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Kroon T, Hagstedt T, Alexandersson I, Ferm A, Petersson M, Maurer S, Zarrouki B, Wallenius K, Oakes ND, Boucher J. Chronotherapy with a glucokinase activator profoundly improves metabolism in obese Zucker rats. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabh1316. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abh1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms play a critical role in regulating metabolism, including daily cycles of feeding/fasting. Glucokinase (GCK) is central for whole-body glucose homeostasis and oscillates according to a circadian clock. GCK activators (GKAs) effectively reduce hyperglycemia, but their use is also associated with hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Given the circadian rhythmicity and natural postprandial activation of GCK, we hypothesized that GKA treatment would benefit from being timed specifically during feeding periods. Acute treatment of obese Zucker rats with the GKA AZD1656 robustly increased flux into all major metabolic pathways of glucose disposal, enhancing glucose elimination. Four weeks of continuous AZD1656 treatment of obese Zucker rats improved glycemic control; however, hepatic steatosis and inflammation manifested. In contrast, timing AZD1656 to feeding periods robustly reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in addition to improving glycemia, whereas treatment timed to fasting periods caused overall detrimental metabolic effects. Mechanistically, timing AZD1656 to feeding periods diverted newly synthesized lipid toward direct VLDL secretion rather than intrahepatic storage. In line with increased hepatic insulin signaling, timing AZD1656 to feeding resulted in robust activation of AKT, mTOR, and SREBP-1C after glucose loading, pathways known to regulate VLDL secretion and hepatic de novo lipogenesis. In conclusion, intermittent AZD1656 treatment timed to feeding periods promotes glucose disposal when needed the most, restores metabolic flexibility and hepatic insulin sensitivity, and thereby avoids hepatic steatosis. Thus, chronotherapeutic approaches may benefit the development of GKAs and other drugs acting on metabolic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kroon
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
- Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothernburg 41345, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothernburg 40530 Sweden
| | - Therese Hagstedt
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Ida Alexandersson
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Annett Ferm
- Animal Sciences and Technologies, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Marie Petersson
- Animal Sciences and Technologies, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Maurer
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Bader Zarrouki
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Kristina Wallenius
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Nicholas D. Oakes
- Functional and Mechanistic Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Jeremie Boucher
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
- Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothernburg 41345, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothernburg 40530 Sweden
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Nakamura A, Omori K, Terauchi Y. Glucokinase activation or inactivation: Which will lead to the treatment of type 2 diabetes? Diabetes Obes Metab 2021; 23:2199-2206. [PMID: 34105236 DOI: 10.1111/dom.14459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glucokinase, which phosphorylates glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate, plays a critical role in regulating blood glucose levels. On the basis of data of glucokinase-knockout and transgenic mice and humans with glucokinase mutations, glucokinase was targeted for drug development aiming to augment its activity, and thereby reduce hyperglycaemia in patients with diabetes. In fact, various small molecule compounds have been developed and clinically tested as glucokinase activators. However, some have been discontinued because of efficacy and safety issues. One of these issues is loss of the drug's efficacy over time. This unsustained glycaemic efficacy may be associated with the excess glycolysis by glucokinase activation in pancreatic beta cells, resulting in beta-cell failure. Recently, we have shown that glucokinase haploinsufficiency ameliorated glucose intolerance by increasing beta-cell function and mass in a mouse model of diabetes. Given that a similar phenotype has been observed in glucokinase-activated beta cells and diabetic beta cells, glucokinase inactivation may be a new therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinobu Nakamura
- Department of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuno Omori
- Department of Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Terauchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
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Ford BE, Chachra SS, Alshawi A, Brennan A, Harnor S, Cano C, Baker DJ, Smith DM, Fairclough RJ, Agius L. Chronic glucokinase activator treatment activates liver Carbohydrate response element binding protein and improves hepatocyte ATP homeostasis during substrate challenge. Diabetes Obes Metab 2020; 22:1985-1994. [PMID: 32519798 DOI: 10.1111/dom.14111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
AIM To test the hypothesis that glucokinase activators (GKAs) induce hepatic adaptations that alter intra-hepatocyte metabolite homeostasis. METHODS C57BL/6 mice on a standard rodent diet were treated with a GKA (AZD1656) acutely or chronically. Hepatocytes were isolated from the mice after 4 or 8 weeks of treatment for analysis of cellular metabolites and gene expression in response to substrate challenge. RESULTS Acute exposure of mice to AZD1656 or a liver-selective GKA (PF-04991532), before a glucose tolerance test, or challenge of mouse hepatocytes with GKAs ex vivo induced various Carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) target genes, including Carbohydrate response element binding protein beta isoform (ChREBP-β), Gckr and G6pc. Both glucokinase activation and ChREBP target gene induction by PF-04991532 were dependent on the chirality of the molecule, confirming a mechanism linked to glucokinase activation. Hepatocytes from mice treated with AZD1656 for 4 or 8 weeks had lower basal glucose 6-phosphate levels and improved ATP homeostasis during high substrate challenge. They also had raised basal ChREBP-β mRNA and AMPK-α mRNA (Prkaa1, Prkaa2) and progressively attenuated substrate induction of some ChREBP target genes and Prkaa1 and Prkaa2. CONCLUSIONS Chronic GKA treatment of C57BL/6 mice for 8 weeks activates liver ChREBP and improves the resilience of hepatocytes to compromised ATP homeostasis during high-substrate challenge. These changes are associated with raised mRNA levels of ChREBP-β and both catalytic subunits of AMP-activated protein kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Ford
