Fatty acid regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism

Androgen signaling inhibits de novo lipogenesis to alleviate lipid deposition in zebrafish

Testosterone is closely associated with lipid metabolism and known to affect body fat composition and muscle mass in males. However, the mechanisms by which testosterone acts on lipid metabolism are not yet fully understood, especially in teleosts. In this study, cyp17a1-/- zebrafish ( Danio rerio) exhibited excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT), lipid content, and up-regulated expression and activity of hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) enzymes. The assay for transposase accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) results demonstrated that chromatin accessibility of DNL genes was increased in cyp17a1-/- fish compared to cyp17a1+/+ male fish, including stearoyl-CoA desaturase ( scd) and fatty acid synthase ( fasn). Androgen response element (ARE) motifs in the androgen signaling pathway were significantly enriched in cyp17a1+/+ male fish but not in cyp17a1-/- fish. Both androgen receptor ( ar)-/- and wild-type (WT) zebrafish administered with Ar antagonist flutamide displayed excessive visceral adipose tissue, lipid content, and up-regulated expression and activity of hepatic de novo lipogenesis enzymes. The Ar agonist BMS-564929 reduced the content of VAT and lipid content, and down-regulated acetyl-CoA carboxylase a ( acaca), fasn, and scd expression. Mechanistically, the rescue effect of testosterone on cyp17a1-/- fish in terms of phenotypes was abolished when ar was additionally depleted. Collectively, these findings reveal that testosterone inhibits lipid deposition by down-regulating DNL genes via Ar in zebrafish, thus expanding our understanding of the relationship between testosterone and lipid metabolism in teleosts.

Efficacy of Ganshuang granules on non-alcoholic fatty liver and underlying mechanism: a network pharmacology and experimental verification

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential pharmacological mechanisms of Ganshuang granules (, GSG) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD).

METHODS

All the active components and targets of GSG were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. Protein-Protein interaction network, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology function annotation of common targets were analyzed to predict the mechanisms of action of GSG in the treatment of NAFLD. Then, the mouse models of NAFLD were constructed in a diet-induced manner and treated with GSG. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway-related proteins in the liver of mice in each group were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology revealed a total of 159 potential targets of GSG for the treatment of NAFLD. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be involved during GSG treatment of NAFLD. Further experiments showed that the significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in NAFLD model mice serum after GSG treatment, as well as the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the liver. Furthermore, drug intervention increased the protein expression levels of phosphorylated-PI3K (P-PI3K) and P-AKT in the liver of the model group mice, and decreased the protein expression level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1.

CONCLUSION

We found that GSG is effective in treating NAFLD and the potential therapeutic targets may be involved in PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Complex-Forming Properties of the Anti-Inflammatory Sialorphin Derivative Palmitic Acid-Lysine-Lysine-Glutamine-Histidine-Asparagine-Proline-Arginine with Cu(II) Ions in an Aqueous Solution

The present work describes the complexation of the anti-inflammatory sialorphin derivative Pal-Lys-Lys-Gln-His-Asn-Pro-Arg (palmitic acid-lysine-lysine-glutamine-histidine-asparagine-proline-arginine) with Cu(II) ions in an aqueous solution, at a temperature of 25.0 ± 0.1 °C, over the whole pH range. The complexing properties were characterized by potentiometric and UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods. The potentiometric method was used to calculate the logarithms of the overall stability constants (log β) and the values of the stepwise dissociation constants (pKa) of the studied complexes. The percentage of each species formed in an aqueous solution was estimated from the species distribution curve as a function of pH. The absorbance (A) and molar absorption coefficient (ε) values for the Cu(II)-sialorphin derivative system were determined with UV-Vis spectroscopy. Our studies indicate that the sialorphin derivative forms stable complexes with Cu(II) ions, which may lead to future biological and therapeutic applications.

The association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the thickness of carotid plaque

BACKGROUND

The relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and atherosclerosis has been controversial, which has become a hit of recent research. The study aimed to explore the association between MASLD, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVD), and the thickness of carotid plaque which was assessed by ultrasound.

METHODS

From September 2018 to June 2019, 3543 patients were enrolled. We asked participants to complete questionnaires to obtain information. All patients underwent liver ultrasound and bilateral carotid ultrasound to obtain carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and maximum carotid plaque thickness (CPT). Hepatic steatosis was quantified during examination according to Hamaguchi's ultrasonographic score, from 0 to 6 points. A score < 2 was defined as without fatty liver, and a score ≥ 2 was defined as fatty liver. Information about blood lipids was collected based on the medical records.

RESULTS

We found common risk factors for CCVD events, MASLD, and atherosclerosis. There was a significant correlation between MASLD and carotid plaque, but not with CPT. No association was found between MASLD and CCVD events. CPT and IMT were thicker in CCVD patients than in non-CCVD patients. No significant difference was found between IMT and CPT in MASLD patients and non-MASLD patients. CCVD was independently and consistently associated with higher IMT, and free fatty acid (FFA).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, we recommend carotid ultrasound examination of the patients when FFA is increased, regardless of the presence of risk factors and MASLD. Due to the distribution of CPT of both CCVD and MASLD patients in the CPT 2-4 mm group, contrast-enhanced ultrasound is necessary to assess the vulnerability of the plaque when CPT ≥ 2 mm. Timely treatment of vulnerable plaques may reduce the incidence of future CCVD events.

Liver triacylglycerol accumulation but not postprandial lipemia is reduced by a skim milk powder diet in male rats

Increases in postprandial lipids are linked to the development of cardiometabolic and fatty liver disease. Prior work has suggested that dairy possesses beneficial cardiometabolic effects and thus the aim of the current investigation was to test the hypotheses that the habitual consumption of dairy, in the form of skim milk powder (SMP), would protect against increases in circulating lipids and liver lipid accumulation following an oral fat challenge in rats. Male rats were fed either a semipurified low-fat control diet with casein or a diet with an equivalent amount of protein (∼13% kcal) provided through skim milk powder (SMP) for 6 weeks (n = 40/group). Rats were then given an oral gavage of palm oil (5 mL/kg body weight) or an equivalent volume of water, and serum and liver were harvested 90 minutes or 4 hours after. Rats fed the SMP diet gained less weight than controls but there were no differences in glucose tolerance between groups. The fat gavage increased serum lipids in both diet groups, whereas there was a main effect of the fat challenge to increase, and the SMP diet, to decrease liver triacylglycerol accumulation. The percentage of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and the protein content/activity of lipogenic enzymes were reduced in livers from SMP-fed rats, whereas the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was increased. In summary, we provide evidence that SMP consumption, although not protecting against postprandial lipemia, markedly attenuates triacylglycerol accumulation and the relative amount of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver.

Getting fat and stressed: Effects of dietary intake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the liver of turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The extensive use of nanomaterials, including titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), raises concerns about their persistence in ecosystems. Protecting aquatic ecosystems and ensuring healthy and safe aquaculture products requires the assessment of the potential impacts of NPs on organisms. Here, we study the effects of a sublethal concentration of citrate-coated TiO2 NPs of two different primary sizes over time in flatfish turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758). Bioaccumulation, histology and gene expression were assessed in the liver to address morphophysiological responses to citrate-coated TiO2 NPs. Our analyses demonstrated a variable abundance of lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes dependent on TiO2 NPs size, an increase in turbot exposed to smaller TiO2 NPs and a depletion with larger TiO2 NPs. The expression patterns of genes related to oxidative and immune responses and lipid metabolism (nrf2, nfκb1, and cpt1a) were dependent on the presence of TiO2 NPs and time of exposure supporting the variance in hepatic LDs distribution over time with the different NPs. The citrate coating is proposed as the likely catalyst for such effects. Thus, our findings highlight the need to scrutinize the risks associated with exposure to NPs with distinct properties, such as primary size, coatings, and crystalline forms, in aquatic organisms.

