perello M. Pre-prandial plasma liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) concentration in humans is inversely associated with hunger sensation in a ghrelin independent manner. Eur J Nutr 2024; 63:751-762. [PMID: 38157050 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a newly recognized peptide hormone that acts via the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) blunting the effects of ghrelin and displaying ghrelin-independent actions. Since the implications of LEAP2 are beginning to be elucidated, we investigated if plasma LEAP2 concentration varies with feeding status or sex and whether it is associated with glucose metabolism and appetite sensations. METHODS We performed a single test meal study, in which plasma concentrations of LEAP2, ghrelin, insulin and glucose as well as visual analogue scales for hunger, desire to eat, prospective food consumption, fullness were assessed before and 60 min after breakfast in 44 participants (n = 21 females) with normal weight (NW) or overweight/obesity (OW/OB). RESULTS Pre-prandial plasma LEAP2 concentration was ~ 1.6-fold higher whereas ghrelin was ~ 2.0-fold lower in individuals with OW/OB (p < 0.001) independently of sex. After adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and sex, pre-prandial plasma LEAP2 concentration displayed a direct relationship with BMI (β: 0.09; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.13; p < 0.001), fat mass (β: 0.05; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.09; p = 0.010) and glycemia (β: 0.24; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.43; p = 0.021), whereas plasma ghrelin concentration displayed an inverse relationship with BMI and fat mass but not with glycemia. Postprandial plasma LEAP2 concentration increased ~ 58% in females with OW/OB (p = 0.045) but not in females with NW or in males. Pre-prandial plasma LEAP2 concentration displayed an inverse relationship with hunger score (β: - 11.16; 95% CI: - 18.52, - 3.79; p = 0.004), in a BMI-, sex- and ghrelin-independent manner. CONCLUSIONS LEAP2 emerges as a key hormone implicated in the regulation of metabolism and appetite in humans. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (April 2023). CLINICALTRIALS gov Identifier: NCT05815641.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Andreoli
- Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP), HIAEP Sor María Ludovica de la Plata, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Calle 63 # 1069, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina.
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Antonela S Fittipaldi
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE). Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y CIC-PBA, Calle 526 S/N Entre 10 y 11, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Castrogiovanni
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE). Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y CIC-PBA, Calle 526 S/N Entre 10 y 11, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo N De Francesco
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE). Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y CIC-PBA, Calle 526 S/N Entre 10 y 11, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Spring Valdivia
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE). Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y CIC-PBA, Calle 526 S/N Entre 10 y 11, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Heredia
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE). Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y CIC-PBA, Calle 526 S/N Entre 10 y 11, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Ignacio Mendez
- Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP), HIAEP Sor María Ludovica de la Plata, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Calle 63 # 1069, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María V Fasano
- Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP), HIAEP Sor María Ludovica de la Plata, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Calle 63 # 1069, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Matemática la Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, UNLP/CIC-PBA, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Helgi B Schioth
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Suhail A Doi
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdella M Habib
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mario Perello
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE). Universidad Nacional la Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y CIC-PBA, Calle 526 S/N Entre 10 y 11, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Casado S, Varela-Miguéns M, de Oliveira Diz T, Quintela-Vilariño C, Nogueiras R, Diéguez C, Tovar S. The effects of ghrelin and LEAP-2 in energy homeostasis are modulated by thermoneutrality, high-fat diet and aging. J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-024-02307-4. [PMID: 38337094 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02307-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) has been recently identified as the endogenous non-competitive allosteric antagonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a). In rodents, LEAP-2 blunts ghrelin-induced feeding and its plasma levels are modulated in response to nutritional status, being decreased upon fasting and increased in high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice. Clinical data support the regulation of circulating LEAP-2 by nutrient availability in humans. In this work, our primary objective was to examine the chronic effects of ghrelin and LEAP-2 administration on food intake, adiposity, and energy expenditure in young mice subjected to standard and HFD at both room temperature and at thermoneutrality. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the impact of these two hormones on aging mice. RESULTS Our results indicate that LEAP-2 produces a significant decrease of body weight and adiposity, an increase in energy expenditure, and activation of the thermogenic program in white and brown adipose tissue depots. However, this effect is not maintained under HFD or under thermoneutral conditions and is only partially observed in aging mice. CONCLUSION In summary our studies describe the central effects of LEAP-2 within distinct experimental contexts, and contribute to the comprehension of LEAP-2's role in energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Casado
