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Zapatería B, Sevillano J, Sánchez-Alonso MG, Limones M, Pizarro-Delgado J, Zuccaro A, Herradón G, Medina-Gómez G, Ramos-Álvarez MP. Deletion of pleiotrophin impairs glucose tolerance and liver metabolism in pregnant mice: Moonlighting role of glycerol kinase. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21911. [PMID: 34551152 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101181r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pleiotrophin is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been demonstrated to have a critical role in regulating energy metabolism, lipid turnover and plasticity of adipose tissue. Here, we hypothesize that this cytokine can be involved in regulatory processes of glucose and lipid homeostasis in the liver during pregnancy. Using 18-days pregnant Ptn-deficient mice, we evaluated the biochemical profile (circulating variables), tissue mRNA expression (qPCR) and protein levels of key enzymes and transcription factors involved in main metabolic pathways. Ptn deletion was associated with a reduction in body weight gain, hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Moreover, we observed an impairment in glucose synthesis and degradation during late pregnancy in Ptn-/- mice. Hepatic lipid content was significantly lower (73.6%) in Ptn-/- mice and was associated with a clear reduction in fatty acid, triacylglycerides and cholesterol synthesis. Ptn deletion was accompanying with a diabetogenic state in the mother and a decreased expression of key proteins involved in glucose and lipid uptake and metabolism. Moreover, Ptn-/- pregnant mice have a decreased expression of transcription factors, such as PPAR-α, regulating lipid uptake and glucose and lipid utilization. Furthermore, the augmented expression and nuclear translocation of glycerol kinase, and the decrease in NUR77 protein levels in the knock-out animals can further explain the alterations observed in hepatic glucose metabolism. Our results point out for the first time that pleiotrophin is an important player in maintaining hepatic metabolic homeostasis during late gestation, and further highlighted the moonlighting role of glycerol kinase in the regulation of maternal glucose homeostasis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Zapatería
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Julio Sevillano
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - María Gracia Sánchez-Alonso
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - María Limones
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Javier Pizarro-Delgado
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Agata Zuccaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Herradón
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Gema Medina-Gómez
- Department of Basic Sciences of Health, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - María Pilar Ramos-Álvarez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Alcorcón, Spain
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Lu J, Gong Y, Wei X, Yao Z, Yang R, Xin J, Gao L, Shao S. Changes in hepatic triglyceride content with the activation of ER stress and increased FGF21 secretion during pregnancy. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2021; 18:40. [PMID: 33849585 PMCID: PMC8045396 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-021-00570-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To meet the needs of foetal growth and development, marked changes in lipid profiles occur during pregnancy. Abnormal lipid metabolism is often accompanied by adverse pregnancy outcomes, which seriously affect maternal and infant health. Further understanding of the mechanism of lipid metabolism during pregnancy would be helpful to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods Pregnant mice were euthanized in the virgin (V) state, on day 5 of pregnancy (P5), on day 12 of pregnancy (P12), on day 19 of pregnancy (P19) and on lactation day 2 (L2). Body weight and energy expenditure were assessed to evaluate the general condition of the mice. Triglyceride (TG) levels, the cholesterol content in the liver, liver histopathology, serum lipid profiles, serum β-hydroxybutyrate levels, fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) levels and the levels of relevant target genes were analysed. Results During early pregnancy, anabolism was found to play a major role in liver lipid deposition. In contrast, advanced pregnancy is an overall catabolic condition associated with both increased energy expenditure and reduced lipogenesis. Moreover, the accumulation of hepatic TG did not appear until P12, after the onset of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on P5. Then, catabolism was enhanced, and FGF21 secretion was increased in the livers of female mice in late pregnancy. We further found that the expression of sec23a, which as the coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicle coat proteins regulates the secretion of FGF21, in the liver was decreased on P19. Conclusion With the activation of ER stress and increased FGF21 secretion during pregnancy, the hepatic TG content changes, suggesting that ER stress and FGF21 may play an important role in balancing lipid homeostasis and meeting maternal and infant energy requirements in late pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 544, Jing 4 Rd., Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Gong
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Xinhong Wei
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenyu Yao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Experimental Animal Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Jinxing Xin
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 544, Jing 4 Rd., Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Scientific Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Shanshan Shao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 544, Jing 4 Rd., Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
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Liu XI, Momper JD, Rakhmanina N, van den Anker JN, Green DJ, Burckart GJ, Best BM, Mirochnick M, Capparelli EV, Dallmann A. Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Models to Predict Maternal Pharmacokinetics and Fetal Exposure to Emtricitabine and Acyclovir. J Clin Pharmacol 2019; 60:240-255. [PMID: 31489678 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes that may impact drug pharmacokinetics (PK). The goals of this study were to build maternal-fetal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for acyclovir and emtricitabine, 2 anti(retro)viral drugs with active renal net secretion, and to (1) evaluate the predicted maternal PK at different stages of pregnancy; (2) predict the changes in PK target parameters following the current dosing regimen of these drugs throughout pregnancy; (3) evaluate the predicted concentrations of these drugs in the umbilical vein at delivery; (4) compare the model performance for predicting maternal PK of emtricitabine in the third trimester with that of previously published PBPK models; and (5) compare different previously published approaches for estimating the placental permeability of these 2 drugs. Results showed that the pregnancy PBPK model for acyclovir predicted all maternal concentrations within a 2-fold error range, whereas the model for emtricitabine predicted 79% of the maternal concentrations values within that range. Extrapolation of these models to earlier stages of pregnancy indicated that the change in the median PK target parameters remained well above the target threshold. Concentrations of acyclovir and emtricitabine in the umbilical vein were overall adequately predicted. The comparison of different emtricitabine PBPK models suggested an overall similar predictive performance in the third trimester, but the comparison of different approaches for estimating placental drug permeability revealed large differences. These models can enhance the understanding of the PK behavior of renally excreted drugs, which may ultimately inform pharmacotherapeutic decision making in pregnant women and their fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei I Liu
