GEOFFREY HARRIS PRIZE LECTURE 2018: Novel pathways regulating neuroendocrine function, energy homeostasis and metabolism in humans

Milestones in the journey towards addressing obesity; Past trials and triumphs, recent breakthroughs, and an exciting future in the era of emerging effective medical therapies and integration of effective medical therapies with metabolic surgery

The 21st century is characterized by an increasing incidence and prevalence of obesity and the burden of its associated comorbidities, especially cardiometabolic diseases, which are reaching pandemic proportions. In the late '90s, the "black box" of adipose tissue and energy homeostasis was opened with the discovery of leptin, transforming the adipose tissue from an "inert fat-storage organ" to the largest human endocrine organ and creating the basis on which more intensified research efforts to elucidate the pathogenesis of obesity and develop novel treatments were based upon. Even though leptin was eventually not proven to be the "standalone magic bullet" for the treatment of common/polygenic obesity, it has been successful in the treatment of monogenic obesity syndromes. Additionally, it shifted the paradigm of treating obesity from a condition due to "lack of willpower" to a disease due to distinct underlying biological mechanisms for which specific pharmacotherapies would be needed in addition to lifestyle modification. Subsequently, the melanocortin pathway proved to be an equally valuable pathway for the pharmacotherapy of obesity. Melanocortin receptor agonists have recently been approved for treating certain types of syndromic obesity. Other molecules- such as incretins, implicated in energy and glucose homeostasis- are secreted by the gastrointestinal tract. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is the most prominent one, with GLP-1 analogs approved for common/polygenic obesity. Unimolecular combinations with other incretins, e.g., GLP-1 with gastric inhibitory polypeptide and/or glucagon, are expected to be approved soon as more effective pharmacotherapies for obesity and its comorbidities. Unimolecular combinations with other compounds and small molecules activating the receptors of these molecules are currently under investigation as promising future pharmacotherapies. Moreover, metabolic and bariatric surgery has also demonstrated impressive results, especially in the case of morbid obesity. Consequently, this broadening therapeutic armamentarium calls for a well-thought-after and well-coordinated multidisciplinary approach, for instance, through cardiometabolic expertise centers, that would ideally address effectively and cost-effectively obesity and its comorbidities, providing tangible benefits to large segments of the population.

Adipokines as Clinically Relevant Therapeutic Targets in Obesity

Adipokines provide an outstanding role in the comprehensive etiology of obesity and may link adipose tissue dysfunction to further metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Although several adipokines have been identified in terms of their physiological roles, many regulatory circuits remain unclear and translation from experimental studies to clinical applications has yet to occur. Nevertheless, due to their complex metabolic properties, adipokines offer immense potential for their use both as obesity-associated biomarkers and as relevant treatment strategies for overweight, obesity and metabolic comorbidities. To provide an overview of the current clinical use of adipokines, this review summarizes clinical studies investigating the potential of various adipokines with respect to diagnostic and therapeutic treatment strategies for obesity and linked metabolic disorders. Furthermore, an overview of adipokines, for which a potential for clinical use has been demonstrated in experimental studies to date, will be presented. In particular, promising data revealed that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19, FGF-21 and leptin offer great potential for future clinical application in the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities. Based on data from animal studies or other clinical applications in addition to obesity, adipokines including adiponectin, vaspin, resistin, chemerin, visfatin, bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) provide potential for human clinical application.

Neuroendocrine pathways at risk? Simvastatin induces inter and transgenerational disruption in the keystone amphipod Gammarus locusta

The primary focus of environmental toxicological studies is to address the direct effects of chemicals on exposed organisms (parental generation - F0), mostly overlooking effects on subsequent non-exposed generations (F1 and F2 - intergenerational and F3 transgenerational, respectively). Here, we addressed the effects of simvastatin (SIM), one of the most widely prescribed human pharmaceuticals for the primary treatment of hypercholesterolemia, using the keystone crustacean Gammarus locusta. We demonstrate that SIM, at environmentally relevant concentrations, has significant inter and transgenerational (F1 and F3) effects in key signaling pathways involved in crustaceans' neuroendocrine regulation (Ecdysteroids, Catecholamines, NO/cGMP/PKG, GABAergic and Cholinergic signaling pathways), concomitantly with changes in apical endpoints, such as depressed reproduction and growth. These findings are an essential step to improve hazard and risk assessment of biological active compounds, such as SIM, and highlight the importance of studying the transgenerational effects of environmental chemicals in animals' neuroendocrine regulation.