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M Varela-Miguéns
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - T de Oliveira Diz
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - C Quintela-Vilariño
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - R Nogueiras
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Diéguez
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Tovar
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Tuero C, Becerril S, Ezquerro S, Neira G, Frühbeck G, Rodríguez A. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective role of ghrelin against NAFLD progression. J Physiol Biochem 2023; 79:833-849. [PMID: 36417140 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-022-00933-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms for the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are complex and multifactorial. Within the last years, experimental and clinical evidences support the role of ghrelin in the development of NAFLD. Ghrelin is a gut hormone that plays a major role in the short-term regulation of appetite and long-term regulation of adiposity. The liver constitutes a target for ghrelin, where this gut-derived peptide triggers intracellular pathways regulating lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Interestingly, circulating ghrelin levels are altered in patients with metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which, in turn, are well-known risk factors for the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This review summarizes the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the hepatoprotective action of ghrelin, including the reduction of hepatocyte lipotoxicity via autophagy and fatty acid β-oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress and programmed cell death, the reversibility of the proinflammatory phenotype in Kupffer cells, and the inactivation of hepatic stellate cells. Together, the metabolic and inflammatory pathways regulated by ghrelin in the liver support its potential as a therapeutic target to prevent NAFLD in patients with metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Tuero
- Department of General Surgery, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara Becerril
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de La Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvia Ezquerro
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
| | - Gabriela Neira
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
| | - Gema Frühbeck
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de La Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Amaia Rodríguez
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Irunlarrea 1, Spain.
- CIBER Fisiopatología de La Obesidad Y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Obesity and Adipobiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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Takenoya F, Shibato J, Yamashita M, Kimura A, Hirako S, Chiba Y, Nonaka N, Shioda S, Rakwal R. Transcriptomic (DNA Microarray) and Metabolome (LC-TOF-MS) Analyses of the Liver in High-Fat Diet Mice after Intranasal Administration of GALP (Galanin-like Peptide). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15825. [PMID: 37958806 PMCID: PMC10648535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to test the efficacy and potential clinical application of intranasal administration of galanin-like peptide (GALP) as an anti-obesity treatment under the hypothesis that GALP prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Focusing on the mechanism of regulation of lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues via the autonomic nervous system, we confirmed that, compared with a control (saline), intranasally administered GALP prevented further body weight gain in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice with continued access to an HFD. Using an omics-based approach, we identified several genes and metabolites in the liver tissue of DIO mice that were altered by the administration of intranasal GALP. We used whole-genome DNA microarray and metabolomics analyses to determine the anti-obesity effects of intranasal GALP in DIO mice fed an HFD. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the upregulation of flavin-containing dimethylaniline monooxygenase 3 (Fmo3), metallothionein 1 and 2 (Mt1 and Mt2, respectively), and the Aldh1a3, Defa3, and Defa20 genes. Analysis using the DAVID tool showed that intranasal GALP enhanced gene expression related to fatty acid elongation and unsaturated fatty acid synthesis and downregulated gene expression related to lipid and cholesterol synthesis, fat absorption, bile uptake, and excretion. Metabolite analysis revealed increased levels of coenzyme Q10 and oleoylethanolamide in the liver tissue, increased levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA) in the bile acids, increased levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), and decreased levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In conclusion, intranasal GALP administration alleviated weight gain in obese mice fed an HFD via mechanisms involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and fatty acid metabolism effects and genetic alterations. The gene expression data are publicly available at NCBI GSE243376.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiko Takenoya
- Department of Sport Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan; (F.T.); (M.Y.); (A.K.)
| | - Junko Shibato
- Department of Functional Morphology, Shonan University of Medical Sciences, Kanagawa 244-0806, Japan; (J.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Michio Yamashita
- Department of Sport Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan; (F.T.); (M.Y.); (A.K.)
| | - Ai Kimura
- Department of Sport Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan; (F.T.); (M.Y.); (A.K.)