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jeremiah D Momper
- University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Natella Rakhmanina
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.,Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, USA
| | - John N van den Anker
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.,Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Pediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics Research Center, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dionna J Green
- Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, Office of Medical Products and Tobacco, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Gilbert J Burckart
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Brookie M Best
- University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mark Mirochnick
- Boston University, School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edmund V Capparelli
- University of California, San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - André Dallmann
- Pediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics Research Center, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland.,Bayer AG, Clinical Pharmacometrics, Leverkusen, Germany
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4
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Hayashi Y, Ito Y, Naito H, Tamada H, Yamagishi N, Kondo T, Ishikawa T, Gonzalez FJ, Nakajima T. In utero exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate suppresses blood glucose and leptin levels in the offspring of wild-type mice. Toxicology 2019; 415:49-55. [PMID: 30660623 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of pregnant mice to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) induces maternal lipid malnutrition and decreases the number of live fetuses/pups. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between maternal lipid malnutrition and the nutritional status of the neonatal, lactational, and adult offspring, as well as the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) in these relationships. Sv/129 wild-type (mPPARA), Ppara-null, and PPARα-humanized (hPPARA) mice were fed diets containing 0, 0.01, 0.05, or 0.1% DEHP in utero and/or during the lactational stage. The male offspring were killed on postnatal day 2 or 21, or after 11 weeks. Exposure to either 0.05% or 0.1% DEHP during both the in utero and lactational periods decreased serum glucose concentrations in 2-day-old mPPARA offspring. These dosages also decreased both serum and plasma leptin levels in both 2- and 21-day-old mPPARA offspring. In contrast, exposure to DEHP only during the lactational period did not decrease leptin levels, suggesting the importance of in utero exposure to DEHP. Exposure to 0.05% DEHP during the in utero and lactational periods also increased food consumption after weaning in both mPPARA and hPPARA mice; this was not observed in Ppara-null offspring. In conclusion, in utero exposure to DEHP induces neonatal serum glucose malnutrition via PPARα. DEHP also decreases serum and plasma leptin concentrations in offspring during the neonatal and weaning periods, in association with PPARα, which presumably results in increased of food consumption after weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Hayashi
- Pathophysiological Laboratory Sciences, Department of Radiological and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, 461-8673, Japan; In vivo Real-time Omics Laboratory, Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
| | - Yuki Ito
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Hisao Naito
- Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Dengakugakubo 1-98, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan.
| | - Hazuki Tamada
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Yamagishi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Kondo
- Pathophysiological Laboratory Sciences, Department of Radiological and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, 461-8673, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Ishikawa
- Pathophysiological Laboratory Sciences, Department of Radiological and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, 461-8673, Japan.
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Tamie Nakajima
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 487-8501, Japan.
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5
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Hay SM, McArdle HJ, Hayes HE, Stevens VJ, Rees WD. The effect of iron deficiency on the temporal changes in the expression of genes associated with fat metabolism in the pregnant rat. Physiol Rep 2016; 4:4/21/e12908. [PMID: 27905292 PMCID: PMC5112487 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is essential for the oxidative metabolism of lipids. Lipid metabolism changes during gestation to meet the requirements of the growing fetus and to prepare for lactation. The temporal effects of iron deficiency during gestation were studied in female rats fed complete or iron‐deficient diets. Plasma triglycerides were elevated in the iron‐deficient group throughout gestation. There were time‐dependent changes in the triglyceride content of the maternal liver, falling at the midpoint of gestation and then increasing on d21.5. Compared to the control, triglycerides in the maternal liver were not different in the iron‐deficient group prior to pregnancy and on d12.5, but were markedly reduced by d21.5. The abundance of mRNAs in the maternal liver suggests that lipogenesis is unchanged and beta‐oxidation is reduced on d21.5 by iron deficiency. On d21.5 of gestation, the expression of placental lipase was unchanged by iron deficiency, however, the abundance of mRNAs for SREBP‐1c, FABP4 were reduced, suggesting that there were changes in fatty acid handling. In the fetal liver, iron deficiency produced a marked decrease in the abundance of the L‐CPT‐1 mRNA, suggesting that beta‐oxidation is reduced. This study shows that the major effect of iron deficiency on maternal lipid metabolism occurs late in gestation and that perturbed lipid metabolism may be a common feature of models of fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Hay
- The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, U.K
| | - Harry J McArdle
- The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, U.K
| | - Helen E Hayes
- The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, U.K
| | - Valerie J Stevens
- The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, U.K
| | - William D Rees
- The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, U.K.