Hepatic transcriptome analysis reveals that elovl5 deletion promotes PUFA biosynthesis and deposition

The safe and low-cost acquisition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has become a research hotspot. Fatty acyl elongase 5 (Elovl5), a rate-limiting enzyme for fatty acid elongation, is principally in charge of extending C18 and C20 PUFA substrates. However, the role of elovl5 in regulating pathways and genes involved in PUFA synthesis remain largely unknown. Here, hepatic transcriptome analysis of wild-type and elovl5 knockout (elovl5^-/-) zebrafish was performed to identify the potential regulatory targets related to PUFA deposition and synthesis. There were 1579 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 787 had their expression levels increased while 792 had the opposite effect. Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway was considerably enriched in DEGs, according to the KEGG analysis, in which fatp2, fabp7, and pparδ were engaged in PUFA absorption and deposition. Additionally, transcriptome analysis also revealed that cyp46a1 and cyp2r1 were implicated in the synthesis of bile acids and the metabolism of vitamin D, thus indirectly participating in PUFA biosynthesis and deposition. Finally, the DEGs, which improve PUFA level following elovl5 deletion, were verified through feeding experiment with two prepared diets soybean oil diet and linolenic acid oil diet. This study revealed potential regulatory targets that improve PUFA level after elovl5 deletion in teleosts.

The roles of dietary lipids and lipidomics in gut-brain axis in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), one of the main types of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by dysfunctional pancreatic β-cells and/or peripheral insulin resistance, resulting in impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. Genetic, metabolic, multiple lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors are known as related to high T2DM risk. Dietary lipids and lipid metabolism are significant metabolic modulators in T2DM and T2DM-related complications. Besides, accumulated evidence suggests that altered gut microbiota which plays an important role in the metabolic health of the host contributes significantly to T2DM involving impaired or improved glucose and lipid metabolism. At this point, dietary lipids may affect host physiology and health via interaction with the gut microbiota. Besides, increasing evidence in the literature suggests that lipidomics as novel parameters detected with holistic analytical techniques have important roles in the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM, through various mechanisms of action including gut-brain axis modulation. A better understanding of the roles of some nutrients and lipidomics in T2DM through gut microbiota interactions will help develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of T2DM. However, this issue has not yet been entirely discussed in the literature. The present review provides up-to-date knowledge on the roles of dietary lipids and lipidomics in gut-brain axis in T2DM and some nutritional strategies in T2DM considering lipids- lipidomics and gut microbiota interactions are given.

Depletion of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (scd) leads to fatty liver disease and defective mating behavior in zebrafish

Stearyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD), also known as delta-9 desaturase, catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the formation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In mammals, depletion or inhibition of SCD activity generally leads to a decrease in triglycerides and cholesteryl esters. However, the endogenous role of scd in teleost fish remains unknown. Here, we generated a zebrafish scd mutant (scd^-/-) to elucidate the role of scd in lipid metabolism and sexual development. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that the scd^-/- mutants had increased levels of saturated fatty acids C16:0 and C18:0, and decreased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids C16:1 and C18:1. The mutant fish displayed a short stature and an enlarged abdomen during development. Unlike Scd^-/- mammals, the scd^-/- zebrafish showed significantly increased fat accumulation in the whole body, especially in the liver, leading to hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and severe cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, srebf1, a gene encoding a transcriptional activator related to adipogenesis, acc1 and acaca, genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, and dgat2, a key gene involved in triglyceride synthesis, were significantly upregulated in mutant livers to activate fatty acid biosynthesis and adipogenesis. The scd^-/- males exhibited defective natural mating behavior due to defective genital papillae but possessed functional mature sperm. All defects in the scd^-/- mutants could be rescued by ubiquitous transgenic overexpression of scd. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that scd is indispensable for maintaining lipid homeostasis and development of secondary sexual characteristics in zebrafish.

Targeting fatty acid metabolism in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary tumor of the brain defined by its uniform lethality and resistance to conventional therapies. There have been considerable efforts to untangle the metabolic underpinnings of this disease to find novel therapeutic avenues for treatment. An emerging focus in this field is fatty acid (FA) metabolism, which is critical for numerous diverse biological processes involved in GBM pathogenesis. These processes can be classified into four broad fates: anabolism, catabolism, regulation of ferroptosis, and the generation of signaling molecules. Each fate provides a unique perspective by which we can inspect GBM biology and gives us a road map to understanding this complicated field. This Review discusses the basic, translational, and clinical insights into each of these fates to provide a contemporary understanding of FA biology in GBM. It is clear, based on the literature, that there are far more questions than answers in the field of FA metabolism in GBM, and substantial efforts should be made to untangle these complex processes in this intractable disease.

Fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) in cancer

Lipids play pivotal roles in cancer biology. Lipids have a wide range of biological roles, especially in cell membrane synthesis, serve as energetic molecules in regulating energy-demanding processes; and they play a significant role as signalling molecules and modulators of numerous cellular functions. Lipids may participate in the development of cancer through the fatty acid signalling pathway. Lipids consumed in the diet act as a key source of extracellular pools of fatty acids transported into the cellular system. Increased availability of lipids to cancer cells is due to increased uptake of fatty acids from adipose tissues. Lipids serve as a source of energy for rapidly dividing cancerous cells. Surviving requires the swift synthesis of biomass and membrane matrix to perform exclusive functions such as cell proliferation, growth, invasion, and angiogenesis. FATPs (fatty acid transport proteins) are a group of proteins involved in fatty acid uptake, mainly localized within cells and the cellular membrane, and have a key role in long-chain fatty acid transport. FATPs are composed of six isoforms that are tissue-specific and encoded by a specific gene. Previous studies have reported that FATPs can alter fatty acid metabolism, cell growth, and cell proliferation and are involved in the development of various cancers. They have shown increased expression in most cancers, such as melanoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, bladder cancer, and lung cancer. This review introduces a variety of FATP isoforms and summarises their functions and their possible roles in the development of cancer.

Bacillus licheniformis FA6 Affects Zebrafish Lipid Metabolism through Promoting Acetyl-CoA Synthesis and Inhibiting β-Oxidation

The intestinal microbiota contributes to energy metabolism, but the molecular mechanisms involved remain less clear. Bacteria of the genus Bacillus regulate lipid metabolism in the host and are thus commonly used as beneficial probiotic supplements. In the present study, Bacillus licheniformis FA6 was selected to assess its role in modulating lipid metabolism of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Combining 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, micro-CT scan, metabolic parameters measurement, and gene expression analysis, we demonstrated that B. licheniformis FA6 changed the gut microbiota composition of zebrafish and increased both the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and lipid accumulation. In terms of metabolites, B. licheniformis FA6 appeared to promote acetate production, which increased acetyl-CoA levels and promoted lipid synthesis in the liver. In contrast, addition of B. licheniformis lowered carnitine levels, which in turn reduced fatty acid oxidation in the liver. At a molecular level, B. licheniformis FA6 upregulated key genes regulating de novo fatty acid synthesis and downregulated genes encoding key rate-limiting enzymes of fatty acid β-oxidation, thereby promoting lipid synthesis and reducing fatty acid oxidation. Generally, our results reveal that B. licheniformis FA6 promotes lipid accumulation in zebrafish through improving lipid synthesis and reducing β-oxidation.

Effects of a Phytogenic Supplement Containing Olive By-Product and Green Tea Extracts on Growth Performance, Lipid Metabolism, and Hepatic Antioxidant Capacity in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Fed a High Soybean Meal Diet

A 10-week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) containing olive by-products and green tea extracts supplemented to a reduced fishmeal/high soybean meal diet on the growth performance, hepatic antioxidant capacity, lipid metabolism, and liver health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Three experimental diets were tested: (1) a control high fishmeal (40%) and low soybean meal (15.57%) diet (named HFM), (2) a reduced fishmeal (30%) and high soybean meal (30.97%) diet (named HSB), and (3) a HSB diet supplemented with the PFA at 500 mg/kg (named HSB+P). Each diet was assigned to four replicate tanks, each containing 30 largemouth bass (initial body weight, IBW = 48.33 ± 0.01 g). The results showed that increasing the soybean meal content in the diet did not negatively affect growth performance, whereas supplementation with PFA significantly increased weight gain and specific growth rate of largemouth bass compared to both HFM and HSB groups. Reducing fishmeal and increasing soybean meal in the diet caused oxidative stress with a higher content of ROS in the liver. However, the hepatic antioxidant capacity was enhanced, with reduced ROS and increased GSH-Px levels in the HSB+P group. Moreover, the decrease of plasma TG, LDL-C, and LDL-C/TC, and downregulation of lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis gene expression in liver, indicated that supplementation with the PFA improved fish lipid metabolism. Protein retention efficiency was also significantly increased in largemouth bass fed the diet with PFA supplementation, which regulated (enhanced) AKT-mTOR phosphorylation. These results clearly indicated that a PFA containing olive by-product and green tea extracts can positively improve growth performance, protein retention efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of largemouth bass fed a reduced fishmeal/high soybean meal diet.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Cancer Treatment-Mechanisms of Action and Emerging New Perspectives

A new group of antidiabetic drugs, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 inhibitors), have recently been shown to have anticancer effects and their expression has been confirmed in many cancer cell lines. Given the metabolic reprogramming of these cells in a glucose-based model, the ability of SGLT-2 inhibitors to block the glucose uptake by cancer cells appears to be an attractive therapeutic approach. In addition to tumour cells, SGLT-2s are only found in the proximal tubules in the kidneys. Furthermore, as numerous clinical trials have shown, the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors is well-tolerated and safe in patients with diabetes and/or heart failure. In vitro cell culture studies and preclinical in vivo studies have confirmed that SGLT-2 inhibitors exhibit antiproliferative effects on certain types of cancer. However, the mechanisms of this action remain unclear. Even in those tumour cell types in which SGLT-2 is present, there is sometimes an SGLT-2-independent mechanism of anticancer action of this group of drugs. This article presents the current state of knowledge of the potential mechanisms of the anticancer action of SGLT-2 inhibitors and their possible future application in clinical oncology.