| | - Satoshi Hirako
- Department of Health and Nutrition, University of Human Arts and Sciences, Saitama 339-8539, Japan;
| | - Yoshihiko Chiba
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, Hoshi University, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan;
| | - Naoko Nonaka
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Showa University School of Dentistry, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan;
| | - Seiji Shioda
- Department of Functional Morphology, Shonan University of Medical Sciences, Kanagawa 244-0806, Japan; (J.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Randeep Rakwal
- Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8574, Japan
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Byberg S, Blond MB, Holm S, Amadid H, Nielsen LB, Clemmensen KKB, Færch K, Holst B. LEAP2 is associated with cardiometabolic markers but is unchanged by antidiabetic treatment in people with prediabetes. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 325:E244-E251. [PMID: 37436962 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00023.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
To examine whether fasting plasma liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (FP-LEAP2) is associated with markers of cardiometabolic disease susceptibility in a cohort with prediabetes and overweight/obesity and whether antidiabetic interventions affect FP-LEAP2 levels. The analysis included 115 individuals with prediabetes [hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 39-47 mmol/mol, 5.7%-6.4%] and overweight/obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2] from a randomized controlled trial. Changes in FP-LEAP2 levels were assessed in relation to treatment with dapagliflozin (10 mg once daily), metformin (1,700 mg daily), or interval-based exercise (5 days/wk, 30 min/session) compared with control (habitual lifestyle) after 6 and 13 wk of treatment. FP-LEAP2 levels were positively associated with [standardized beta coefficient (95% CI)]: BMI 0.22 (0.03:0.41), P = 0.027; body weight 0.27 (0.06:0.48), P = 0.013; fat mass 0.2 (0.00:0.4), P = 0.048; lean mass 0.47 (0.13:0.8), P = 0.008; HbA1c 0.35 (0.17:0.53), P < 0.001; fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 0.32 (0.12:0.51), P = 0.001; fasting serum insulin 0.28 (0.09:0.47), P = 0.005; total cholesterol 0.19 (0.01:0.38), P = 0.043; triglycerides 0.31 (0.13:0.5), P < 0.001; and transaminases and fatty liver index (standardized beta coefficients 0.23-0.32), all P < 0.020. FP-LEAP2 levels were inversely associated with insulin sensitivity [-0.22 (-0.41: -0.03), P = 0.022] and kidney function [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) -0.34 (-0.56: -0.12), P = 0.003]. FP-LEAP2 levels were not associated with fat distribution or body fat percentage, fasting glucagon, postload glucose, β-cell function, or low-density lipoprotein. The interventions were not associated with changes in FP-LEAP2. FP-LEAP2 is associated with body mass, impaired insulin sensitivity, liver-specific enzymes, and kidney function. The findings highlight the importance of studying LEAP2 in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. FP-LEAP2 was not affected by metformin, dapaglifloxin, or exercise in this population.NEW & NOTEWORTHY LEAP2, primarily secreted by the liver, increases with greater body mass, insulin resistance, and liver-specific enzymes in individuals with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. Fasting glucose, body mass, and alanine aminotransferase independently predict LEAP2 levels. LEAP2 is inversely linked to impaired kidney function. Elevated LEAP2 levels might indicate an increased metabolic risk, warranting further investigation into its potential involvement in glucose and body weight control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Byberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Bæk Blond
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Holm
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanan Amadid
- Department of Data Science, Novo Nordisk, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kristine Færch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Bhargava R, Luur S, Rodriguez Flores M, Emini M, Prechtl CG, Goldstone AP. Postprandial Increases in Liver-Gut Hormone LEAP2 Correlate with Attenuated Eating Behavior in Adults Without Obesity. J Endocr Soc 2023; 7:bvad061. [PMID: 37287649 PMCID: PMC10243873 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The novel liver-gut hormone liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2) is a centrally acting inverse agonist, and competitive antagonist of orexigenic acyl ghrelin (AG), at the GH secretagogue receptor, reducing food intake in rodents. In humans, the effects of LEAP2 on eating behavior and mechanisms behind the postprandial increase in LEAP2 are unclear, though this is reciprocal to the postprandial decrease in plasma AG. Methods Plasma LEAP2 was measured in a secondary analysis of a previous study. Twenty-two adults without obesity attended after an overnight fast, consuming a 730-kcal meal without or with subcutaneous AG administration. Postprandial changes in plasma LEAP2 were correlated with postprandial changes in appetite, high-energy (HE) or low-energy (LE) food cue reactivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging, ad libitum food intake, and plasma/serum AG, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides. Results Postprandial plasma LEAP2 increased by 24.5% to 52.2% at 70 to 150 minutes, but was unchanged by exogenous AG administration. Postprandial increases in LEAP2 correlated positively with postprandial decreases in appetite, and cue reactivity to HE/LE and HE food in anteroposterior cingulate cortex, paracingulate cortex, frontal pole, and middle frontal gyrus, with similar trend for food intake. Postprandial increases in LEAP2 correlated negatively with body mass index, but did not correlate positively with increases in glucose, insulin, or triglycerides, nor decreases in AG. Conclusions These correlational findings are consistent with a role for postprandial increases in plasma LEAP2 in suppressing human eating behavior in adults without obesity. Postprandial increases in plasma LEAP2 are unrelated to changes in plasma AG and the mediator(s) remain uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav Bhargava
- PsychoNeuroEndocrinology Research Group, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sandra Luur
- PsychoNeuroEndocrinology Research Group, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Marcela Rodriguez Flores
- PsychoNeuroEndocrinology Research Group, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mimoza Emini
- PsychoNeuroEndocrinology Research Group, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Christina G Prechtl
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Anthony P Goldstone
- PsychoNeuroEndocrinology Research Group, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
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10
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Tian J, Guo L, Wang T, Jia K, Swerdlow RH, Zigman JM, Du H. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 elevation contributes to age-associated cognitive decline. JCI Insight 2023; 8:166175. [PMID: 37212281 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.166175] [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: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Elderly individuals frequently report cognitive decline, while various studies indicate hippocampal functional declines with advancing age. Hippocampal function is influenced by ghrelin through hippocampus-expressed growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous GHSR antagonist that attenuates ghrelin signaling. Here, we measured plasma ghrelin and LEAP2 levels in a cohort of cognitively normal individuals older than 60 and found that LEAP2 increased with age while ghrelin (also referred to in literature as "acyl-ghrelin") marginally declined. In this cohort, plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratios were inversely associated with Mini-Mental State Examination scores. Studies in mice showed an age-dependent inverse relationship between plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio and hippocampal lesions. In aged mice, restoration of the LEAP2/ghrelin balance to youth-associated levels with lentiviral shRNA Leap2 downregulation improved cognitive performance and mitigated various age-related hippocampal deficiencies such as CA1 region synaptic loss, declines in neurogenesis, and neuroinflammation. Our data collectively suggest that LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio elevation may adversely affect hippocampal function and, consequently, cognitive performance; thus, it may serve as a biomarker of age-related cognitive decline. Moreover, targeting LEAP2 and ghrelin in a manner that lowers the plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio could benefit cognitive performance in elderly individuals for rejuvenation of memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
| | - Lan Guo
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Tienju Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
| | - Kun Jia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
| | - Russell H Swerdlow
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Heng Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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11
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Ghrelin system in Alzheimer's disease. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 78:102655. [PMID: 36527939 PMCID: PMC10395051 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in seniors. Current efforts to understand the etiopathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disorder have brought forth questions about systemic factors in the development of AD. Ghrelin is a brain-gut peptide that is activated by ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) and signals via its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). With increasing recognition of the neurotropic effects of ghrelin, the role of ghrelin system deregulation in the development of AD has been accentuated in recent years. In this review, we summarized recent research progress regarding the mechanisms of ghrelin signaling dysregulation and its contribution to AD brain pathology. In addition, we also discussed the therapeutic potential of strategies targeting ghrelin signaling for the treatment of this neurological disease.