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6
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Bright AS, Herrera-Garcia G, Moscovitz JE, You D, Guo GL, Aleksunes LM. Regulation of Drug Disposition Gene Expression in Pregnant Mice with Car Receptor Activation. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2016; 3. [PMID: 27818994 DOI: 10.11131/2016/101193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
More than half of pregnant women use prescription medications in order to maintain both maternal and fetal health. The constitutive androstane receptor (Car) critically affects the disposition of chemicals by regulating the transcription of genes encoding metabolic enzymes and transporters. However, the effects of Car activation on chemical disposition during pregnancy are unclear. This study aims to determine the degree to which pregnancy alters the expression of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters in response to the pharmacological activation of Car. To test this, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were administered IP doses of vehicle, or a potent Car agonist, TCPOBOP, on gestation days 14, 15 and 16. Hepatic mRNA and protein expression of Car target genes (phase I, II and transporters) were quantified on gestation day 17. Pregnancy-related changes, such as induction of Cyp2b10, Ugt1a1 and Sult1a1 and repression of Ugt1a6, Gsta1, Gsta2 and Mrp6, were observed. Interestingly, the induction of Cyp2b10, Gsta1, Gsta2 and Mrp2-4 mRNAs by TCPOBOP was attenuated in maternal livers suggesting that Car activation is impeded by the biochemical and/or physiological changes that occur during gestation. Taken together, these findings suggest that pregnancy and pharmacological activation of Car can differentially regulate the expression of drug metabolism and transport genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda S Bright
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Guadalupe Herrera-Garcia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Jamie E Moscovitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Dahea You
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Grace L Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Lauren M Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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7
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Emerging regulation and function of betatrophin. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:23640-57. [PMID: 25530616 PMCID: PMC4284785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151223640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Betatrophin, also known as TD26/RIFL/lipasin/ANGPTL8/C19orf80, is a novel protein predominantly expressed in human liver. To date, several betatrophin orthologs have been identified in mammals. Increasing evidence has revealed an association between betatrophin expression and serum lipid profiles, particularly in patients with obesity or diabetes. Stimulators of betatrophin, such as insulin, thyroid hormone, irisin and caloric intake, are usually relevant to energy expenditure or thermogenesis. In murine models, serum triglyceride levels as well as pancreatic cell proliferation are potently enhanced by betatrophin. Intriguingly, conflicting phenomena have also been reported that betatrophin suppresses hepatic triglyceride levels, suggesting that betatrophin function is mediated by complex regulatory processes. However, its precise physiological role remains unclear at present. In this review, we have summarized the current findings on betatrophin and their implications.
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8
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Anaya-Hernández A, Méndez-Tepepa M, Laura G. HA, Pacheco P, Martínez-Gómez M, Castelán F, Cuevas E. Farnesoid X receptor immunolocalization in reproductive tissues of adult female rabbits. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:1068-74. [PMID: 24975630 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been involved in lipid metabolism, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and aromatase expression, as well as in the steroid synthesis and signaling. Considering that these events occur in reproductive tissues in females, the aim of the present study was to determine the immunolocalization of FXR in the ovary, oviduct, uterus, and vagina of rabbits. Rabbits were sacrificed and their reproductive tissues were excised and histologically processed. Immunohistochemistry for FXR was done and reproductive tissues were photographed. FXR immunoreactivity was found in all types of ovarian follicles, ovarian stroma, and corpus luteum of virgin and pregnant rabbits. Also, oviductal and vaginal epithelium of virgins, as well as the oviductal smooth muscle, showed anti-FXR immunoreactivity. The uterine epithelium and musculature of virgins had scarce anti-FXR immunoreactivity. Although the role of FXR in female reproductive tissues is still not known, it is possible to consider various functions related to the reproductive tissue.