Metagenomic insights into the modulatory effects of kelp powder (Thallus laminariae)-Treated dairy milk on growth performances and physiological lipometabolic processes of kunming mice

Kelp powder, supplemented with a dairy cow diet, effectively improved the milk polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content. However, little information exists on the downstream effects of the kelp-treated milk on body health, gut microbiota, and nutrient metabolism. For this purpose, 48 3-week old Kunming (KM) male mice with an average body weight of 16.1 g ± 0.2 g were randomly divided into the control treatment (CON, fed with standard chow), the common milk supplement treatment (Milk), and the kelp powder-treated milk supplement treatment (KPM). The experiment lasted for 35 days, with a 7-day long adaptive period and a 28-day long main trial. Phenotypic parameters including growth performances and serum lipids-related parameters were first measured, and results indicated that Milk and KPM supplement significantly promoted the total body weight gain (P < 0.05), while significantly decreasing the feed conversion ratio compared with CON (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the blood lipids content among all three treatments, however, the triglyceride content showed a decreasing trend after KPM supplement treatment. Further, activities of liver lipometabolic-related enzymes were investigated to determine the underlying factors that impacted physiological lipid metabolism. KPM treatment showed a significant reductive effect on the activity of lipogenesis-related enzymes, such as FAS and ACC, while a significant stimulative effect on the activity of lipolysis-related enzymes included the ATGL and CPT1 compared with CON (P < 0.05). Finally, gastrointestinal tract development and cecal microbiota community that correlated with body lipid degradation and absorption were measured to determine the underlying mechanism of KPM supplementation on physiological lipid metabolism. Results indicated that supplementation with KPM significantly enhanced cecal bacteria diversity which was reflected in the significant increase of Chao1 and ACE indexes. Besides, starch-degraded bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae, and Streptococcus are significant decreased (P < 0.05), while cellulose-degraded bacteria including Parabacteroides, Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Bifidobacterium are significantly increased (P < 0.05) after KPM supplement, which may further restrict the energy generation and therefore reduce the lipid deposition. In summary, kelp supplement helped increase the milk PUFAs content, enhance the bacterial diversity and relative abundances of probiotics, which finally modulated physiological lipid metabolism, and promote growth performances.

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase Knockout Modulates Metabolic Changes in Aging Mice

Phospholipid metabolism, including phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis, is crucial for various biological functions and is associated with longevity. Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) is a protein that catalyzes the biosynthesis of PC, the levels of which change in various organs such as the brain and kidneys during aging. However, the role of PEMT for systemic PC supply is not fully understood. To address how PEMT affects aging-associated energy metabolism in tissues responsible for nutrient absorption, lipid storage, and energy consumption, we employed NMR-based metabolomics to study the liver, plasma, intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), brown/white adipose tissues (BAT and WAT), and skeletal muscle of young (9-10 weeks) and old (91-132 weeks) wild-type (WT) and PEMT knockout (KO) mice. We found that the effect of PEMT-knockout was tissue-specific and age-dependent. A deficiency of PEMT affected the metabolome of all tissues examined, among which the metabolome of BAT from both young and aged KO mice was dramatically changed in comparison to the WT mice, whereas the metabolome of the jejunum was only slightly affected. As for aging, the absence of PEMT increased the divergence of the metabolome during the aging of the liver, WAT, duodenum, and ileum and decreased the impact on skeletal muscle. Overall, our results suggest that PEMT plays a previously underexplored, critical role in both aging and energy metabolism.

Big Fish or No Fish; Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Cardiovascular Disease

Benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for cardiovascular and other diseases have been touted for more than 50 years. The one clear clinical benefit of these lipids is the reduction of circulating levels of triglycerides, making them a useful approach for the prevention of pancreatitis in severely hypertriglyceridemic patients. After a series of spectacularly failed clinical trials that were criticized for the choice of subjects and doses of omega 3 fatty acids used, Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) using a high dose of icosapent ethyl (IPE) reported a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. However, this trial has generated controversy due to the use of mineral oil in the control group and the associated side effects of the IPA. This review will focus on the following topics: What are the epidemiologic data suggesting a benefit of omega 3 fatty acids? What might be the mechanisms for these benefits? Why have the clinical trials failed to resolve whether these fatty acids provide benefit? What choices should a clinician consider?

Biphasic flow dynamics and polarized mass transportation in branched hepatic sinusoids

In fatty liver diseases, such as liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis, blood flow in hepatic sinusoids, an elementary building block of the liver lobule, tends to bypass through collateral vessels inside sinusoids and presents distinct sinusoidal flows compared to normal physiological flows. It remains unclear in those flow characteristics in branched sinusoids and the correlation of pathological flows with liver lesions, mainly due to the difficulty of direct hemodynamics measurements in the sinusoids. Here, we developed a dual-branched theoretical model of hepatic sinusoidal flow to elucidate the relevant flow dynamics and mass transport. Numerical simulations, based on the lattice Boltzmann method, indicated that the flow velocity distribution in hepatic sinusoids is mainly dominated by endothelium permeability and presents a non-monotonic variation with the permeability at the fusion segment of these branched sinusoids. Flow-induced shear stress on the endothelium at the side of the Disse space exhibited a biphasic pattern, yielding a low shear stress region at the junctional site. Meanwhile, a highly polarized distribution of lipoproteins concentration was also presented at the low shear stress region, indicating a localized accumulation of typical hepatic serum proteins. Thus, this work provides the basic understanding of blood flow features and mass transport regulations in branched hepatic sinusoids.

Multiple roles played by the mitochondrial citrate carrier in cellular metabolism and physiology

The citrate carrier (CIC) is an integral protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane which catalyzes the efflux of mitochondrial citrate (or other tricarboxylates) in exchange with a cytosolic anion represented by a tricarboxylate or a dicarboxylate or phosphoenolpyruvate. In this way, the CIC provides the cytosol with citrate which is involved in many metabolic reactions. Several studies have been carried out over the years on the structure, function and regulation of this metabolite carrier protein both in mammals and in many other organisms. A lot of data on the characteristics of this protein have therefore accumulated over time thereby leading to a complex framework of metabolic and physiological implications connected to the CIC function. In this review, we critically analyze these data starting from the multiple roles played by the mitochondrial CIC in many cellular processes and then examining the regulation of its activity in different nutritional and hormonal states. Finally, the metabolic significance of the citrate flux, mediated by the CIC, across distinct subcellular compartments is also discussed.