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12
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Krznarić J, Vince A. The Role of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Infections. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12122052. [PMID: 36556417 PMCID: PMC9788238 DOI: 10.3390/life12122052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, affecting one third of the Western population. The hallmark of the disease is excessive storage of fat in the liver. Most commonly, it is caused by metabolic syndrome (or one of its components). Even though the development of NAFLD has multiple effects on the human organism resulting in systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, this review is focused on NAFLD as a risk factor for the onset, progression, and outcomes of infectious diseases. The correlation between NAFLD and infections is still unclear. Multiple factors (obesity, chronic inflammation, altered immune system function, insulin resistance, altered intestinal microbiota, etc.) have been proposed to play a role in the development and progression of infections in people with NAFLD, although the exact mechanism and the interplay of mentioned factors is still mostly hypothesized. In this article we review only the selection of well-researched topics on NAFLD and infectious diseases (bacterial pneumonia, COVID, H. pylori, urinary tract infections, C. difficile, bacteremia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and periodontitis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Krznarić
- Department for Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adriana Vince
- Department for Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
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13
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Wang Y, Shen W, Huang F, Yu C, Xi L, Gao J, Yin M, Liu X, Lin J, Liu L, Zhang H, Zhu J, Hong Y. HDL-C levels added to the MELD score improves 30-day mortality prediction in Asian patients with cirrhosis. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221109385. [PMID: 35836382 PMCID: PMC9290124 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221109385] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been observed in chronic liver disease patients. The aim of this study was to develop a model that incorporates HDL-C levels and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score to predict 30-day mortality in Asian cirrhosis patients. Methods Cirrhosis patients were recruited from two hospitals in this retrospective observational study. Propensity score matching was used. The model’s performance was evaluated, including its ability to predict 30-day mortality, accuracy, and clinical utility. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated. Results The HDL-C + MELD model showed good ability to predict 30-day mortality (area under the curve, 0.784; sensitivity, 0.797; specificity, 0.632), which was better than that of the MELD score alone. It also showed good calibration and a net benefit for all patients, which was better than that of the MELD score, except at the threshold probability. NRI and IDI results confirmed that adding HDL-C levels to the MELD score improved the model’s performance in predicting 30-day mortality. Conclusion We added HDL-C levels to the MELD score to predict 30-day mortality in Asian patients with cirrhosis. The HDLC + MELD model shows good ability to predict 30-day mortality and clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Suzhou, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chenyan Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Liting Xi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Minyue Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaxi Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huixian Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinzhou Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yu Hong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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14
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Holm S, Husted AS, Skov LJ, Morville TH, Hagemann CA, Jorsal T, Dall M, Jakobsen A, Klein AB, Treebak JT, Knop FK, Schwartz TW, Clemmensen C, Holst B. Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Suppresses Hepatic Production of the Ghrelin Receptor Antagonist LEAP2. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6555773. [PMID: 35352108 PMCID: PMC9119693 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous ghrelin receptor antagonist, which is upregulated in the fed state and downregulated during fasting. We hypothesized that the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is involved in the downregulation of LEAP2 during conditions with high circulating levels of BHB. METHODS Hepatic and intestinal Leap2 expression were determined in 3 groups of mice with increasing circulating levels of BHB: prolonged fasting, prolonged ketogenic diet, and oral BHB treatment. LEAP2 levels were measured in lean and obese individuals, in human individuals following endurance exercise, and in mice after BHB treatment. Lastly, we investigated Leap2 expression in isolated murine hepatocytes challenged with BHB. RESULTS We confirmed increased circulating LEAP2 levels in individuals with obesity compared to lean individuals. The recovery period after endurance exercise was associated with increased plasma levels of BHB levels and decreased LEAP2 levels in humans. Leap2 expression was selectively decreased in the liver after fasting and after exposure to a ketogenic diet for 3 weeks. Importantly, we found that oral administration of BHB increased circulating levels of BHB in mice and decreased Leap2 expression levels and circulating LEAP2 plasma levels, as did Leap2 expression after direct exposure to BHB in isolated murine hepatocytes. CONCLUSION From our data, we suggest that LEAP2 is downregulated during different states of energy deprivation in both humans and rodents. Furthermore, we here provide evidence that the ketone body, BHB, which is highly upregulated during fasting metabolism, directly downregulates LEAP2 levels. This may be relevant in ghrelin receptor-induced hunger signaling during energy deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Holm
- Correspondence: Stephanie Holm, MSc, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (6th floor) & Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anna S Husted
