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Zhao Z, Liu S, Qian B, Zhou L, Shi J, Liu J, Xu L, Yang Z. CMKLR1 senses chemerin/resolvin E1 to control adipose thermogenesis and modulate metabolic homeostasis. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 4:575-588. [PMID: 38933207 PMCID: PMC11197767 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of beige fat for thermogenesis is a potential therapy to improve homeostasis against obesity. β3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR), a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is believed to mediate the thermogenesis of brown fat in mice. However, β3-AR has low expression in human adipose tissue, precluding its activation as a standalone clinical modality. This study aimed at identifying a potential GPCR target to induce beige fat. We found that chemerin chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), one of the novel GPCRs, mediated the development of beige fat via its two ligands, chemerin and resolvin E1 (RvE1). The RvE1 levels were decreased in the obese mice, and RvE1 treatment led to a substantial improvement in obese features and augmented beige fat markers. Inversely, despite sharing the same receptor as RvE1, the chemerin levels were increased in obesogenic conditions, and chemerin treatment led to an augmented obese phenotype and a decline of beige fat markers. Moreover, RvE1 and chemerin induced or restrained the development of beige fat, respectively, via the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. We further showed that RvE1 and chemerin regulated mTORC1 signaling differentially by forming hydrogen bonds with different binding sites of CMKLR1. In conclusion, our study showed that RvE1 and chemerin affected metabolic homeostasis differentially, suggesting that selectively modulating CMKLR1 may be a potential therapeutic target for restoring metabolic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewei Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Siqi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Bingxiu Qian
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jianglin Shi
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Junxi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Zhonghan Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
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2
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Xu Y, Zhu H, Li W, Chen D, Xu Y, Xu A, Ye D. Targeting adipokines in polycystic ovary syndrome and related metabolic disorders: from experimental insights to clinical studies. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108284. [PMID: 36162728 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 15% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is the most prevalent endocrine disorder with marked risks for female infertility, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), psychiatric disorders and gynecological cancers. Although the pathophysiology of PCOS remains largely elusive, growing evidence suggests a close link with obesity and its related metabolic disorders. As a highly active endocrine cell population, hypertrophic adipocytes in obesity have disturbed production of a vast array of adipokines, biologically active peptides that exert pleiotropic effects on homeostatic regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. In parallel with their crucial roles in the pathophysiology of obesity-induced metabolic diseases, adipokines have recently been identified as promising targets for novel therapeutic strategies for multiple diseases. Current treatments for PCOS are suboptimal with insufficient alleviation of all symptoms. Novel findings in adipokine-targeted agents may provide important insight into the development of new drugs for PCOS. This Review presents an overview of the current understanding of mechanisms that link PCOS to obesity and highlights emerging evidence of adipose-ovary crosstalk as a pivotal mediator of PCOS pathogenesis. We summarize recent findings of preclinical and clinical studies that reveal the therapeutic potential of adipokine-targeted novel approaches to PCOS and its related metabolic disorders. We also discuss the critical gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed to guide the development of adipokine-based novel therapies for PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Metabolic Disease Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Phenotyping in Model Animals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiqiu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Metabolic Disease Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Phenotyping in Model Animals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Metabolic Disease Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Phenotyping in Model Animals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danxia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Metabolic Disease Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Phenotyping in Model Animals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Dewei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Metabolic Disease Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Phenotyping in Model Animals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.
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3
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Huang B, Jin L, Zhang L, Cui X, Zhang Z, Lu Y, Yu L, Ma T, Zhang H. Aquaporin-8 transports hydrogen peroxide to regulate granulosa cell autophagy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:897666. [PMID: 36081911 PMCID: PMC9445271 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.897666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin-8 (AQP8), a member of the aquaporin family, is strongly expressed in follicular granulosa cells, which could affect the hormone secretion level in females. AQP8, as a membrane protein, could mediate H2O2 into cells, thereby triggering various biological events. The deficiency of Aqp8 increases female fertility, resulting from the decrease in follicular atresia. The low cell death rate is related to the apoptosis of granulosa cells. However, the mechanism by which AQP8 regulates the autophagy of granulosa cells remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the effect of AQP8 on autophagy in follicular atresia. We found that the expression of the autophagy marker light-chain protein 3 was significantly downregulated in the granulosa cells of Aqp8-knockout (Aqp8−/−) mice, compared with wild-type (Aqp8+/+) mice. Immunofluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopic examination indicated that the number of autophagosomes in the granulosa cells of Aqp8−/− mice decreased. Using a follicular granulosa cell autophagy model, namely a follicular atresia model, we verified that the concentration of H2O2 significantly increased during the autophagy of granulosa cells, consistent with the Aqp8 mRNA level. Intracellular H2O2 accumulation was modulated by endogenous AQP8 expression level, indicating that AQP8-mediated H2O2 was involved in the autophagy of granulosa cells. AQP8 deficiency impaired the elevation of H2O2 concentration through phosphorylated tyrosine activation. In addition, we carried out the analysis of transcriptome sequencing datasets in the ovary and found there were obvious differences in principal components, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and KEGG pathways, which might be involved in AQP8-regulated follicular atresia. Taken together, these findings indicated that AQP8-mediated H2O2 transport could mediate the autophagy of granulosa cells. AQP8 might be a potential target for diseases related to ovarian insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lingling Jin
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Luodan Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaolin Cui
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yongqi Lu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lujia Yu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tonghui Ma
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: He Zhang,
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Yu M, Yang Y, Huang C, Ge L, Xue L, Xiao Z, Xiao T, Zhao H, Ren P, Zhang JV. Chemerin: A Functional Adipokine in Reproductive Health and Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081910. [PMID: 36009457 PMCID: PMC9406010 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As a multifaceted adipokine, chemerin has been found to perform functions vital for immunity, adiposity, and metabolism through its three known receptors (chemokine-like receptor 1, CMKLR1; G-protein-coupled receptor 1, GPR1; C-C motif chemokine receptor-like 2, CCRL2). Chemerin and the cognate receptors are also expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testis, ovary, and placenta. Accumulating studies suggest that chemerin participates in normal reproduction and underlies the pathological mechanisms of certain reproductive system diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), preeclampsia, and breast cancer. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of the roles of the chemerin system in multiple reproductive processes and human reproductive diseases, with a brief discussion and perspectives on future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yu