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9
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Koh KH, Pan X, Shen HW, Arnold SLM, Yu AM, Gonzalez FJ, Isoherranen N, Jeong H. Altered expression of small heterodimer partner governs cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 induction during pregnancy in CYP2D6-humanized mice. J Biol Chem 2013; 289:3105-13. [PMID: 24318876 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.526798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Substrates of a major drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6 display increased elimination during pregnancy, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown in part due to a lack of experimental models. Here, we introduce CYP2D6-humanized (Tg-CYP2D6) mice as an animal model where hepatic CYP2D6 expression is increased during pregnancy. In the mouse livers, expression of a known positive regulator of CYP2D6, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), did not change during pregnancy. However, HNF4α recruitment to CYP2D6 promoter increased at term pregnancy, accompanied by repressed expression of small heterodimer partner (SHP). In HepG2 cells, SHP repressed HNF4α transactivation of CYP2D6 promoter. In transgenic (Tg)-CYP2D6 mice, SHP knockdown led to a significant increase in CYP2D6 expression. Retinoic acid, an endogenous compound that induces SHP, exhibited decreased hepatic levels during pregnancy in Tg-CYP2D6 mice. Administration of all-trans-retinoic acid led to a significant decrease in the expression and activity of hepatic CYP2D6 in Tg-CYP2D6 mice. This study provides key insights into mechanisms underlying altered CYP2D6-mediated drug metabolism during pregnancy, laying a foundation for improved drug therapy in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwi Hye Koh
- From the Department of Pharmacy Practice and
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10
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Nakashima R, Hayashi Y, Md K, Jia X, Wang D, Naito H, Ito Y, Kamijima M, Gonzalez FJ, Nakajima T. Exposure to DEHP decreased four fatty acid levels in plasma of prepartum mice. Toxicology 2013; 309:52-60. [PMID: 23619606 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2013.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) decreased the plasma triglyceride in prepartum mice. To identify the fatty acid (FA) species involved and to understand the underlying mechanisms, pregnant Sv/129 wild-type (mPPARα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α-null (Pparα-null) and humanized PPARα (hPPARα) mice were treated with diets containing 0%, 0.01%, 0.05% or 0.1% DEHP. Dams were dissected on gestational day 18 together with fetuses, and on postnatal day 2 together with newborns. n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated, saturated, and monounsaturated FAs in maternal plasma and in liver of wild-type offspring, and representative enzymes for FA desaturation and elongation in maternal liver, were measured. The plasma levels of linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid were higher in the pregnant control mPPARa mice than in Ppara-null and hPPARa mice. DEHP exposure significantly decreased the levels of these four FAs only in pregnant mPPARα mice. Plasma levels of many FAs were higher in pregnant mice than in postpartum ones in a genotype-independent manner, while it was lower in the livers of fetuses than pups. DEHP exposure slightly increased hepatic arachidonic acid, α-linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid and oleic acid in fetuses, but not in pups. However, DEHP exposure did not clearly influence FA desaturase 1 and 2 nor elongase 2 and 5 expressions in the liver of all maternal mice. Taken together, the levels of plasma four FAs with shorter carbon chains were higher in pregnant mPPARα mice than in other genotypes, and DEHP exposure decreased these specific FA concentrations only in mPPARα mice, similarly to triglyceride levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Nakashima
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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11
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Zou Y, Hu M, Bao Q, Chan JY, Dai G. Nrf2 participates in regulating maternal hepatic adaptations to pregnancy. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:1618-25. [PMID: 23418358 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.118109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy induces widespread adaptive responses in maternal organ systems including the liver. The maternal liver exhibits significant growth by increasing the number and size of hepatocytes, by largely unknown mechanisms. Nrf2 mediates cellular defense against oxidative stress and inflammation and also regulates liver regeneration. To determine whether Nrf2 is involved in the regulation of maternal hepatic adaptations to pregnancy, we assessed the proliferation and size of maternal hepatocytes and the associated molecular events in wild-type and Nrf2-null mice at various stages of gestation. We found that wild-type maternal hepatocytes underwent proliferation and size reduction during the first half, and size increase without overt replication during the second half, of pregnancy. Although pregnancy decreased Nrf2 activity in the maternal liver, Nrf2 deficiency caused a delay in maternal hepatocyte proliferation, concomitant with dysregulation of the activation of Cyclin D1, E1, and, more significantly, A2. Remarkably, as a result of Nrf2 absence, the maternal hepatocytes were largely prevented from reducing their sizes during the first half of pregnancy, which was associated with an increase in mTOR activation. During the second half of pregnancy, maternal hepatocytes of both genotypes showed continuous volume increase accompanied by persistent activation of mTOR. However, the lack of Nrf2 resulted in dysregulation of the activation of the mTOR upstream regulator AKT1 and the mTOR target p70SK6 and thus disruption of the AKT1/mTOR/p70S6K pathway, which is known to control cell size. This suggests an mTOR-dependent and AKT1- and p70S6K-independent compensatory mechanism when Nrf2 is deficient. In summary, our study demonstrates that Nrf2 is required for normal maternal hepatic adjustments to pregnancy by ensuring proper regulation of the number and size of maternal hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Zou
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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12