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise J Skov
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas H Morville
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoffer A Hagemann
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Gubra, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Tina Jorsal
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Morten Dall
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Jakobsen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders B Klein
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas T Treebak
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Filip K Knop
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Thue W Schwartz
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoffer Clemmensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Correspondence: Birgitte Holst MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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15
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Li J, Huang P, Xiong J, Liang X, Li M, Ke H, Chen C, Han Y, Huang Y, Zhou Y, Luo Z, Feng D, Chen C. Serum levels of ghrelin and LEAP2 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: correlation with circulating glucose and lipids. Endocr Connect 2022; 11:e220012. [PMID: 35521798 PMCID: PMC9175609 DOI: 10.1530/ec-22-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Objective Ghrelin regulates body weight, food intake, and blood glucose. It also regulates insulin secretion from pancreatic islet cells. LEAP2 is a newly discovered endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue's receptor (GHSR). It not only antagonizes the stimulation of GHSR by ghrelin but also inhibits the constitutive activation of GHSR as an inverse agonist. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients have endocrine disorders with metabolic imbalance. Plasma levels of ghrelin and LEAP2 may be changed in obese and T2D patients. However, there is no report yet on circulating LEAP2 levels or ghrelin/LEAP2 ratio in T2D patients. In this study, fasting serum ghrelin and LEAP2 levels in healthy adults and T2D patients were assessed to clarify the association of two hormones with different clinical anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Design A total of 16 females and 40 males, ages 23-68 years old normal (n = 27), and T2D patients (n = 29) were enrolled as a cross-sectional cohort. Results Serum levels of ghrelin were lower but serum levels of LEAP2 were higher in T2D patients. Ghrelin levels were positively correlated with fasting serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR in healthy adults. LEAP2 levels were positively correlated with age and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in all tested samples. Ghrelin/LEAP2 ratio was negatively correlated with age, fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c. Conclusions This study demonstrated a decrease in serum ghrelin levels and an increase in serum LEAP2 levels in T2D patients. LEAP2 levels were positively correlated with HbA1c, suggesting that LEAP2 was associated with T2D development. The ghrelin/LEAP2 ratio was closely associated with glycemic control in T2D patients showing a negative correlation with glucose and HbA1c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Li
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pu Huang
- Department of Health Management Center, Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Endocrinology, Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinyue Liang
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hao Ke
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunli Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanhong Huang
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ziqiang Luo
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dandan Feng
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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16
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Islam MN, Zhang W, Sakai K, Nakazato Y, Tanida R, Sakoda H, Takei T, Takao T, Nakazato M. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 functions independently of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in calorie-restricted mice. Peptides 2022; 151:170763. [PMID: 35151767 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a gastric-derived peptide that stimulates feeding, blood glucose elevation, body temperature reduction, and growth hormone (GH) secretion. Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is an endogenous antagonist of the ghrelin receptor, also called growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). We studied the effects of LEAP2 administration on feeding, body weight, glycemia, body temperature, and inflammation-related genes in the liver in C57BL/6 J mice and Ghsr-knockout (Ghsr-KO) mice. We found that a single administration of LEAP2 did not abolish fasting-induced food intake in 24-h fasted C57BL/6 J mice or Ghsr-KO mice. Moreover, continuous LEAP2 administration to mice fed ad libitum for 6 days did not affect feeding, body temperature, plasma ghrelin, or blood glucose. By contrast, continuous LEAP2 administration to calorie-restricted C57BL/6 J mice and Ghsr-KO mice induced body weight loss, hypoglycemia, body temperature reduction, and upregulation of Il-6 and Il-1β mRNAs in the liver. Our findings suggest that LEAP2 functions independently of GHSR, implying that LEAP2 affects physiology beyond the ghrelin-GHSR system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nurul Islam
- Department of Bioregulatory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Department of Bioregulatory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Katsuya Sakai
- Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakazato
- Division of Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Ryota Tanida
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Sakoda
- Department of Bioregulatory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Toshiki Takei
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Takao
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Nakazato
- Division of Interactive Organ Systems, Department of Projects Research, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan; AMED-CREST, Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan.