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Shruti S Chachra
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ahmed Alshawi
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alfie Brennan
- Newcastle Drug Discovery, Newcastle Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Suzannah Harnor
- Newcastle Drug Discovery, Newcastle Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Celine Cano
- Newcastle Drug Discovery, Newcastle Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - David J Baker
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - David M Smith
- Emerging Innovations Unit, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rebecca J Fairclough
- Emerging Innovations Unit, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Loranne Agius
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Pouwer MG, Heinonen SE, Behrendt M, Andréasson AC, van Koppen A, Menke AL, Pieterman EJ, van den Hoek AM, Jukema JW, Leighton B, Jönsson-Rylander AC, Princen HMG. The APOE ∗3-Leiden Heterozygous Glucokinase Knockout Mouse as Novel Translational Disease Model for Type 2 Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetic Atherosclerosis. J Diabetes Res 2019; 2019:9727952. [PMID: 30949516 PMCID: PMC6425338 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9727952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of predictive preclinical animal models combining atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. APOE∗3-Leiden (E3L) mice are a well-established model for diet-induced hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, and glucokinase+/- (GK+/-) mice are a translatable disease model for glucose control in type 2 diabetes. The respective mice respond similarly to lipid-lowering and antidiabetic drugs as humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate/characterize the APOE∗3-Leiden.glucokinase+/- (E3L.GK+/-) mouse as a novel disease model to study the metabolic syndrome and diabetic complications. METHODS Female E3L.GK+/-, E3L, and GK+/- mice were fed fat- and cholesterol-containing diets for 37 weeks, and plasma parameters were measured throughout. Development of diabetic macro- and microvascular complications was evaluated. RESULTS Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly elevated in E3L and E3L.GK+/- mice compared to GK+/- mice, whereas fasting glucose was significantly increased in E3L.GK+/- and GK+/- mice compared to E3L. Atherosclerotic lesion size was increased 2.2-fold in E3L.GK+/- mice as compared to E3L (p = 0.037), which was predicted by glucose exposure (R 2 = 0.636, p = 0.001). E3L and E3L.GK+/- mice developed NASH with severe inflammation and fibrosis which, however, was not altered by introduction of the defective GK phenotype, whereas mild kidney pathology with tubular vacuolization was present in all three phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the E3L.GK+/- mouse is a promising novel diet-inducible disease model for investigation of the etiology and evaluation of drug treatment on diabetic atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne G. Pouwer
- Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, Netherlands
- Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Suvi E. Heinonen
- Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Margareta Behrendt
- Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Arianne van Koppen
- Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Elsbet J. Pieterman
- Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anita M. van den Hoek
- Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - J. Wouter Jukema
- Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Brendan Leighton
- Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
- The Research Network, Sandwich, Kent, UK
| | | | - Hans M. G. Princen
- Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, Netherlands
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Adingupu DD, Heinonen SE, Andréasson AC, Brusberg M, Ahnmark A, Behrendt M, Leighton B, Jönsson-Rylander AC. Hyperglycemia Induced by Glucokinase Deficiency Accelerates Atherosclerosis Development and Impairs Lesion Regression in Combined Heterozygous Glucokinase and the Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice. J Diabetes Res 2016; 2016:8630961. [PMID: 27774459 PMCID: PMC5059602 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8630961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim. Models combining diabetes and atherosclerosis are important in evaluating the cardiovascular (CV) effects and safety of antidiabetes drugs in the development of treatments targeting CV complications. Our aim was to evaluate if crossing the heterozygous glucokinase knockout mouse (GK+/-) and hyperlipidemic mouse deficient in apolipoprotein E (ApoE-/-) will generate a disease model exhibiting a diabetic and macrovascular phenotype. Methods. The effects of defective glucokinase on the glucose metabolism and on the progression and regression of atherosclerosis on high-fat diets were studied in both genders of GK+/-ApoE-/- and ApoE-/- mice. Coronary vascular function of the female GK+/-ApoE-/- and ApoE-/- mice was also investigated. Results. GK+/-ApoE-/- mice show a stable hyperglycemia which was increased on Western diet. In oral glucose tolerance test, GK+/-ApoE-/- mice showed significant glucose intolerance and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Plasma lipids were comparable with ApoE-/- mice; nevertheless the GK+/-ApoE-/- mice showed slightly increased atherosclerosis development. Conclusions. The GK+/-ApoE-/- mice showed a stable and reproducible hyperglycemia, accelerated atherosclerotic lesion progression, and no lesion regression after lipid lowering. This novel model provides a promising tool for drug discovery, enabling the evaluation of compound effects against both diabetic and cardiovascular endpoints simultaneously in one animal model.