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Aleksunes LM, Xu J, Lin E, Wen X, Goedken MJ, Slitt AL. Pregnancy represses induction of efflux transporters in livers of type I diabetic mice. Pharm Res 2013; 30:2209-20. [PMID: 23319174 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-013-0981-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether down-regulation of transcription factor signaling during pregnancy disrupts the induction of efflux transporters in type I diabetic mice. METHODS Type I diabetes was induced in female C57BL/6 mice with multiple low dose intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ) at least 2 weeks prior to mating with normoglycemic male mice. On gestation day 14, livers were collected from vehicle- and STZ-treated non-pregnant and pregnant mice for quantification of efflux transporter and transcription factor signaling. RESULTS STZ treatment up-regulated expression of Mrp1-5, Mdr1, Abcg5, Abcg8, Bcrp, and Bsep mRNA and/or protein in the livers of non-pregnant mice. Interestingly, little to no change in transporter expression was observed in STZ-treated pregnant mice compared to vehicle- and STZ-treated non-pregnant mice. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the opposing regulation of hepatobiliary efflux transporters in response to diabetes and pregnancy and points to PPARγ, Nrf2, and FXR as candidate pathways underlying the differential expression of transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
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13
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Wen X, Donepudi AC, Thomas PE, Slitt AL, King RS, Aleksunes LM. Regulation of hepatic phase II metabolism in pregnant mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 344:244-52. [PMID: 23055538 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.112.199034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase II enzymes, including Ugts, Sults, and Gsts, are critical for the disposition and detoxification of endo- and xenobiotics. In this study, the mRNA and protein expression of major phase II enzymes, as well as key regulatory transcription factors, were quantified in livers of time-matched pregnant and virgin control C57BL/6 mice on gestation days (GD) 7, 11, 14, 17, and postnatal days (PND) 1, 15, and 30. Compared with virgin controls, the mRNA expression of Ugt1a1, 1a6, 1a9, 2a3, 2b1, 2b34, and 2b35 decreased 40 to 80% in pregnant dams. Protein expression of Ugt1a6 also decreased and corresponded with reduced in vitro glucuronidation of bisphenol A in S9 fractions from livers of pregnant mice. Similar to Ugts levels, Gsta1 and a4 mRNAs were reduced in pregnant dams in mid to late gestation; however no change in protein expression was observed. Conversely, Sult1a1, 2a1/2, and 3a1 mRNAs increased 100 to 500% at various time points in pregnant and lactating mice and corresponded with enhanced in vitro sulfation of acetaminophen in liver S9 fractions. Coinciding with maximal decreases in Ugts as well as increases in Sults, the expression of transcription factors CAR, PPARα, and PXR and their target genes were downregulated, whereas ERα mRNA was upregulated. Collectively, these data demonstrate altered regulation of hepatic phase II metabolism in mice during pregnancy and suggest that CAR, PPARα, PXR, and ERα signaling pathways may be candidate signaling pathways responsible for these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wen
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd. Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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14
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Aleksunes LM, Yeager RL, Wen X, Cui JY, Klaassen CD. Repression of hepatobiliary transporters and differential regulation of classic and alternative bile acid pathways in mice during pregnancy. Toxicol Sci 2012; 130:257-68. [PMID: 22903823 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, proper hepatobiliary transport and bile acid synthesis protect the liver from cholestatic injury and regulate the maternal and fetal exposure to bile acids, drugs, and environmental chemicals. The objective of this study was to determine the temporal messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein profiles of uptake and efflux transporters as well as bile acid synthetic and conjugating enzymes in livers from virgin and pregnant mice on gestational days (GD) 7, 11, 14, and 17 and postnatal days (PND) 1, 15, and 30. Compared with virgins, the mRNAs of most transporters were reduced approximately 50% in pregnant dams between GD11 and 17. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the downregulation of Mrp3, 6, Bsep, and Ntcp proteins. One day after parturition, the mRNAs of many uptake and efflux hepatobiliary transporters remained low in pregnant mice. By PND30, the mRNAs of all transporters returned to virgin levels. mRNAs of the bile acid synthetic enzymes in the classic pathway, Cyp7a1 and 8b1, increased in pregnant mice, whereas mRNA and protein expression of enzymes in the alternative pathway of bile acid synthesis (Cyp27a1 and 39a1) and conjugating enzymes (Bal and Baat) decreased. Profiles of transporter and bile acid metabolism genes likely result from coordinated downregulation of transcription factor mRNA (CAR, LXR, PXR, PPARα, FXR) in pregnant mice on GD14 and 17. In conclusion, pregnancy caused a global downregulation of most hepatic transporters, which began as early as GD7 for some genes and was maximal by GD14 and 17, and was inversely related to increasing concentrations of circulating 17β-estradiol and progesterone as pregnancy progressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
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15
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Dai G, Bustamante JJ, Zou Y, Myronovych A, Bao Q, Kumar S, Soares MJ. Maternal hepatic growth response to pregnancy in the mouse. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2011; 236:1322-32. [PMID: 21969712 DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2011.011076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is characterized by physiological adjustments in the maternal compartment. In this investigation, the influence of pregnancy on maternal liver was examined in CD-1 mice. Dramatic changes were observed in the size of the maternal liver during pregnancy. Livers doubled in weight from the non-pregnant state to day 18 of pregnancy. The pregnancy-induced hepatomegaly was a physiological event of liver growth confirmed by DNA content increase and detection of hepatocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Growth of the liver was initiated following implantation and peaked at parturition. The expression and/or activities of key genes known to regulate liver regeneration, a phenomenon of liver growth compensatory to liver mass loss, were investigated. The results showed that pregnancy-dependent liver growth was associated with interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor α, c-Jun and IL-1β, but independent of hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 1, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, constitutive androstane receptor and pregnane X receptor. Furthermore, maternal liver growth was associated with the activation of hepatic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, β-catenin and epidermal growth factor receptor, but pregnancy did not activate hepatic c-Met. The findings suggest that the molecular mechanisms regulating pregnancy-induced liver growth and injury-induced liver regeneration exhibit overlapping features but are not identical. In summary, the liver of the mouse adapts to the demands of pregnancy via a dramatic growth response driven by hepatocyte proliferation and size increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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16