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Chu G, Peng H, Yu N, Zhang Y, Lin X, Lu Y. Involvement of POMC neurons in LEAP2 regulation of food intake and body weight. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:932761. [PMID: 36387867 PMCID: PMC9650057 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.932761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a newly discovered antagonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and is considered the first endogenous peptide that can antagonize the metabolic actions of ghrelin. The effects of ghrelin administration on feeding behavior, body weight, and energy metabolism involve the activation of orexigenic neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. It is unclear, however, if LEAP2 applied directly to the ARC of the hypothalamus affects these metabolic processes. Here, we show that overexpression of LEAP2 in the ARC through adeno-associated virus (AAV) reduced food intake and body weight in wild-type (WT) mice fed chow and a high-fat diet (HFD) and improved metabolic disorders. LEAP2 overexpression in the ARC overrides both central and peripheral ghrelin action on a chow diet. Interestingly, this AAV-LEAP2 treatment increased proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression while agouti-related peptide (AGRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) and GHSR levels remained unchanged in the hypothalamus. Additionally, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of LEAP2 decreased food intake, increased POMC neuronal activity, and repeated LEAP2 administration to mice induced body weight loss. Using chemogenetic manipulations, we found that inhibition of POMC neurons abolished the anorexigenic effect of LEAP2. These results demonstrate that central delivery of LEAP2 leads to appetite-suppressing and body weight reduction, which might require activation of POMC neurons in the ARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangpin Chu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hualing Peng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nana Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuejin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueling Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yisheng Lu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yisheng Lu,
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18
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Shankar K, Metzger NP, Singh O, Mani BK, Osborne-Lawrence S, Varshney S, Gupta D, Ogden SB, Takemi S, Richard CP, Nandy K, Liu C, Zigman JM. LEAP2 deletion in mice enhances ghrelin's actions as an orexigen and growth hormone secretagogue. Mol Metab 2021; 53:101327. [PMID: 34428557 PMCID: PMC8452786 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The hormone liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP2) is a recently identified antagonist and an inverse agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). GHSR's other well-known endogenous ligand, acyl-ghrelin, increases food intake, body weight, and GH secretion and is lowered in obesity but elevated upon fasting. In contrast, LEAP2 reduces acyl-ghrelin-induced food intake and GH secretion and is found elevated in obesity but lowered upon fasting. Thus, the plasma LEAP2/acyl-ghrelin molar ratio could be a key determinant modulating GHSR signaling in response to changes in body mass and feeding status. In particular, LEAP2 may serve to dampen acyl-ghrelin action in the setting of obesity, which is associated with ghrelin resistance. Here, we sought to determine the metabolic effects of genetic LEAP2 deletion. Methods We generated the first known LEAP2-KO mouse line. Food intake, GH secretion, and cellular activation (c-fos induction) in different brain regions following s.c. acyl-ghrelin administration in LEAP2-KO mice and wild-type littermates were determined. LEAP2-KO mice and wild-type littermates were submitted to a battery of tests (such as measurements of body weight, food intake, and body composition; indirect calorimetry, determination of locomotor activity, and meal patterning while housed in metabolic cages) over the course of 16 weeks of high-fat diet and/or standard chow feeding. Fat accumulation was assessed in hematoxylin & eosin-stained and oil red O-stained liver sections from these mice. Results LEAP2-KO mice were more sensitive to s.c. ghrelin. In particular, acyl-ghrelin acutely stimulated food intake at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg BW in standard chow-fed LEAP2-KO mice while a 2× higher dose was required by wild-type littermates. Also, acyl-ghrelin stimulated food intake at a dose of 1 mg/kg BW in high-fat diet-fed LEAP2-KO mice while not even a 10× higher dose was effective in wild-type littermates. Acyl-ghrelin induced a 90.9% higher plasma GH level and 77.2–119.7% higher numbers of c-fos-immunoreactive cells in the arcuate nucleus and olfactory bulb, respectively, in LEAP2-KO mice than in wild-type littermates. LEAP2 deletion raised body weight (by 15.0%), food intake (by 18.4%), lean mass (by 6.1%), hepatic fat (by 42.1%), and body length (by 1.7%) in females on long-term high-fat diet as compared to wild-type littermates. After only 4 weeks on the high-fat diet, female LEAP2-KO mice exhibited lower O2 consumption (by 13%), heat production (by 9.5%), and locomotor activity (by 49%) than by wild-type littermates during the first part of the dark period. These genotype-dependent differences were not observed in high-fat diet-exposed males or female and male mice exposed for long term to standard chow diet. Conclusions LEAP2 deletion sensitizes lean and obese mice to the acute effects of administered acyl-ghrelin on food intake and GH secretion. LEAP2 deletion increases body weight in females chronically fed a high-fat diet as a result of lowered energy expenditure, reduced locomotor activity, and increased food intake. Furthermore, in female mice, LEAP2 deletion increases body length and exaggerates the hepatic fat accumulation normally associated with chronic high-fat diet feeding. A novel line of LEAP2-knockout mice was generated. LEAP2 deletion sensitizes mice to the GH secretory effects of administered ghrelin. LEAP2 deletion reduces ghrelin resistance in diet-induced obese mice. HFD-fed female LEAP2-KO mice eat more and gain more body weight and hepatic fat. HFD-fed female LEAP2-KO mice exhibit lowered energy expenditure and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kripa Shankar