Perilla frutescens seed oil combined with Anredera cordifolia leaf powder attenuates age-related cognitive decline by reducing serum triglyceride and glucose levels in healthy elderly Japanese individuals: a possible supplement for brain health

We have shown that Anredera cordifolia extract improves learning and memory in a senescence-accelerated mouse model, and that α-linolenic acid (ALA)-rich Perilla frutescens seed oil (PO) improves brain function in healthy Japanese adults and elderly individuals. Herein, we present a 12-month, randomised, double-blind, parallel-armed intervention trial examining the effects of PO supplementation alone or in combination with A. cordifolia leaf powder on brain function in healthy elderly Japanese individuals. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the PO group received 1.47 mL PO (0.88 g ALA) daily via soft gelatine capsules, and the POAC group received 1.47 mL PO and 1.12 g A. cordifolia leaf powder (1.46 mg vitexin and 1.12 mg adenosine) daily. After 12 months of intervention, the POAC group showed generally higher cognitive index scores than the PO group. The beneficial effects of combined supplementation on cognitive function were associated with increased ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid levels in red blood cell plasma membranes, increased serum biological antioxidant potential, and decreased serum triglyceride, glucose, and N-(epsilon)-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), an advanced glycation end-product and biochemical marker of oxidative stress levels. The effects of combined supplementation on cognitive function also showed a significant negative correlation with serum CML levels after 12 months of intervention. Our findings suggest that combined long-term supplementation with PO and A. cordifolia more effectively ameliorates age-related cognitive decline than PO alone. These findings may serve as a basis for the development of new supplements for brain health. Clinical Trial Registry, UMIN000040863.

FADS Polymorphisms Affect the Clinical and Biochemical Phenotypes of Metabolic Syndrome

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) play important roles in human health, from controlling inflammation to lipid and glucose homeostasis. In our previous study, which employed a cluster analysis of a plasma fatty acid (FA) pattern, we identified two clusters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) independent of clinical and biochemical parameters within the whole study group (controls together with metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients). FA desaturase (FADS) genes are the key regulators of LC-PUFA metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyze associations between FADS polymorphisms and clusters of MetS. The study group consisted of 188 controls and 166 patients with MetS. The first cluster contained 71 controls (CON1) and 109 MetS patients (MetS1). The second cluster consisted of 117 controls (CON2) and 57 MetS patients (MetS2). In comparison with MetS2, cluster MetS1 displayed a more adverse risk profile. Cluster CON1 had, in comparison with CON2, higher body weight and increased triacylglycerol levels (p < 0.05). We found that the FADS rs174537 (p < 0.001), rs174570 (p < 0.01), and rs174602 (p < 0.05) polymorphisms along with two inferred haplotypes had statistically significant genotype associations with the splitting of MetS into MetS1 and MetS2. Conversely, we observed no significant differences in the distribution of FADS polymorphisms between MetS and CON subjects, or between CON1 and CON2. These associations between FADS polymorphisms and two clusters of MetS (differing in waist circumference, HOMA-IR, lipolysis, and oxidative stress) implicate the important influence of genetic factors on the phenotypic manifestation of MetS.

Integrative Analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Reveals the Key lncRNAs Implicated Potentially in the Differentiation of Adipocyte in Goats

Goats are popular in China because of their superior meat quality, delicate flesh, and unique flavor. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. However, the effects of lncRNAs on adipocyte differentiation in goat has not been fully elucidated yet. In this investigation, we performed RNA-Seq analysis of intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes from Jianzhou Daer goat before and after differentiation, including both intramuscular preadipocytes (IMPA) vs. intramuscular adipocytes (IMA) and subcutaneous preadipocytes (SPA) vs. subcutaneous adipocytes (SA). A total of 289.49 G clean reads and 12,519 lncRNAs were obtained from 20 samples. In total, 3,733 differentially expressed RNAs (182 lncRNAs and 3,551 mRNAs) were identified by pairwise comparison. There were 135 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) specific to intramuscular adipocytes, 39 DELs specific to subcutaneous adipocytes, and 8 DELs common to both adipocytes in these 182 DELs. Some well-known and novel pathways associated with preadipocyte differentiation were identified: fat acid metabolism, TGF-beta signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. By integrating miRNA-seq data from another study, we also identified hub miRNAs in both types of fat cells. Our analysis revealed the unique and common lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks of two kinds of adipocytes. Several lncRNAs that regulate potentially goat preadipocyte differentiation were identified, such as XR_001918 647.1, XR_001917728.1, XR_001297263.2 and LNC_004191. Furthermore, our findings from the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying in goat meat quality and provide a theoretical basis for further goat molecular breeding.

Low n-6/n-3 Gestation and Lactation Diets Influence Early Performance, Muscle and Adipose Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content and Deposition, and Relative Abundance of Proteins in Suckling Piglets

Elevated omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ratios in swine diets can potentially impose a higher risk of inflammatory and metabolic diseases in swine. A low ratio between the two omega PUFAs has beneficial effects on sows' and piglets' production performance and immunity status. At present, there are few studies on how sow nutrition directly affects the protein and fat deposition in suckling piglets. Two groups of sows were fed diets with high or low n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated ratios of 13:1 (SOY) and 4:1 (LIN), respectively, during gestation and lactation. Longissimus dorsi muscle and adipose tissue from newborn piglets, nourished only with sow's milk, were subjected to fatty acid profiling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and to proteomics assays based on nano-liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-HRMS). Fatty acid profiles on both muscle and adipose tissues resembled the magnitude of the differences between fatty acid across diets. Proteomic analysis revealed overabundance of 4 muscle and 11 adipose tissue proteins in SOY compared to LIN in both piglet tissues. The detected overabundance of haptoglobin, an acute-phase protein, and the stimulation of protein-coding genes and proteins related to the innate immune response and acute inflammatory response could be associated with the pro-inflammatory role of n-6 PUFAs.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Interaction with the Gut Microbiome in the Prevention and Amelioration of Type-2 Diabetes

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often linked with hyperglycemia, disturbed lipid profiles, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has a vital role in the management of T2DM. As a result, a better understanding of the potential role of omega-3 fatty acids in the development and progression of T2DM by influencing the intestinal microflora will help to improve the therapeutic intervention for T2DM and related complications. Focusing on the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways induced by omega-3 fatty acids, this paper attempts to comprehensively review and discuss the putative associations between omega-3 fatty acids, gut dysbiosis, and the pathophysiology of T2DM and its related comorbidities. In addition, we contemplate the importance of gut microbiota in T2DM prevention and treatment and ponder the role of omega-3 fatty acids in T2DM by positively modulating gut microbiota, which may lead to discovery of novel targets and therapeutic strategies thereby paving way for further comprehensive, mechanistic, and clinical studies.

The first study on the effect of crocodile oil from Crocodylus siamensis on hepatic mitochondrial function for energy homeostasis in rats

Background and Aim:

Consumption of fatty acids (FA) can alter hepatic energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in the liver. Crocodile oil (CO) is rich in mono-and polyunsaturated FAs, which have natural anti-inflammatory and healing properties. In rat livers, we investigated the effect of CO on mitochondrial function for energy homeostasis.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups at random. Group 1 rats were given sterile water (RO), Group 2 rats were given CO (3% v/w), and Group 3 rats were given palm oil (PO) (3% v/w). For 7 weeks, rats were given sterile water, CO, and PO orally. The researchers looked at body weight, food intake, liver weight, energy intake, blood lipid profiles, and mitochondria-targeted metabolites in the liver. The liver’s histopathology, mitochondrial architecture, and hydrolase domain containing 3 (HDHD3) protein expression in liver mitochondria were studied.

Results:

Body weight, liver weight, liver index, dietary energy intake, and serum lipid profiles were all unaffected by CO treatment. The CO group consumed significantly less food than the RO group. The CO group also had significantly higher levels of oxaloacetate and malate than the PO group. CO treatment significantly ameliorated hepatic steatosis, as evidenced by a greater decrease in the total surface area of lipid particles than PO treatment. CO administration preserved mitochondrial morphology in the liver by upregulating the energetic maintenance protein HDHD3. Furthermore, chemical-protein interactions revealed that HDHD3 was linked to the energy homeostatic pathway.

Conclusion:

CO may benefit liver function by preserving hepatic mitochondrial architecture and increasing energy metabolic activity.

Marginal Zinc Deficiency Alters Essential Fatty Acid Metabolism in Healthy Men

BACKGROUND

Rice biofortification with Zinc (Zn) can improve the Zn status of rice-consuming populations. However, the metabolic impact in humans consuming Zn-biofortified rice is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of Zn-biofortified rice on lipid metabolism in normolipidemic men.

