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Wang J, Wang D, Lu S, Hu Y, Ge Y, Qin X, Mo Y, Kan J, Li D, Zhang R, Liu Y, Zhang WS. Ceramide enhanced the hepatic glucagon response through regulation of CREB activity. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:366-378. [PMID: 38142481 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hyperglycemia is associated with lipid disorders in patients with diabetes. Ceramides are metabolites involved in sphingolipid metabolism that accumulate during lipid disorders and exert deleterious effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the effects of ceramide on glucagon-mediated hepatic gluconeogenesis remain largely unknown. This study was designed to investigate the impact of ceramides on gluconeogenesis in the context of the hepatic glucagon response, with the aim of finding new pharmacological interventions for hyperglycemia in diabetes. METHODS Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantify ceramide content in the serum of patients with diabetes. Primary hepatocytes were isolated from male C57BL/6J mice to study the effects of ceramide on hepatic glucose production. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to view cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)- regulated transcription co-activator 2 (CRTC2) nuclear translocation in hepatocytes. Serine palmitoyl-transferase, long chain base subunit 2 (Sptlc2) knockdown mice were generated using an adeno-associated virus containing shRNA, and hepatic glucose production was assessed glucagon tolerance and pyruvate tolerance tests in mice fed a normal chow diet and high-fat diet. RESULTS Increased ceramide levels were observed in the serum of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. De novo ceramide synthesis was activated in mice with metabolic disorders. Ceramide enhanced hepatic glucose production in primary hepatocytes. In contrast, genetic silencing of Sptlc2 prevented this process. Mechanistically, ceramides de-phosphorylate CRTC2 (Ser 171) and facilitate its translocation into the nucleus for CREB activation, thereby augmenting the hepatic glucagon response. Hepatic Sptlc2 silencing blocked ceramide generation in the liver and thus restrained the hepatic glucagon response in mice fed a normal chow diet and high-fat diet. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that ceramide serves as an intracellular messenger that augments hepatic glucose production by regulating CRTC2/CREB activity in the context of the hepatic glucagon response, suggesting that CRTC2 phosphorylation might be a potential node for pharmacological interventions to restrain the hyperglycemic response during fasting in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizheng Wang
- Department of the Core Facility, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of the Core Facility, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Maternity and Child Dept, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yifang Hu
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yaoqi Ge
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Qin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yanfei Mo
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Jingbao Kan
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Rihua Zhang
- Department of the Core Facility, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.
| | - Wen-Song Zhang
- Department of the Core Facility, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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Yildirim V, Sheraton VM, Brands R, Crielaard L, Quax R, van Riel NA, Stronks K, Nicolaou M, Sloot PM. A data-driven computational model for obesity-driven diabetes onset and remission through weight loss. iScience 2023; 26:108324. [PMID: 38026205 PMCID: PMC10665812 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), where a sustained weight loss may result in T2D remission in individuals with obesity. To design effective and feasible intervention strategies to prevent or reverse T2D, it is imperative to study the progression of T2D and remission together. Unfortunately, this is not possible through experimental and observational studies. To address this issue, we introduce a data-driven computational model and use human data to investigate the progression of T2D with obesity and remission through weight loss on the same timeline. We identify thresholds for the emergence of T2D and necessary conditions for remission. We explain why remission is only possible within a window of opportunity and the way that window depends on the progression history of T2D, individual's metabolic state, and calorie restrictions. These findings can help to optimize therapeutic intervention strategies for T2D prevention or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vehpi Yildirim
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vivek M. Sheraton
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Computational Science Lab, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1100 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud Brands
- AMRIF B.V., Agro Business Park, 6708 PW Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Loes Crielaard
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rick Quax
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Computational Science Lab, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Natal A.W. van Riel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Department of Experimental and Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1100 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Karien Stronks
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mary Nicolaou
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M.A. Sloot
- Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, 1012 GC Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Computational Science Lab, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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