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Paes T, Feelders RA, Hofland LJ. Epigenetic Mechanisms Modulated by Glucocorticoids With a Focus on Cushing Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1424-e1433. [PMID: 38517306 PMCID: PMC11099489 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
In Cushing syndrome (CS), prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels results in a wide range of devastating effects causing multisystem morbidity. Despite the efficacy of treatment leading to disease remission and clinical improvement, hypercortisolism-induced complications may persist. Since glucocorticoids use the epigenetic machinery as a mechanism of action to modulate gene expression, the persistence of some comorbidities may be mediated by hypercortisolism-induced long-lasting epigenetic changes. Additionally, glucocorticoids influence microRNA expression, which is an important epigenetic regulator as it modulates gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Evidence suggests that chronically elevated glucocorticoid levels may induce aberrant microRNA expression which may impact several cellular processes resulting in cardiometabolic disorders. The present article reviews the evidence on epigenetic changes induced by (long-term) glucocorticoid exposure. Key aspects of some glucocorticoid-target genes and their implications in the context of CS are described. Lastly, the effects of epigenetic drugs influencing glucocorticoid effects are discussed for their ability to be potentially used as adjunctive therapy in CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ticiana Paes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, MA, USA
| | - Richard A Feelders
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leo J Hofland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Boswell L, Vega-Beyhart A, Blasco M, Quintana LF, Rodríguez G, Díaz-Catalán D, Vilardell C, Claro M, Mora M, Amor AJ, Casals G, Hanzu FA. Hair cortisol and changes in cortisol dynamics in chronic kidney disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1282564. [PMID: 38638132 PMCID: PMC11024788 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1282564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective We compared hair cortisol (HC) with classic tests of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and assessed its association with kidney and cardiometabolic status. Design and methods A cross-sectional study of 48 patients with CKD stages I-IV, matched by age, sex, and BMI with 24 healthy controls (CTR) was performed. Metabolic comorbidities, body composition, and HPA axis function were studied. Results A total of 72 subjects (age 52.9 ± 12.2 years, 50% women, BMI 26.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2) were included. Metabolic syndrome features (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, glucose, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, waist circumference) and 24-h urinary proteins increased progressively with worsening kidney function (p < 0.05 for all). Reduced cortisol suppression after 1-mg dexamethasone suppression (DST) (p < 0.001), a higher noon (12:00 h pm) salivary cortisol (p = 0.042), and salivary cortisol AUC (p = 0.008) were seen in CKD. 24-h urinary-free cortisol (24-h UFC) decreased in CKD stages III-IV compared with I-II (p < 0.001); higher midnight salivary cortisol (p = 0.015) and lower suppressibility after 1-mg DST were observed with declining kidney function (p < 0.001). Cortisol-after-DST cortisol was >2 mcg/dL in 23% of CKD patients (12.5% in stage III and 56.3% in stage IV); 45% of them had cortisol >2 mcg/dL after low-dose 2-day DST, all in stage IV (p < 0.001 for all). Cortisol-after-DST was lineally inversely correlated with eGFR (p < 0.001). Cortisol-after-DST (OR 14.9, 95% CI 1.7-103, p = 0.015) and glucose (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5, p = 0.003) were independently associated with eGFR <30 mL/min/m2). HC was independently correlated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (p = 0.016). Cortisol-after-DST (p = 0.032) and VAT (p < 0.001) were independently correlated with BMI. Conclusion Cortisol-after-DST and salivary cortisol rhythm present progressive alterations in CKD patients. Changes in cortisol excretion and HPA dynamics in CKD are not accompanied by significant changes in long-term exposure to cortisol evaluated by HC. The clinical significance and pathophysiological mechanisms explaining the associations between HPA parameters, body composition, and kidney damage warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Boswell
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Althaia University Health Network, Manresa, Spain
| | - Arturo Vega-Beyhart
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Blasco
- Group of Nephrology and Transplantation, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis F. Quintana
- Group of Nephrology and Transplantation, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela Rodríguez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniela Díaz-Catalán
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Vilardell
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Althaia University Health Network, Manresa, Spain
| | - María Claro
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Mora
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabo´ licas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio J. Amor
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregori Casals
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felicia A. Hanzu
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabo´ licas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