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Anti-diabetes effect of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia through improving liver insulin resistance in diabetic rats. Life Sci 2016; 150:1-7. [PMID: 26883978 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM Cumulating evidence demonstrated that chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) had beneficial effects on the body. The present study was to investigate the anti-diabetes effect of CIHH in type-2 diabetic rats for the first time. MAIN METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (CON), diabetes mellitus group (DM, induced by high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin), CIHH treatment group (CIHH, simulated 5000-m altitude, 6h per day for 28 days), and diabetes mellitus plus CIHH treatment group (DM+CIHH). Histopathology of liver, systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), blood biochemicals, glucose and insulin tolerance were determined. The expression of proteins associated with insulin signaling pathway as well as hypoxia induced factors were assayed. KEY FINDINGS Diabetic rats showed impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis and hepatic insulin resistance in addition to increased SAP. However, SAP, serum triglyceride and cholesterol were decreased, and hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance were improved in DM+CIHH rats. Furthermore, the protein expression of glucokinase (GCK), insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2), and HIF1α were increased, while the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), was markedly reduced in DM+CIHH rats. SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that CIHH treatment has anti-diabetes effects through ameliorating insulin resistance via hepatic HIF-insulin signaling pathway in type-2 diabetic rats.
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Baker DJ, Atkinson AM, Wilkinson GP, Coope GJ, Charles AD, Leighton B. Characterization of the heterozygous glucokinase knockout mouse as a translational disease model for glucose control in type 2 diabetes. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:1629-41. [PMID: 24772483 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The global heterozygous glucokinase (GK) knockout (gk(wt/del)) male mouse, fed on a high-fat (60% by energy) diet, has provided a robust and reproducible model of hyperglycaemia. This model could be highly relevant to some facets of human type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to investigate the ability of standard therapeutic agents to lower blood glucose at translational doses, and to explore the glucose-lowering potential of novel glucokinase activators (GKAs) in this model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We measured the ability of insulin, metformin, glipizide, exendin-4 and sitagliptin, after acute or repeat dose administration, to lower free-feeding glucose levels in gk(wt/del) mice. Further, we measured the ability of novel GKAs, GKA23, GKA71 and AZD6370 to control glucose either alone or in combination with some standard agents. KEY RESULTS A single dose of insulin (1 unit·kg(-1)), metformin (150, 300 mg·kg(-1)), glipizide (0.1, 0.3 mg·kg(-1)), exendin-4 (2, 20 μg·kg(-1)) and GKAs reduced free-feeding glucose levels. Sitagliptin (10 mg·kg(-1)), metformin (300 mg·kg(-1)) and AZD6370 (30, 400 mg·kg(-1)) reduced glucose excursions on repeat dosing. At a supra-therapeutic dose (400 mg·kg(-1)), AZD6370 also lowered basal levels of glucose without inducing hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Standard glucose-lowering therapeutic agents demonstrated significant acute glucose lowering in male gk(wt/del) mice at doses corresponding to therapeutic free drug levels in man, suggesting the potential of these mice as a translatable model of human T2D. Novel GKAs also lowered glucose in this mouse model.
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Agius L. Lessons from glucokinase activators: the problem of declining efficacy. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2014; 24:1155-9. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2014.965680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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