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nathan P Metzger
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Omprakash Singh
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Bharath K Mani
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sherri Osborne-Lawrence
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Salil Varshney
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Deepali Gupta
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sean B Ogden
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shota Takemi
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Corine P Richard
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Karabi Nandy
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chen Liu
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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19
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Cornejo MP, Mustafá ER, Cassano D, Banères JL, Raingo J, Perello M. The ups and downs of growth hormone secretagogue receptor signaling. FEBS J 2021; 288:7213-7229. [PMID: 33460513 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) has emerged as one of the most fascinating molecules from the perspective of neuroendocrine control. GHSR is mainly expressed in the pituitary and the brain, and plays key roles regulating not only growth hormone secretion but also food intake, adiposity, body weight, glucose homeostasis and other complex functions. Quite atypically, GHSR signaling displays a basal constitutive activity that can be up- or downregulated by two digestive system-derived hormones: the octanoylated-peptide ghrelin and the liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), which was recently recognized as an endogenous GHSR ligand. The existence of two ligands with contrary actions indicates that GHSR activity can be tightly regulated and that the receptor displays the capability to integrate such opposing inputs in order to provide a balanced intracellular signal. This article provides a summary of the current understanding of the biology of ghrelin, LEAP2 and GHSR and discusses the reconceptualization of the cellular and physiological implications of the ligand-regulated GHSR signaling, based on the latest findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- María P Cornejo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emilio R Mustafá
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Cassano
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jean-Louis Banères
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, Faculté de Pharmacie, Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Jesica Raingo
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mario Perello
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell Biology [IMBICE, Argentine Research Council (CONICET), Scientific Research Commission, Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), National University of La Plata], Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Lu X, Huang L, Huang Z, Feng D, Clark RJ, Chen C. LEAP-2: An Emerging Endogenous Ghrelin Receptor Antagonist in the Pathophysiology of Obesity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:717544. [PMID: 34512549 PMCID: PMC8428150 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.717544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2), originally described as an antimicrobial peptide, has recently been recognized as an endogenous blocker of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a). GHS-R1a, also known as ghrelin receptor, is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) widely distributed on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland where it exerts its major functions of regulating appetite and growth hormone (GH) secretion. The activity of GHS-R1a is controlled by two counter-regulatory endogenous ligands: Ghrelin (activation) and LEAP-2 (inhibition). Ghrelin activates GHS-R1a on the neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related protein (NPY/AgRP) neurons at the arcuate nucleus (ARC) to promote appetite, and on the pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate GH release. On the flip side, LEAP-2, acts both as an endogenous competitive antagonist of ghrelin and an inverse agonist of constitutive GHS-R1a activity. Such a biological property of LEAP-2 vigorously blocks ghrelin's effects on food intake and hormonal secretion. In circulation, LEAP-2 displays an inverse pattern as to ghrelin; it increases with food intake and obesity (positive energy balance), whereas decreases upon fasting and weight loss (negative energy balance). Thus, the LEAP-2/ghrelin molar ratio fluctuates in response to energy status and modulation of this ratio conversely influences energy intake. Inhibiting ghrelin's activity has shown beneficial effects on obesity in preclinical experiments, which sheds light on LEAP-2's anti-obesity potential. In this review, we will analyze LEAP-2's effects from a metabolic point of view with a focus on metabolic hormones (e.g., ghrelin, GH, and insulin), and discuss LEAP-2's potential as a promising therapeutic target for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehan Lu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lili Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zhengxiang Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dandan Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Richard J. Clark
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- *Correspondence: Chen Chen,
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