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Zhang Y, Du C, Wang W, Qiao W, Li Y, Zhang Y, Sheng S, Zhou X, Zhang L, Fan H, Yu Y, Chen Y, Liao Y, Chen S, Chang Y. Glucocorticoids increase adiposity by stimulating Krüppel-like factor 9 expression in macrophages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1190. [PMID: 38331933 PMCID: PMC10853261 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45477-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid (GC)-induced obesity are poorly understood. Macrophages are the primary targets by which GCs exert pharmacological effects and perform critical functions in adipose tissue homeostasis. Here, we show that macrophages are essential for GC-induced obesity. Dexamethasone (Dex) strongly induced Krüppel-like factor 9 (Klf9) expression in macrophages. Similar to Dex, lentivirus-mediated Klf9 overexpression inhibits M1 and M2a markers expression, causing macrophage deactivation. Furthermore, the myeloid-specific Klf9 transgene promotes obesity. Conversely, myeloid-specific Klf9-knockout (mKlf9KO) mice are lean. Moreover, myeloid Klf9 knockout largely blocks obesity induced by chronic GC treatment. Mechanistically, GC-inducible KLF9 recruits the SIN3A/HDAC complex to the promoter regions of Il6, Ptgs2, Il10, Arg1, and Chil3 to inhibit their expression, subsequently reducing thermogenesis and increasing lipid accumulation by inhibiting STAT3 signaling in adipocytes. Thus, KLF9 in macrophages integrates the beneficial anti-inflammatory and adverse metabolic effects of GCs and represents a potential target for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinliang Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunyuan Du
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Qiao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuhui Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Sufang Sheng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuenan Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Heng Fan
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Chinese Traditional Medicine, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunfei Liao
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shihong Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Yongsheng Chang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Disease, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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Alufer L, Tsaban G, Rinott E, Kaplan A, Meir AY, Zelicha H, Ceglarek U, Isermann B, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Stampfer MJ, Shai I. Long-term green-Mediterranean diet may favor fasting morning cortisol stress hormone; the DIRECT-PLUS clinical trial. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1243910. [PMID: 38034010 PMCID: PMC10682947 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1243910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fasting morning cortisol (FMC) stress hormone levels, are suggested to reflect increased cardiometabolic risk. Acute response to weight loss diet could elevate FMC. Richer Polyphenols and lower carbohydrates diets could favor FMC levels. We aimed to explore the effect of long-term high polyphenol Mediterranean diet (green-MED) on FMC and its relation to metabolic health. Methods We randomized 294 participants into one of three dietary interventions for 18-months: healthy dietary guidelines (HDG), Mediterranean (MED) diet, and Green-MED diet. Both MED diets were similarly hypocaloric and lower in carbohydrates and included walnuts (28 g/day). The high-polyphenols/low-meat Green-MED group further included green tea (3-4 cups/day) and a Wolffia-globosa Mankai plant 1-cup green shakeFMC was obtained between 07:00-07:30AM at baseline, six, and eighteen-months. Results Participants (age=51.1years, 88% men) had a mean BMI of 31.3kg/m2, FMC=304.07nmol\L, and glycated-hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c)=5.5%; 11% had type 2 diabetes and 38% were prediabetes. Baseline FMC was higher among men (308.6 ± 90.05nmol\L) than women (269.6± 83.9nmol\L;p=0.02). Higher baseline FMC was directly associated with age, dysglycemia, MRI-assessed visceral adiposity, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein (hsCRP), testosterone, Progesterone and TSH levels (p ≤ 0.05 for all). The 18-month retention was 89%. After 6 months, there were no significant changes in FMC among all intervention groups. However, after 18-months, both MED groups significantly reduced FMC (MED=-1.6%[-21.45 nmol/L]; Green-MED=-1.8%[-26.67 nmol/L]; p<0.05 vs. baseline), as opposed to HDG dieters (+4%[-12 nmol/L], p=0.28 vs. baseline), whereas Green-MED diet FMC change was significant as compared to HDG diet group (p=0.048 multivariable models). Overall, 18-month decrease in FMC levels was associated with favorable changes in FPG, HbA1c, hsCRP, TSH, testosterone and MRI-assessed hepatosteatosis, and with unfavorable changes of HDLc (p<0.05 for all, weight loss adjusted, multivariable models). Conclusion Long-term adherence to MED diets, and mainly green-MED/high polyphenols diet, may lower FMC, stress hormone, levels,. Lifestyle-induced FMC decrease may have potential benefits related to cardiometabolic health, irrespective of weight loss. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03020186.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liav Alufer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Gal Tsaban
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ehud Rinott
- Department of Medicine, Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alon Kaplan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Anat Yaskolka Meir
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hila Zelicha
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Uta Ceglarek
- Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Berend Isermann
- Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Stumvoll
- Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Meir J. Stampfer
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Iris Shai
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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