METHODS

The men consumed a rice-based diet containing 6 mg Zn/d and 1.5 g phytate (phytate/Zn ratio = 44) for 2 wk followed by a 10-mg Zn/d diet without phytate for 4 wk. An ad libitum diet supplemented with 25 mg Zn/d was then fed for 3 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of each metabolic period for measuring plasma zinc, glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), LDL and HDL cholesterol, fatty acids, oxylipins, and fatty acid desaturase activities. Statistical differences were assessed by linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Fatty acid desaturase (FADS) 1 activity decreased by 29.1% (P = 0.007) when the 6-mg Zn/d diet was consumed for 2 wk. This change was associated with significant decreases in HDL and LDL cholesterol. The alterations in FADS1, HDL cholesterol, and TG remained unchanged when Zn intakes were increased to 10 mg/d for 4 wk. Supplementation with 25 mg Zn/d for 3 wk normalized these metabolic changes and significantly increased LDL cholesterol at the end of this metabolic period compared with baseline. FADS1 activity was inversely correlated with FADS2 (rmcorr = -0.52; P = 0.001) and TG (rmcorr = -0.55; P = 0.001) at all time points.

CONCLUSIONS

A low-zinc, high-phytate rice-based diet reduced plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations and altered fatty acid profiles in healthy men within 2 wk. Consuming 10 mg Zn/d without phytate for 4 wk did not improve the lipid profiles, but a 25-mg Zn/d supplement corrects these alterations in lipid metabolism within 3 wk.

The docosahexaenoic acid derivatives, diHEP-DPA and TH-DPA, synthesized via recombinant lipoxygenase, ameliorate disturbances in lipid metabolism and liver inflammation in high fat diet-fed mice

7S,15R-Dihydroxy-16S,17S-epoxy-docosapentaenoic acid (diHEP-DPA) and 7S,15R,16S,17S-tetrahydroxy-docosapentaenoic acid (TH-DPA) are two novel lipid mediators derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that we previously synthesized via combined enzymatic and chemical reactions. In the present study, we investigated the effects of these compounds on disturbances in lipid metabolism and liver inflammation induced by a high fat diet (HFD) in mice. Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10/group): controls, HFD only, HFD + diHEP-DPA, and HFD + TH-DPA. Mice in HFD + diHEP-DPA and HFD + TH-DPA groups were orally administered 20 μg/kg of diHEP-DPA or TH-DPA, respectively. Measurements of adipose accumulation and liver inflammation showed that both diHEP-DPA and TH-DPA decreased adipose tissue mass and liver color depth, as well as total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in the serum of HFD-fed mice compared with mice in the HFD-only group, while elevating high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Both of them also decreased hepatic expression of genes encoding lipid synthesis-related proteins (PPARγ, SIRT1, SREBP-1c and FASN) and increased the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in lipid degradation (PPARα and CPT-1) in the liver. Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that diHEP-DPA or TH-DPA administration modulated the expression of inflammation-related genes (TNF-α and IL-6) and inhibited activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in livers of HFD-fed mice. Taken together, our data indicate that diHEP-DPA and TH-DPA ameliorate liver inflammation and inhibit HFD-induced obesity in mice.

Plant and marine N3-PUFA regulation of fatty acid trafficking along the adipose tissue-liver axis varies according to nutritional state

BACKGROUND

Marine sourced N3-PUFA regulate lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and liver; however, less is known about plant sourced N3-PUFA. The goal of this study was to investigate plant and marine N3-PUFA regulation of fatty acid trafficking along the adipose tissue-liver axis according to nutritional state.

METHODS

Mice were fed low-fat diets (7% w/w) containing either lard, flaxseed, or menhaden oils for 8 weeks, and were euthanized in either fed or fasted states. Substrate utilization and physical activity were assessed during the transition from a fed to fasted state. Plasma biomarkers (triglycerides (TAG), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA)), as well as liver and epididymal adipose tissue (eWAT) lipogenic and lipolytic markers, were measured.

RESULTS

Neither plant nor marine N3-PUFA influenced substrate utilization or activity during the transition from a fed to fasted state. In the fed state, marine N3-PUFA reduced plasma TAG levels compared to the other diets, with no further reduction seen in fasted mice. Hepatic lipogenic markers (Fasn, Acc, Scd1, and Elovl6) were reduced in the fed state with marine N3-PUFA, but not plant N3-PUFA. In the fasted state, mice fed either N3-PUFA accumulated less liver TAG, had lower plasma NEFA, and suppressed eWAT HSL activity compared to lard.

CONCLUSION

Marine N3-PUFA are more potent regulators of lipogenesis than plant N3-PUFA in the fed state, whereas both N3-PUFA influence eWAT lipolysis and plasma NEFA in the fasted state. This work provides novel insights regarding N3-PUFA regulation of fatty acid trafficking along the adipose tissue-liver axis according to nutritional state.

Lactobacillus johnsonii 3-1 and Lactobacillus crispatus 7-4 promote the growth performance and ileum development and participate in lipid metabolism of broilers

Long-term use of antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) in animal production is the main cause of antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, seeking alternatives to AGP is crucial for animal husbandry. Among all AGP alternatives, probiotics are promising candidates. In this study, two strains of lactic acid bacteria, L. johnsonii 3-1 and L. crispatus 7-4, were isolated from the feces of wild Gallus gallus, which exhibited obvious anti-pathogenic activity and improved the growth performance of broilers. Furthermore, we found that these two strains participated in the lipid metabolism of broilers by reducing the content of TC and TG in ileal epithelial cells and up-regulating the liver AMPKα/PPARα/CPT-1 pathway, which affects abdominal fat deposition. In summary, L. johnsonii 3-1 and L. crispatus 7-4 have the potential to be used as AGP substitutes and participate in the lipid metabolism of broilers to reduce abdominal fat deposition. Importantly, our study reveals for the first time that L. crispatus participates in liver lipid metabolism to reduce abdominal fat deposition in broilers.

HR-MS Based Untargeted Lipidomics Reveals Characteristic Lipid Signatures of Wilson's Disease

Background and Aims: The diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD) is challenging by clinical or genetic criteria. A typical early pathological change of WD is the increased liver lipid deposition and lowered serum triglyceride (TG). Therefore, the contents of serum lipids may provide evidence for screening of biomarkers for WD. Methods: 34 WD patients, 31 WD relatives, and 65 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Serum lipidomics data was acquired by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry system, and the data were analyzed by multivariate statistical methods. Results: Of all 510 identified lipids, there are 297 differential lipids between the WD and controls, 378 differential lipids between the relatives and controls, and 119 differential lipids between the patients and relatives. In WD, the abundances of most saturated TG were increased, whereas other unsaturated lipids decreased, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), ceramide (Cer), and phosphatidylserine (PS). We also found many serum lipid species may be used as biomarkers for WD. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of PS (35:0), PS (38:5), and PS (34:0) were 0.919, 0.843, and 0.907. The AUCs of TG (38:0) and CerG1 (d42:2) were 0.948 and 0.915 and the AUCs of LPC (17:0) and LPC (15:0) were 0.980 and 0.960, respectively. The lipid biomarker panel exhibits good diagnostic performance for WD. The correlation networks were built among the different groups and the potential mechanisms of differential lipids were discussed. Interestingly, similar lipid profile of WD is also found in their relatives, which indicated the changes may also related to the mutation of the ATP7B gene. Conclusions: Lipid deregulation is another important hallmark of WD besides the deposition of copper. Our lipidomic results provide new insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic targets of WD.

Changes in the plasma lipidome of healthy subjects after coffee consumption reveal potential cardiovascular benefits: A randomized controlled trial

Lipid metabolism dysregulation is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Specific oxidized lipids are recognized CVD biomarkers involved in all stages of atherosclerosis, including foam cell formation. Moderate coffee intake is positively associated with cardiovascular health. A randomized, controlled (n = 25) clinical trial was conducted in healthy subjects to assess the changes in lipid species relevant to CVD (main inclusion criteria: coffee drinkers, nonsmokers, with no history and/or diagnosis of chronic disease and not consuming any medications). Volunteers consumed a coffee beverage (400 mL/day) containing either 787 mg (coffee A; n = 24) or 407 mg (coffee B; n = 25) of chlorogenic acids for eight weeks. We measured the total plasma levels of 46 lipids, including fatty acids, sterols, and oxysterols, at baseline and after eight weeks and assessed the effects of chlorogenic and phenolic acids, the major coffee antioxidants, in an in vitro foam cell model via targeted lipidomics. At baseline (n = 74), all participants presented oxysterols and free fatty acids (FFAs) (CVD risk markers), which are closely correlated to among them, but not with the classical clinical variables (lipid profile, waist circumference, and BMI). After eight weeks, the control group lipidome showed an increase in oxysterols (+7 ± 10%) and was strongly correlated with FFAs (e.g., arachidonic acid) and cholesteryl ester reduction (-13 ± 7%). Notably, the coffee group subjects (n = 49) had increased cholesteryl esters (+9 ± 11%), while oxysterols (-71 ± 30%) and FFAs (-29 ± 26%) decreased. No differences were found between the consumption of coffees A and B. Additionally, coffee antioxidants decreased oxysterols and regulated arachidonic acid in foam cells. Our results suggest that coffee consumption modulates the generation of oxidized and inflammatory lipids in healthy subjects, which are fundamental during CVD development. The clinical trial was registered on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, WHO primary registry (RPCEC00000168).