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Faustino LC, Pires RM, Lima AC, Cordeiro A, Souza LL, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Liver glutathione S-transferase α expression is decreased by 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine in hypothyroid but not in euthyroid mice. Exp Physiol 2011; 96:790-800. [DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2011.058172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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17
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Kennedy RL, Malabu UH, Jarrod G, Nigam P, Kannan K, Rane A. Thyroid function and pregnancy: before, during and beyond. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2011; 30:774-83. [PMID: 21126112 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2010.517331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid disturbances are common in women during the reproductive years of their lives. Autoimmunity and altered iodine status together account for a high proportion of the abnormalities. Autoimmune thyroid disease is present in around 4% of young females, and up to 15% are at risk because they are thyroid antibody-positive. There is a strong relationship between thyroid immunity on the one hand and infertility, miscarriage, and thyroid disturbances in pregnancy and postpartum on the other hand. Suboptimal iodine status affects a large proportion of the world's population, and pregnancy further depletes iodine stores. There is controversy surrounding the degree to which iodine should be supplemented and the duration of supplementation. Recent studies have helped to clarify the relationship between maternal thyroid status and neuropsychological development of the child. The role of other environmental factors including smoking and selenium status is also now recognised. Universal screening for thyroid hormone abnormalities is not routinely recommended at present. However, measurement of thyroid function and autoantibodies should certainly be considered in those who are at high risk of thyroid disease and in those whose pregnancy is otherwise high risk. The practicing clinician needs to be aware of the thyroid changes which accompany pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Kennedy
- James Cook University School of Medicine, Queensland, Australia.
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18
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Hayashi Y, Ito Y, Yamagishi N, Yanagiba Y, Tamada H, Wang D, Ramdhan DH, Naito H, Harada Y, Kamijima M, Gonzales FJ, Nakajima T. Hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α may have an important role in the toxic effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on offspring of mice. Toxicology 2011; 289:1-10. [PMID: 21354252 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2011.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is associated with adverse effects on offspring, and the metabolites are agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α, which exhibits species differences in expression and function. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism of DEHP-induced adverse effects on offspring in relation to maternal mouse and human PPARα. Male and female Sv/129 wild-type (mPPARα), Pparα-null and humanized PPARα (hPPARα) mice were treated with diets containing 0%, 0.01%, 0.05% (medium) or 0.1% (high) DEHP. After 4 weeks, males and females were mated. Dams were killed on gestational day 18 and postnatal day (PND) 2. High-dose DEHP decreased the number of total and live fetuses, and increased resorptions in mPPARα mice. In hPPARα mice, resorptions were increased above the medium dose, and the number of births was decreased at the high dose. The number of live pups on PND2 was decreased over the medium dose in mPPARα and at the high dose in hPPARα mice. No such findings were observed in Pparα-null mice. High-dose DEHP decreased plasma triglyceride in pregnant mPPARα mice, but not in Pparα-null and hPPARα ones. Above the medium dose in mPPARα mice significantly reduced hepatic microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) expression. Medium- and/or high-dose DEHP increased the levels of maternal PPARα target genes in mPPARα and hPPARα mice. Taken together, PPARα expression is required for the toxicity of DEHP in fetuses and pups and altered plasma triglyceride levels, through regulation of MTP may be important in mPPARα mice and not in hPPARα mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Hayashi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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19
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Papacleovoulou G, Abu-Hayyeh S, Williamson C. Nuclear receptor-driven alterations in bile acid and lipid metabolic pathways during gestation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2010; 1812:879-87. [PMID: 21073948 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Revised: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor signalling is essential for physiological processes such as metabolism, development, and reproduction. Alterations in the endocrine state that naturally occur during pregnancy result in maternal adaptations to support the feto-placental unit. A series of studies have shown that nuclear receptor signalling is involved in maternal adaptations of bile acid, cholesterol, and lipid homeostasis pathways to ensure maintenance of the nutritional demands of the fetus. We discuss regulation of hepatic nuclear receptors and their target genes in pregnancy and their impact on the development of disorders such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and oestrogen-induced hepatotoxicity. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translating nuclear receptors from health to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Papacleovoulou
- Imperial College London, Maternal and Fetal Disease Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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20