Homeostatic and endocrine responses as the basis for systemic therapy with medical gases: ozone, xenon and molecular hydrogen

Among medical gases, including gases used therapeutically, this review discusses the comparative physiological activity of three gases - ozone (O3), xenon (Xe) and molecular hydrogen (H2), which together form representatives of three types of substances - typical oxidizing, inert, and typical reducing agents. Upon analysis of published and proprietary data, we concluded that these three medical gases can manipulate the neuroendocrine system, by modulating the production or release of hormones via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes, or the gastrointestinal pathway. With repeated administration of the gases over time, these modulations become a predictable consequence of conditioned homeostatic reflexes, resulting in regulation of physiological activity. For example, the regular activation of the unconditioned defense reflex in response to repeated intoxication by ozone leads to the formation of an anticipatory stable conditioned response, which counteracts the toxic action of O3. The concept of a Pavlovian conditioned reflex (or hormoligosis) is a brief metaphor for the understanding the therapeutic effect of systemic ozone therapy.

Leptin and Obesity: Role and Clinical Implication

The peptide hormone leptin regulates food intake, body mass, and reproductive function and plays a role in fetal growth, proinflammatory immune responses, angiogenesis and lipolysis. Leptin is a product of the obese (ob) gene and, following synthesis and secretion from fat cells in white adipose tissue, binds to and activates its cognate receptor, the leptin receptor (LEP-R). LEP-R distribution facilitates leptin's pleiotropic effects, playing a crucial role in regulating body mass via a negative feedback mechanism between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Leptin resistance is characterized by reduced satiety, over-consumption of nutrients, and increased total body mass. Often this leads to obesity, which reduces the effectiveness of using exogenous leptin as a therapeutic agent. Thus, combining leptin therapies with leptin sensitizers may help overcome such resistance and, consequently, obesity. This review examines recent data obtained from human and animal studies related to leptin, its role in obesity, and its usefulness in obesity treatment.

A Natural History of Silent Brain Syndrome over 36 Years: A case report

A 34-year-old Caucasian male who underwent a ventricular shunt at age 21 presented with bilateral enophthalmos, poor eyelid-globe apposition and exposure keratopathy characteristic of silent brain syndrome. Progressive enophthalmos and corneal decompensation were documented in serial photographs and radiographic studies over 36 years. Over this period, no sequelae of shunt over-drainage were observed. A lumbar puncture at the last follow-up measured CSF opening pressure to be within the normal range. Additional systemic findings included pneumosinus dilatans, loss of adipose tissue in the temporalis fossa and atrophy of the dorsal interossei of the hand. Surgical interventions to preserve ocular function included insertion of orbital floor wedge and sheet implants, sheet orbital roof implants, and retroplacement of canthal tendons. This report chronicles the long-term clinical course of a patient with silent brain syndrome. The systemic changes suggest factors beyond low intracranial pressure may contribute to the pathogenesis of the condition in our patient.

Obesity medications in development

Introduction: Obesity is compounded by a neurobiology that is resistant to weight loss. Therefore, the development of pharmacotherapies to address the pathology underlying the dysregulation of energy homeostasis is critical.Areas covered: This review examines selected clinical trial evidence for the pharmacologic treatment of obesity and provides an expert opinion on anti-obesity drug development. The article includes the outcomes of anti-obesity medications that have been evaluated in clinical trials but have not yet received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The mechanisms of action of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and co-agonists, diabetes medications being investigated for weight loss, and medications acting on the central nervous system as well as peripherally are reviewed. A search was conducted on PubMed using the terms 'Obesity AND Medications' restricted to clinical trials reported in English. Using similar terms, a search was also conducted on ClinicalTrials.gov.Expert opinion: The goal of anti-obesity therapy is finding compounds that are effective and have minimal side effects. Combining medications targeting more than one of the redundant mechanisms driving obesity increases efficacy. However, targeting peripheral mechanisms to overcome the trickle-down effects of centrally acting drugs may be the key to success in treating obesity.

GDF-15 as a Weight Watcher for Diabetic and Non-Diabetic People Treated With Metformin

Weight gain and obesity are global health concerns contributing to morbidity with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver steatohepatitis and cancer. Pharmacological therapies or bariatric surgery are often required for those who fail to adhere to diet and lifestyle modifications. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic agent, seems to have a health benefit beyond its anti-hyperglycemic properties, with few side effects. Emerging evidence shows weight loss to be associated with metformin in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Recently, the growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, has been identified as a key mediator of metformin-induced weight loss. Metformin increases the secretion of GDF-15, which binds exclusively to glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-like (GFRAL). This gut-brain cytokine works as a prominent player in reducing food intake and body weight in health and disease, like anorexia nervosa and cancer. Herein, we critically review advances in the understanding of the weight-reducing effects of metformin via the GDF-15 pathway.