Lipidome changes in alcohol-related brain damage

Alcohol-related brain injury is characterized by cognitive deficits and brain atrophy with the prefrontal cortex particularly susceptible. White matter in the human brain is lipid rich and a major target of damage from chronic alcohol abuse; yet, there is sparse information on how these lipids are affected. Here, we used untargeted lipidomics as a discovery tool to describe these changes in the prefrontal, middle temporal, and visual cortices of human subjects with alcohol use disorder and controls. Significant changes to the lipidome, predominantly in the prefrontal and visual cortices, and differences between the white and grey matter of each brain region were identified. These effects include broad decreases to phospholipids and ceramide, decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreased sphingadiene backbones, and selective decreases in cholesteryl ester fatty acid chains. Our findings show that chronic alcohol abuse results in selective changes to the neurolipidome, which likely reflects both the directs effects on the brain and concurrent effects on the liver.

Short-Term Intake of Yellowstripe Scad versus Salmon Did Not Induce Similar Effects on Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Markers among Healthy Overweight Adults despite Their Comparable EPA+DHA Content

Yellowstripe scad (YSS) have comparable eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) content to salmon. We aimed to compare the effects of YSS and salmon on lipid profile and inflammatory markers. A randomized crossover trial with two diet periods was conducted among healthy overweight (with BMI 23.0-27.4 kg/m2) Malaysian adults aged 21-55 years. Steamed whole YSS fish (≈385 g whole fish/day) or salmon fillets (≈246 g fillet/day) were given for eight weeks (3 days per week), retaining approximately 1000 mg EPA+DHA per day. Diets were switched after an 8-week washout period. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after each diet period. A total of 49 subjects participated in the intervention (35% male and 65% female; mean age 29 (7) years). YSS did not induce any significant changes in outcome measures. However, the consumption of salmon as compared with YSS was associated with reduction in triglycerides (between-group difference: -0.09 mmol/1, p = 0.01), VLDL-cholesterol (between-group difference: -0.04 mmol/1, p = 0.01), atherogenic index of plasma (between-group difference: -0.05 mmol/1, p = 0.006), and IL-6 (between-group difference: -0.01 pg/mL, p = 0.03). Despite their comparable EPA+DHA content, short-term consumption of salmon but not YSS induced significant changes in lipid profile and inflammatory markers. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Beyond the X Factor: Relevance of Sex Hormones in NAFLD Pathophysiology

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health issue worldwide, being frequently associated with obesity, unbalanced dietary regimens, and reduced physical activity. Despite their greater adiposity and reduced physical activity, women show a lower risk of developing NAFLD in comparison to men, likely a consequence of a sex-specific regulation of liver metabolism. In the liver, sex differences in the uptake, synthesis, oxidation, deposition, and mobilization of lipids, as well as in the regulation of inflammation, are associated with differences in NAFLD prevalence and progression between men and women. Given the major role of sex hormones in driving hepatic sexual dimorphism, this review will focus on the role of sex hormones and their signaling in the regulation of hepatic metabolism and in the molecular mechanisms triggering NAFLD development and progression.

High fat / high cholesterol diet does not provoke atherosclerosis in the ω3-and ω6-polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis-inactivated Δ6-fatty acid desaturase-deficient mouse

Objective

An increased ω6/ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in the current Western diet is regarded as a critical epigenetic nutritional factor in the pathogenesis of several human lifestyle diseases, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, the central nervous system and the female and male reproductive systems. The impact of nutrient ω3-and ω6-PUFAs in the pathogenesis of dyslipoproteinemia and atherosclerosis has been a topic of intense efforts for several decades. Cellular homeostasis of the ω3-and ω6- PUFA pool is maintained by the synthesis of ω3-and ω6-PUFAs from essential fatty acids (EFA) (linoleic and α-linolenic acid) and their dietary supply.

In this study, we used the auxotrophic Δ6-fatty acid desaturase- (FADS2) deficient mouse (fads2−/−), an unbiased model congenial for stringent feeding experiments, to investigate the molecular basis of the proposed protective role of dietary ω3-and ω6-PUFAs (Western diet) in the pathogenesis of multifactorial dyslipoproteinemia and atherosclerosis. We focused on the metabolic axis—liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER), serum lipoprotein system (Lp) and aorta vessel wall. Furthermore, we addressed the impact of the inactivated fads2-locus with inactivated PUFA synthesis on the development and progression of extended atherosclerosis in two different mouse mutants with disrupted cholesterol homeostasis, using the apoe−/− and ldlr−/− mutants and the fads2−/− x apoe−/− and fads2−/− x ldlr−/− double mutants.

Methods

Cohorts of +/+ and fads2−/− mice underwent two long-term dietary regimens: a) a PUFA-free standard chow diet containing only EFAs, essential for viability, and b) a high fat/high cholesterol (HFHC) diet, a mimicry of the human atherogenic “Western” diet. c) To study the molecular impact of PUFA synthesis deficiency on the development and progression of atherosclerosis in the hypercholesterolemic apoe−/− and ldlr−/− mouse models fed PUFA-free regular and sustained HFHC diets, we generated the fads2−/− x apoe−/− and the fads2−/− x ldlr−/− double knockout mutants. We assessed essential molecular, biochemical and cell biological links between the diet-induced modified lipidomes of the membrane systems of the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi complex, the site of lipid synthesis, the PL monolayer and neutral lipid core of LD and serum-Lp profiles and cellular reactions in the aortic wall.

Results

ω3-and ω6-PUFA synthesis deficiency in the fads2−/− mouse causes a) hypocholesterolemia and hypotriglyceridemia, b) dyslipoproteinemia with a shift of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-enriched Lp-pattern and c) altered liver lipid droplet structures. d) Long-term HFHC diet does not trigger atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aortic arc, the thoracic and abdominal aorta of PUFA-deficient fads2−/− mice. Inactivation of the fads2−/− locus, abolishing systemic PUFA synthesis in the fads2−/− x apoe−/− and fads2−/− x ldlr−/− double knockout mouse lines.

Conclusions

Deficiency of ω3-and ω6-PUFA in the fads2−/− mutant perturbs liver lipid metabolism, causes hypocholesterolemia and hypotriglyceridemia and renders the fads2−/− mutant resistant to sustained atherogenic HFHC diet. Neither PUFA-free regular nor long-term HFHC-diet impacts the apoe- and LDL-receptor deficiency–provoked hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic plaque formation, size and distribution in the aorta. Our study strongly suggests that the absence of PUFAs as highly vulnerable chemical targets of autoxidation attenuates inflammatory responses and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.

The cumulative data and insight into the molecular basis of the pleiotropic functions of PUFAs challenge a differentiated view of PUFAs as culprits or benefactors during a lifespan, pivotal for legitimate dietary recommendations.

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ω3-and ω6-PUFA synthesis deficiency in the auxotrophic fads2−/− mouse.

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Perturbs liver membrane lipidomes and lipid metabolism

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Remodels the lipid droplet- and serum lipoprotein-systems

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Prevents PUFA-derived peroxidation products, protein modification, and inflammation

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Protects from high fat/high cholesterol (“Western diet”) that promotes atherosclerosis

Icosapent ethyl: safely reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with elevated triglycerides

INTRODUCTION

In patients at high cardiovascular risk, the rate of events remains elevated despite traditional, evidence-based lipid-lowering therapy. Residual hypertriglyceridemia is an important contributor to this risk. However, prior medications with triglyceride-lowering effects have not reduced adverse clinical outcomes in the statin era.

AREAS COVERED

The present review summarizes evidence and recommendations related to triglyceride-lowering therapy in the primary and secondary preventive settings. We provide an overview of findings from recent meta-analyses, important observational studies, and a detailed description of landmark trials, including the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT). We further review recommendations from current guidelines.