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yali Yang
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chen Huang
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lei Ge
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Li Xue
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhonglin Xiao
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianxia Xiao
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huashan Zhao
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peigen Ren
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jian V. Zhang
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Correspondence:
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5
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Dufau J, Shen JX, Couchet M, De Castro Barbosa T, Mejhert N, Massier L, Griseti E, Mouisel E, Amri EZ, Lauschke VM, Rydén M, Langin D. In vitro and ex vivo models of adipocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C822-C841. [PMID: 33439778 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00519.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adipocytes are specialized cells with pleiotropic roles in physiology and pathology. Several types of fat cells with distinct metabolic properties coexist in various anatomically defined fat depots in mammals. White, beige, and brown adipocytes differ in their handling of lipids and thermogenic capacity, promoting differences in size and morphology. Moreover, adipocytes release lipids and proteins with paracrine and endocrine functions. The intrinsic properties of adipocytes pose specific challenges in culture. Mature adipocytes float in suspension culture due to high triacylglycerol content and are fragile. Moreover, a fully differentiated state, notably acquirement of the unilocular lipid droplet of white adipocyte, has so far not been reached in two-dimensional culture. Cultures of mouse and human-differentiated preadipocyte cell lines and primary cells have been established to mimic white, beige, and brown adipocytes. Here, we survey various models of differentiated preadipocyte cells and primary mature adipocyte survival describing main characteristics, culture conditions, advantages, and limitations. An important development is the advent of three-dimensional culture, notably of adipose spheroids that recapitulate in vivo adipocyte function and morphology in fat depots. Challenges for the future include isolation and culture of adipose-derived stem cells from different anatomic location in animal models and humans differing in sex, age, fat mass, and pathophysiological conditions. Further understanding of fat cell physiology and dysfunction will be achieved through genetic manipulation, notably CRISPR-mediated gene editing. Capturing adipocyte heterogeneity at the single-cell level within a single fat depot will be key to understanding diversities in cardiometabolic parameters among lean and obese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Dufau
- Inserm, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR1297, Toulouse, France.,Faculté de Médecine, I2MC, UMR1297, Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Joanne X Shen
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Morgane Couchet
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine (H7), Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Niklas Mejhert
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine (H7), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lucas Massier
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine (H7), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Griseti
- Inserm, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR1297, Toulouse, France.,Faculté de Médecine, I2MC, UMR1297, Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Etienne Mouisel
- Inserm, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR1297, Toulouse, France.,Faculté de Médecine, I2MC, UMR1297, Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Volker M Lauschke
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Rydén
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine (H7), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dominique Langin
- Inserm, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR1297, Toulouse, France.,Faculté de Médecine, I2MC, UMR1297, Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Toulouse University Hospitals, Department of Biochemistry, Toulouse, France
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6
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Ye W, Xie T, Song Y, Zhou L. The role of androgen and its related signals in PCOS. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:1825-1837. [PMID: 33369146 PMCID: PMC7882969 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women at reproductive age. However, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms have not been completely understood. Hyperandrogenism is an important clinic feature in patients with PCOS, suggesting its pathologic role in the development and progression of PCOS. However, the actual role of androgen and the related signals in PCOS and PCOS-related complications have not yet been clarified. In this review, we surveyed the origin and effects of androgen on PCOS and the related complications, highlighted the cellular signals affecting androgen synthesis and summarized the pathological processes caused by hyperandrogenism. Our review well reveals the important mechanisms referring the pathogenesis of PCOS and provides important clues to the clinic strategies in patients with PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Ye
- Division of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Xie
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yali Song
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Zhou
- Division of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
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7
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Li T, Zhang T, Cui T, Yang Y, Liu R, Chen Y, Yin C. Involvement of endogenous testosterone in hepatic steatosis in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 204:105752. [PMID: 32991990 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is higher in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) than that in healthy women. This association can be explained in part by the resistance to insulin and the prevalence of obesity, which are fueled by high androgen levels. However, there is little evidence of the involvement of endogenous testosterone in hepatic steatosis in women with PCOS. Here, we treated Sprague Dawley rats with the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, to increase the endogenous testosterone level and to decrease the estradiol levels. We also quantified the testosterone levels in human serum specimens and HepG2 cells to investigate the effects of androgens on hepatic steatosis and liver dysfunction. RESULTS Twenty-nine PCOS patients and twenty healthy women were enrolled. Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were increased in women with PCOS, and a strong correlation between testosterone and AST levels was observed. After letrozole treatment for 90 days, rats were significantly more obese, with animals developing hepatic steatosis and moderate insulin resistance. Additional experiments revealed that excess androgen inhibited the AMP-activated protein kinase alpha pathway in letrozole-treated livers and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated HepG2 cells, thereby causing steatosis. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION Our results show that an elevated endogenous testosterone level can induce hepatic steatosis. Decreasing the endogenous testosterone level in hepatocytes may represent a new approach in the treatment of NAFLD in PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhe Li
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Tianyu Cui
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Yuxi Yang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Ruixia Liu
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China.
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China.
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