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Milona A, Owen BM, Cobbold JFL, Willemsen ECL, Cox IJ, Boudjelal M, Cairns W, Schoonjans K, Taylor-Robinson SD, Klomp LWJ, Parker MG, White R, van Mil SWC, Williamson C. Raised hepatic bile acid concentrations during pregnancy in mice are associated with reduced farnesoid X receptor function. Hepatology 2010; 52:1341-9. [PMID: 20842631 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pregnancy alters bile acid homeostasis and can unmask cholestatic disease in genetically predisposed but otherwise asymptomatic individuals. In this report, we show that normal pregnant mice have raised hepatic bile acid levels in the presence of procholestatic gene expression. The nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates the transcription of the majority of these genes, and we show that both ablation and activation of Fxr prevent the accumulation of hepatic bile acids during pregnancy. These observations suggest that the function of Fxr may be perturbed during gestation. In subsequent in vitro experiments, serum from pregnant mice and humans was found to repress expression of the Fxr target gene, small heterodimer partner (Shp), in liver-derived Fao cells. Estradiol or estradiol metabolites may contribute to this effect because coincubation with the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist fulvestrant (ICI 182780) abolished the repressive effects on Shp expression. Finally, we report that ERα interacts with FXR in an estradiol-dependent manner and represses its function in vitro. CONCLUSION Ligand-activated ERα may inhibit FXR function during pregnancy and result in procholestatic gene expression and raised hepatic bile acid levels. We propose that this could cause intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in genetically predisposed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Milona
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
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21
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal metabolic demands change dramatically during the course of gestation and must be co-ordinated with the needs of the developing placenta and fetus. The liver is critically involved in metabolism and other important functions. However, maternal hepatic adjustments to pregnancy are poorly understood. AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate the influences of pregnancy on the maternal liver growth and gene expression profile. METHODS Holtzman Sprague-Dawley rats were mated and sacrificed at various stages of gestation and post-partum. The maternal livers were analysed in gravimetric response, DNA content by PicoGreen dsDNA quantitation reagent, hepatocyte ploidy by flow cytometry and hepatocyte proliferation by ki-67 immunostaining. Gene expression profiling of non-pregnant and gestation d18.5 maternal hepatic tissue was analysed using a DNA microarray approach and partially verified by northern blot or quantitative real-time PCR analysis. RESULTS During pregnancy, the liver exhibited approximately an 80% increase in size, proportional to the increase in body weight of the pregnant animals. The pregnancy-induced hepatomegaly was a physiological event of liver growth manifested by increases in maternal hepatic DNA content and hepatocyte proliferation. Pregnancy did not affect hepatocyte polyploidization. Pregnancy-dependent changes in hepatic expression were noted for a number of genes, including those associated with cell proliferation, cytokine signalling, liver regeneration and metabolism. CONCLUSIONS The metabolic demands of pregnancy cause marked adjustments in maternal liver physiology. Central to these adjustments are an expansion in hepatic capacity and changes in hepatic gene expression. Our findings provide insights into pregnancy-dependent hepatic adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Bustamante
- Institute of Maternal-Fetal Biology, Division of Cancer & Developmental Biology, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Bryan L. Copple
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute of Maternal-Fetal Biology, Division of Cancer & Developmental Biology, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Guoli Dai
- Institute of Maternal-Fetal Biology, Division of Cancer & Developmental Biology, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
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22
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Marin JJG, Macias RIR, Briz O, Perez MJ, Blazquez AG, Arrese M, Serrano MA. Molecular bases of the fetal liver-placenta-maternal liver excretory pathway for cholephilic compounds. Liver Int 2008; 28:435-54. [PMID: 18339071 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01680.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Potentially toxic endogenous compounds, such as bile acids (BAs) and biliary pigments, as well as many xenobiotics, such as drugs and food components, are biotransformed and eliminated by the hepatobiliary system with the collaboration of the kidney. However, the situation is very different during pregnancy because the fetal liver produces biliary compounds despite the fact that this organ, owing to its immaturity, is not able to eliminate them into bile. Moreover, the excretory ability of the fetal kidneys is also very limited. Thus, during the intra-uterine life, the major route to eliminate fetal BAs and biliary pigments is their transfer to the mother across the placenta. The maternal liver and, to a lesser extent, the maternal kidney, are then in charge of their biotransformation and elimination into faeces and urine respectively. This review describes current knowledge of the machinery responsible for the detoxification and excretion of cholephilic compounds through the pathway formed by the fetal liver-placenta-maternal liver trio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM), CIBERehd, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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23
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Venniyoor A. Cholesterol gallstones and cancer of gallbladder (CAGB): molecular links. Med Hypotheses 2007; 70:646-53. [PMID: 17855001 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2007.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2007] [Accepted: 06/19/2007] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
There is a known association between cholesterol gallstones and cancer of gall bladder (CAGB). However, the exact relation is not clear. It is proposed they are linked at molecular level by the activity of the orphan nuclear receptors (ONRs) and ABC transporter pumps involved in cholesterol and xenobiotic efflux from the liver into bile. There is evidence that these two pathways are closely interlinked and influence each other. Genetic and environmental factors that upregulate these systems can lead to the simultaneous pumping of cholesterol (which precipitate as gallstones) and a food carcinogen into the bile in gall bladder; the latter causes malignant transformation. Aflatoxin B, a potent hepatocarcinogen, could be the culprit in endemic regions such as South America and North India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Venniyoor
- Department of Medicine and Medical Oncology, INHS Asvini, Near RC Church, Colaba, Mumbai Bombay, Maharastra 400 005, India.