EXPERT OPINION

Icosapent ethyl is a stable, highly purified ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid that safely and effectively reduces cardiovascular events in the contemporary setting. It is prescribed at a dose of 2 grams twice daily and is indicated in patients at high cardiovascular risk who have fasting or non-fasting triglyceride levels ≥150 mg/dl despite maximally tolerated statin treatment, or in individuals with triglyceride levels ≥500 mg/dl. Conversely, omega-3 fatty acid preparations containing a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are not indicated for reduction of cardiovascular risk and should be actively deprescribed.

Circulating Fatty Acids Associated with Advanced Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in South Texas Hispanics

BACKGROUND

Hispanics in South Texas have high rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver fibrosis severity is the strongest predictive factor of NAFLD progression to HCC. We examined the association between free fatty acids (FA) and advanced liver fibrosis or HCC in this population.

METHODS

We quantified 45 FAs in plasma of 116 subjects of the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, 15 Hispanics with HCC, and 56 first/second-degree relatives of Hispanics with HCC. Liver fibrosis was assessed by FibroScan.

RESULTS

Advanced liver fibrosis was significantly associated with low expression of very long chain (VLC) saturated FAs (SFA), odd chain SFAs, and VLC n-3 polyunsaturated FAs [PUFA; AOR; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.4 (3.7-29.6); P < 0.001; 5.7 (2.2-15.2); P < 0.001; and 3.7 (1.5-9.3); P = 0.005]. VLC n3-PUFAs significantly improved the performance of the noninvasive markers for advanced fibrosis - APRI, FIB-4, and NFS. Plasma concentrations of VLC SFAs and VLC n-3 PUFAs were further reduced in patients with HCC. Low concentrations of these FAs were also observed in relatives of patients with HCC and in subjects with the PNPLA3 rs738409 homozygous genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Low plasma concentrations of VLC n-3 PUFAs and VLC SFAs were strongly associated with advanced liver fibrosis and HCC in this population. Genetic factors were associated with low concentrations of these FAs as well.

IMPACT

These results have implications in identifying those at risk for liver fibrosis progression to HCC and in screening this population for advanced fibrosis. They also prompt the evaluation of VLC n-3 PUFA or VLC SFA supplementation to prevent cirrhosis and HCC.

Vascepa protects against high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and impaired β-cell function

Omega-3 fatty acid prescription drugs, Vascepa (≥96% eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] ethyl ester) and Lovaza (46.5% EPA and 37.5% docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester) are known therapeutic regimens to treat hypertriglyceridemia. However, their impact on glucose homeostasis, progression to type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic beta cell function are not well understood. In the present study, mice were treated with Vascepa or Lovaza for one week prior to six weeks of high-fat diet feeding. Vascepa but not Lovaza led to reduced insulin resistance, reduced fasting insulin and glucose, and improved glucose intolerance. Vascepa improved beta cell function, reduced liver triglycerides with enhanced expression of hepatic fatty acid oxidation genes, and altered microbiota composition. Vascepa has protective effects on diet-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mice.

Soy Consumption, but Not Dairy Consumption, Is Inversely Associated with Fatty Acid Desaturase Activity in Young Adults

Past research using hepatic rat microsomes showed that soy protein suppressed delta-6 desaturase activity (D6D) compared to casein (a dairy protein). The effects of soy and dairy on desaturase pathway activity in humans remain poorly investigated. The objective of this analysis was to investigate the association between soy and dairy consumption with plasma fatty acids and estimate the desaturase pathway activity in a multiethnic Canadian population of young adults. We analyzed data from men (n = 319) and women (n = 764) previously collected for the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study. Food frequency questionnaires and plasma fatty acids were assessed. Relationships between soy and dairy beverages and food consumption with estimated desaturase activities were assessed by regression models and by grouping participants according to beverage and food intake data. Weak inverse associations (p ≤ 0.05) were found between soy consumption and the overall desaturation pathway activity, specifically D6D activity. When participants were grouped based on soy and dairy consumption habits, omega-6 LC-PUFAs, as well as various estimates of the desaturase pathway activity, were significantly lower in individuals consuming soy (with or without dairy) compared to individuals consuming only fluid milk and dairy products. In conclusion, soy consumption, not dairy consumption, appears to suppress desaturase pathway activity.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) disturbs fatty acid metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans: Evidence from chemical analysis and molecular mechanism exploration

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant that might induce disorders in fatty acid (FA) metabolism, but the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism can synthesize polyunsaturated FAs de novo via the polyunsaturated FA synthesis pathway. In this study, synchronized L1 C. elegans were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 μM PFOS for 72 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to establish a sensitive and reliable analysis method for PFASs in exposed nematode, the instrument detection limits of nine fatty acid methyl esters examined ranged between 1.11 and 27.6 ng/mL, with satisfactory reproducibility (RSD < 10%) observed. Methyl pentadecanoate (C15:0) was used as an internal standard, the linearity of the calibration (0.1-10 μg/mL) nine FAs from the nematode were quantitatively analyzed. Comparing with the control group, PFOS exposure caused significantly decreased levels of C18:0 while significantly increased levels of C18:3n6. A decrease in the C18:3n6: C18:2n6 ratio was observed. Consistently, expression of the FA desaturation gene fat-3 was significantly down-regulated. These findings suggest that the FA disorder is associated with decrease in mRNA expression of Δ6-desaturase genes in C. elegans. Simultaneously, the disorders in FA metabolism were found to disrupt mitochondrial function with a reduction in ATP synthesis, as determined by the luciferase method. In summary, the results of the study provide insights into the adverse effects of PFOS on FA metabolism in living organisms.

Intake of Fish and Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Previous epidemiological studies have investigated the association of fish and marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk. However, the results were inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to quantitatively evaluate the association between marine n-3 PUFA, fish and CVD mortality risk with prospective cohort studies. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and MEDLINE databases from the establishment of the database to May 2021. A total of 25 cohort studies were included with 2,027,512 participants and 103,734 CVD deaths. The results indicated that the fish consumption was inversely associated with the CVD mortality risk [relevant risk (RR) = 0.91; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.85−0.98]. The higher marine n-3 PUFA intake was associated with the reduced risk of CVD mortality (RR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.85–0.89). Dose-response analysis suggested that the risk of CVD mortality was decreased by 4% with an increase of 20 g of fish intake (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94–0.99) or 80 milligrams of marine n-3 PUFA intake (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94–0.98) per day. The current work provides evidence that the intake of fish and marine n-3 PUFA are inversely associated with the risk of CVD mortality.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SD23 Prevents Metabolic Dysfunction Associated with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Mice

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption induces obesity and increases blood glucose, insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders. Recent studies suggest that probiotics might be a novel approach to counteract these effects in the treatment of obesity. Here, we evaluated the effect of Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SD23 on obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. In the present study, mice were randomly divided into four dietary groups: standard diet (C), HFD (OB), standard diet with L. mesenteroides SD23 (CP), and HFD with L. mesenteroides SD23 (OBP). Diets were maintained for 14 weeks. Animal weight was monitored and biochemical and histological analyses were performed after intervention. OB showed metabolic dysfunction, and increased the number of larger adipocytes compared to C. OB induced liver tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression, increased cholesterol, leptin, and glucose levels compared to C. OBP reduced body weight, glucose, cholesterol, and leptin levels and improved glucose tolerance compared to OB. OBP also reduced liver steatosis, the number of larger adipocytes in adipose tissue, and reduced the villus height in the small intestine. OBP decreased expression of TNF-α and increased expression of IL-10 in liver. The parameters evaluated in the CP were similar to the C. This study provides novel evidence that dietary intervention with L. mesenteroides SD23 improves metabolic dysfunction related to obesity in HFD-fed mice.

A better quality of maternal dietary fat reduces the chance of large-for-gestational-age infants: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate the relationship between the usual intake of fatty acids and indices of dietary fat quality in pregnant women and the birth-weight categories of their newborns.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study was conducted with 734 mother-infant pairs in Brazil. Dietary intake was estimated through 24-h dietary recalls. Secondary data on birth weight, sex of the newborn, and pregnancy duration were obtained. The relationship of fatty acids and indices with birth-weight categories were investigated using logistic regression models adjusted for confounding factors. We considered P values < 0.05 significant.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) maternal age was 27 (23-31) y; 46.2% of the pregnant women had pregestational body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m², 18.1% had gestational diabetes mellitus, and 11.2% had hypertension. Regarding the newborns, 68 (9.3%) were classified as small for gestational age, 545 (74.2%) as appropriate size for gestational age, and 121 (16.5%) as large for gestational age. In adjusted logistic regression models, a lower chance of being large for gestational age was observed among the children of women classified in the third tertile (versus the first tertile) for intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (odds ratio [OR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.89; P = 0.02), ω-3 fatty acids (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.28-0.80; P = 0.005), and ω-6 fatty acids (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.96; P = 0.04) and for ratios of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.92; P = 0.03) and hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.87; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that better-quality fat in the maternal diet can reduce the chance of a large-for-gestational-age newborn.