S100 proteins in obesity: liaisons dangereuses

Obesity is an endemic pathophysiological condition and a comorbidity associated with hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer. The adipose tissue of obese subjects shows hypertrophic adipocytes, adipocyte hyperplasia, and chronic low-grade inflammation. S100 proteins are Ca2+-binding proteins exclusively expressed in vertebrates in a cell-specific manner. They have been implicated in the regulation of a variety of functions acting as intracellular Ca2+ sensors transducing the Ca2+ signal and extracellular factors affecting cellular activity via ligation of a battery of membrane receptors. Certain S100 proteins, namely S100A4, the S100A8/S100A9 heterodimer and S100B, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of obesity-promoting macrophage-based inflammation via toll-like receptor 4 and/or receptor for advanced glycation end-products ligation. Also, serum levels of S100A4, S100A8/S100A9, S100A12, and S100B correlate with insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, metabolic risk score, and fat cell size. Yet, secreted S100B appears to exert neurotrophic effects on sympathetic fibers in brown adipose tissue contributing to the larger sympathetic innervation of this latter relative to white adipose tissue. In the present review we first briefly introduce S100 proteins and then critically examine their role(s) in adipose tissue and obesity.

Genetic correlations of psychiatric traits with body composition and glycemic traits are sex- and age-dependent

Body composition is often altered in psychiatric disorders. Using genome-wide common genetic variation data, we calculate sex-specific genetic correlations amongst body fat %, fat mass, fat-free mass, physical activity, glycemic traits and 17 psychiatric traits (up to N = 217,568). Two patterns emerge: (1) anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and education years are negatively genetically correlated with body fat % and fat-free mass, whereas (2) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alcohol dependence, insomnia, and heavy smoking are positively correlated. Anorexia nervosa shows a stronger genetic correlation with body fat % in females, whereas education years is more strongly correlated with fat mass in males. Education years and ADHD show genetic overlap with childhood obesity. Mendelian randomization identifies schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, and higher education as causal for decreased fat mass, with higher body fat % possibly being a causal risk factor for ADHD and heavy smoking. These results suggest new possibilities for targeted preventive strategies.

Influence of pre-pregnancy body mass index (p-BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on DNA methylation and protein expression of obesogenic genes in umbilical vein

Understanding the regulatory mechanisms that affect obesogenic genes expression in newborns is essential for early prevention efforts, but they remain unclear. Our study aimed to explore whether the maternal p-BMI and GWG were associated with regulatory single-locus DNA methylation in selected obesogenic genes. For this purpose, DNA methylation was assayed by Methylation-Sensitive High Resolution Melting (MS-HRM) technique and Sanger allele-bisulfite sequencing in fifty samples of umbilical vein to evaluate glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 2 (GNPDA2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α), and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes. Correlations between DNA methylation levels and indicators of maternal nutritional status were carried out. Western blotting was used to evaluate protein expression in extracts of the same samples. Results indicated that GNPDA2 and PGC1α genes have the same level of DNA methylation in all samples; however, a differential DNA methylation of LEPR gene promoter was found, correlating it with GWG and this correlation is unaffected by maternal age or unhealthy habits. Furthermore, leptin receptor (Lep-Rb) was upregulated in samples that showed the lowest levels of DNA methylation. This study highlights the association between poor GWG and adjustments on obesogenic genes expression in newborn tissues with potential consequences for development of obesity in the future.

The Beige Adipocyte as a Therapy for Metabolic Diseases

Adipose tissue is traditionally categorized into white and brown relating to their function and morphology. The classical white adipose tissue builds up energy in the form of triglycerides and is useful for preventing fatigue during periods of low caloric intake and the brown adipose tissue more energetically active, with a greater number of mitochondria and energy production in the form of heat. Since adult humans possess significant amounts of active brown fat depots and its mass inversely correlates with adiposity, brown fat might play an important role in human obesity and energy homeostasis. New evidence suggests two types of thermogenic adipocytes with distinct developmental and anatomical features: classical brown adipocytes and beige adipocytes. Beige adipocyte has recently attracted special interest because of its ability to dissipate energy and the possible ability to differentiate themselves from white adipocytes. The presence of brown and beige adipocyte in human adults has acquired attention as a possible therapeutic intervention for metabolic diseases. Importantly, adult human brown appears to be mainly composed of beige-like adipocytes, making this cell type an attractive therapeutic target for obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2. Because many epigenetics changes can affect beige adipocyte differentiation from adipose progenitor cells, the knowledge of the circumstances that affect the development of beige adipocyte cells may be important to new pathways in the treatment of metabolic diseases. New molecules have emerged as possible therapeutic targets, which through the impulse to develop beige adipocytes can be useful for clinical studies. In this review will discuss some recent observations arising from the unique physiological capacity of these cells and their possible role as ways to treat obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2.