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Marseille-Tremblay C, Gravel A, Lafond J, Mounier C. Effect of an enriched cholesterol diet during gestation on fatty acid synthase, HMG-CoA reductase and SREBP-1/2 expressions in rabbits. Life Sci 2007; 81:772-8. [PMID: 17707438 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2007] [Revised: 07/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in humans. These changes take place to support fetal growth and development, and modifications of these maternal concentrations may influence lipids and cholesterol synthesis in the dam, fetus and placenta. Administration of a 0.2% enriched cholesterol diet (ECD) during rabbit gestation significantly increased cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels in maternal livers and decreased fetal weight by 15%. Here we used Western blot analysis to examine the impact of gestation and 0.2% ECD on the expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS), HMGR and SREBP-1/2, which are involved in either lipid or cholesterol synthesis. We confirmed that gestation modifies the hepatic and circulating lipid profile in the mother. Our data also suggest that the maternal liver mainly supports lipogenesis, while the placenta plays a key role in cholesterol synthesis. Thus, our data demonstrate a decrease in HMGR protein levels in dam livers by feeding an ECD. In the placenta, SREBPs are highly expressed, and the ECD supplementation increased nuclear SREBP-1/2 protein levels. In addition, our results show a decrease in FAS protein levels in non-pregnant liver and in the liver of offspring from ECD-treated animals. Finally, our data suggest that the placenta does not modify its own cholesterol synthesis in response to an increase in circulating cholesterol. However, the dam liver compensates for this increase by essentially decreasing the level of HMGR expression. Because HMGR and FAS expressions do not correlate with the circulating lipid profile, it would be interesting to find which genes are then targeted by SREBP-1/2 during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Marseille-Tremblay
- Laboratoire de Physiologie materno-foetale, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3P8
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25
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Van Mil SWC, Milona A, Dixon PH, Mullenbach R, Geenes VL, Chambers J, Shevchuk V, Moore GE, Lammert F, Glantz AG, Mattsson LA, Whittaker J, Parker MG, White R, Williamson C. Functional variants of the central bile acid sensor FXR identified in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Gastroenterology 2007; 133:507-16. [PMID: 17681172 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2006] [Accepted: 05/03/2007] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterized by liver impairment, pruritus, and elevated maternal serum bile acids. It can cause premature delivery and intrauterine death. Bile acid synthesis, metabolism, and transport are regulated by the bile acid sensor FXR, and we hypothesized that genetic variation in FXR confers susceptibility to ICP. METHODS The coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of FXR were sequenced in 92 British ICP cases of mixed ethnicity. Subsequently, a case-control study of allele frequencies of these variants in 2 independent cohorts of Caucasian ICP patients and controls was performed. Variants were cloned into an FXR expression plasmid and tested in functional assays. RESULTS We identified 4 novel heterozygous FXR variants (-1g>t, M1V, W80R, M173T) in ICP. W80R was not present in Caucasians and M1V was detected uniquely in 1 British case. M173T and -1g>t occur both in Caucasian cases and controls, and we found a significant association of M173T with ICP (OR, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-11.2; P = .02) when the allele frequencies of both Caucasian cohorts were analyzed together. We demonstrate functional defects in either translation efficiency or activity for 3 of the 4 variants (-1g>t, M1V, M173T). CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of functional variants in FXR. We propose that these variants may predispose to ICP, and because FXR has a central role in regulating bile and lipid homeostasis they may be associated with other cholestatic and dyslipidemic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia W C Van Mil
- Maternal and Fetal Disease Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, England
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Loor JJ, Dann HM, Guretzky NAJ, Everts RE, Oliveira R, Green CA, Litherland NB, Rodriguez-Zas SL, Lewin HA, Drackley JK. Plane of nutrition prepartum alters hepatic gene expression and function in dairy cows as assessed by longitudinal transcript and metabolic profiling. Physiol Genomics 2006; 27:29-41. [PMID: 16757553 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00036.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver metabolism and health in dairy cows during the periparturient period are affected by plane of nutrition prepartum. Long-term adaptations in hepatic gene expression are important for complete understanding of liver function. We examined temporal gene expression profiles during the dry period and early lactation in liver of Holstein cows fed moderate dietary energy ad libitum or restricted during the entire dry period using a microarray consisting of 7,872 annotated cattle cDNA inserts and quantitative RT-PCR. We identified 85 genes with expression patterns that were affected by level of energy intake prepartum over time. Restricted energy intake prepartum resulted in more pronounced upregulation of genes with key functions in hepatic fatty acid oxidation ( CPT1A, ADIPOR2), gluconeogenesis ( PC), and cholesterol synthesis ( SC4MOL). Ad libitum feeding upregulated a number of genes associated with liver triacylglycerol synthesis ( DGAT1) and proinflammatory cytokines ( TNFAIP3). Genomic responses to ad libitum feeding were accompanied by increased incorporation of palmitate to esterified products in vitro and increased liver triacylglycerol concentration in vivo. Overall, gene expression profiles due to plane of nutrition prepartum partly explained differences in rates of liver palmitate metabolism, blood serum metabolite concentrations, and liver tissue triacylglycerol concentration. Our data show that moderate overfeeding of energy in the dry period, in the absence of obesity, results in transcriptional changes predisposing cows to fatty liver and perhaps compromising overall liver health during the periparturient period. In this context, controlled energy intake may confer an advantage to the cow by triggering hepatic molecular adaptations well ahead of parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Loor
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
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