Beneficial Effects of Betaine: A Comprehensive Review

Medicinal herbs and many food ingredients possess favorable biological properties that contribute to their therapeutic activities. One such natural product is betaine, a stable, nontoxic natural substance that is present in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Betaine is also endogenously synthesized through the metabolism of choline or exogenously consumed through dietary intake. Betaine mainly functions as (i) an osmolyte and (ii) a methyl-group donor. This review describes the major physiological effects of betaine in whole-body health and its ability to protect against both liver- as well as non-liver-related diseases and conditions. Betaine's role in preventing/attenuating both alcohol-induced and metabolic-associated liver diseases has been well studied and is extensively reviewed here. Several studies show that betaine protects against the development of alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis, apoptosis, and accumulation of damaged proteins. Additionally, it can significantly prevent/attenuate progressive liver injury by preserving gut integrity and adipose function. The protective effects are primarily associated with the regulation of methionine metabolism through removing homocysteine and maintaining cellular SAM:SAH ratios. Similarly, betaine prevents metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and its progression. In addition, betaine has a neuroprotective role, preserves myocardial function, and prevents pancreatic steatosis. Betaine also attenuates oxidant stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and cancer development. To conclude, betaine exerts significant therapeutic and biological effects that are potentially beneficial for alleviating a diverse number of human diseases and conditions.

Distinct Associations of BMI and Fatty Acids With DNA Methylation in Fasting and Postprandial States in Men

We have previously shown that blood global DNA methylation (DNAm) differs between postprandial state (PS) and fasting state (FS) and is associated with BMI and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (negatively and positively, respectively) in 12 metabolically healthy adult Mexican men (AMM cohort) equally distributed among conventional BMI classes. Here, we detailed those associations at CpG dinucleotide level by exploiting the Infinium methylation EPIC array (Illumina). We sought differentially methylated CpG (dmCpG) that were (1) associated with BMI (BMI-dmCpG) and/or fatty acids (FA) (FA-dmCpG) in FS or PS and (2) different across FS and PS within a BMI class. BMI-dmCpG and FA-dmCpG were more numerous in FS compared to PS and largely prandial state-specific. For saturated and monounsaturated FA, dmCpG overlap was higher across than within the respective saturation group. Several BMI- and FA-dmCpG mapped to genes involved in metabolic disease and in some cases matched published experimental data sets. Notably, SETDB1 and MTHFS promoter dmCpG could explain the previously observed associations between global DNAm, PUFA content, and BMI in FS. Surprisingly, overlap between BMI-dmCpG and FA-dmCpG was limited and the respective dmCpG were differentially distributed across functional genomic elements. BMI-dmCpG showed the highest overlap with dmCpG of the saturated FA palmitate, monounsaturated C20:1 and PUFA C20:2. Of these, selected promoter BMI-dmCpG showed opposite associations with palmitate compared to C20:1 and C20:2. As for the comparison between FS and PS within BMI classes, dmCpG were strikingly more abundant and variably methylated in overweight relative to normoweight or obese subjects (∼70–139-fold, respectively). Overweight-associated dmCpG-hosting genes were significantly enriched in targets for E47, SREBP1, and RREB1 transcription factors, which are known players in obesity and lipid homeostasis, but none overlapped with BMI-dmCpG. We show for the first time that the association of BMI and FA with methylation of disease-related genes is distinct in FS and PS and that limited overlap exists between BMI- and FA-dmCpG within and across prandial states. Our study also identifies a transcriptional regulation circuitry in overweight that might contribute to adaptation to that condition or to transition to obesity. Further work is necessary to define the pathophysiological implications of these findings.

Dual PPARγ/ɑ agonist oroxyloside suppresses cell cycle progression by glycolipid metabolism switch-mediated increase of reactive oxygen species levels

Cancer cells prefers to rely on aerobic glycolysis than pyruvate oxidation to meet the high demand of energy for rapidly proliferation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a kind of important ligand-inducible transcription factors and play crucial roles in glucose and lipid metabolism. Careful designing of novel agonists for PPARs, may show improvement with the side effects and also increase the therapeutic value for cancer and other metabolic disorder diseases. Compared with normal human liver cells, lower expression or acitivity of PPARs is observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we show that oroxyloside (OAG) is a new dual agonist of PPARγ/ɑ, and inhibits cell proliferation of HCC based on metabolic switch. Via both PPAR-dependent and PPAR-independent regulations on glycolipid metabolic enzymes, OAG shuts down the catabolism of glucose and promotes fatty acids oxidation to generate acetyl-CoA for TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The metabolic switch induced by OAG results in a marked increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leading to rapid dephosphorylation of RB and cell-cycle arrest in G1 phase. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) and β-Oxidation are required for the suppression of cell cycle progression by OAG. Together, our findings provide a new drug candidate and a viable therapeutic strategy for HCC based on metabolic reprogram.

Palm oil consumption and its repercussion on endogenous fatty acids distribution

The consumption of saturated lipids in combination with a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, the distribution of endogenous fatty acids (FA) after the consumption of saturated lipids and the connection between FA distribution and lipid metabolism-related genes relative expression have not been fully elucidated to date. In this study, we characterized FA profiles in the liver and visceral fats of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats fed with a high-palm-oil diet. The investigation showed that the levels of C16:0 and C18:1 (n-9) increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the liver of the high-palm-oil group (POG), while C16:1 (n-7) and C18:2 (n-6) accumulated markedly (P < 0.05) in the visceral fats of the control group (CN). A correlation analysis indicated a negative correlation between C16:0 and C16:1 (n-7) in the epididymal fat of POG. Our study also demonstrated that the intake of saturated lipids caused changes in lipid metabolism-related gene expression, especially stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), which was upregulated at the third week but was inhibited in the subsequent weeks in the POG liver and perirenal fat. The SCD had a notable positive correlation with C16:1 (n-7) in the POG liver and perirenal fat but a significant negative correlation with C16:0 in the POG epididymal fat. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that a high-C16:0 diet may result in adaptive SCD expression, and these findings may help to elucidate the effects of dietary fat on lipid metabolism.

Cardiovascular Impact of Nutritional Supplementation With Omega-3 Fatty Acids: JACC Focus Seminar

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are a key component of a heart-healthy diet. For patients without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, 2 or more servings of fatty fish per week is recommended to obtain adequate intake of omega-3 PUFAs. If this not possible, dietary supplementation with an appropriate fish oil may be reasonable. Supplementation with omega-3 PUFA capsules serves 2 distinct but overlapping roles: treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and prevention of cardiovascular events. Marine-derived omega-3 PUFAs reduce triglycerides and have pleiotropic effects including decreasing inflammation, improving plaque composition and stability, and altering cellular membranes. Clinical trial data have shown inconsistent results with omega-3 PUFAs improving cardiovascular outcomes. In this paper, the authors provide an overview of PUFAs and a summary of key clinical trial data. Recent trial data suggest the use of prescription eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event reduction in selected populations.

The Role of H2S in the Metabolism of Glucose and Lipids

Glucose and lipids are essential elements for maintaining the body's homeostasis, and their dysfunction may participate in the pathologies of various diseases, particularly diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular ailments, and cancers. Among numerous endogenous mediators, the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays a central role in the maintenance of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Current evidence from both pharmacological studies and transgenic animal models suggest a complex relationship between H₂S and metabolic dysregulation, especially in diabetes and obesity. This notion is achieved through tissue-specific expressions and actions of H₂S on target metabolic and hormone organs including the pancreas, skeletal muscle, livers, and adipose. In this chapter, we will summarize the roles and mechanisms of H₂S in several metabolic organs/tissues that are necessary for glucose and lipid metabolic homeostasis. In addition, future research directions and valuable therapeutic avenues around the pharmacological regulation of H₂S in glycolipid metabolism disorder will be also discussed.