Effects of Adipocyte-derived Factors on the Adrenal Cortex

Effects of SGLT2 Ablation or Inhibition on Corticosterone Secretion in High-Fat-Fed Mice: Exploring a Nexus with Cytokine Levels

Despite recent therapeutic advances, achieving optimal glycaemic control remains a challenge in managing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as effective treatments by promoting urinary glucose excretion. However, the full scope of their mechanisms extends beyond glycaemic control. At present, their immunometabolic effects remain elusive. To investigate the effects of SGLT2 inhibition or deletion, we compared the metabolic and immune phenotype between high fat diet-fed control, chronically dapagliflozin-treated mice and total-body SGLT2/Slc5a2 knockout mice. SGLT2 null mice exhibited superior glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to control or dapagliflozin-treated mice, independent of glycosuria and body weight. Moreover, SGLT2 null mice demonstrated physiological regulation of corticosterone secretion, with lowered morning levels compared to control mice. Systemic cytokine profiling also unveiled significant alterations in inflammatory mediators, particularly interleukin 6 (IL-6). Furthermore, unbiased proteomic analysis demonstrated downregulation of acute-phase proteins and upregulation of glutathione-related proteins, suggesting a role in the modulation of antioxidant responses. Conversely, IL-6 increased SGLT2 expression in kidney HK2 cells suggesting a role for cytokines in the effects of hyperglycemia. Collectively, our study elucidates a potential interplay between SGLT2 activity, immune modulation, and metabolic homeostasis.

CTRP1: A novel player in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a series of diseases induced by inflammation and lipid metabolism disorders, among others. Metabolic diseases can cause inflammation and abnormal lipid metabolism. C1q/TNF-related proteins 1 (CTRP1) is a paralog of adiponectin that belongs to the CTRP subfamily. CTRP1 is expressed and secreted in adipocytes, macrophages, cardiomyocytes, and other cells. It promotes lipid and glucose metabolism but has bidirectional effects on the regulation of inflammation. Inflammation can also inversely stimulate CTRP1 production. A vicious circle may exist between the two. This article introduces CTRP1 from the structure, expression, and different roles of CTRP1 in CVDs and metabolic diseases, to summarize the role of CTRP1 pleiotropy. Moreover, the proteins which may interact with CTRP1 are predicted through GeneCards and STRING, speculating their effects, to provide new ideas for the study of CTRP1.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Risk Factors for Rapid eGFR Decline in Chinese Patients with Biopsy-Proven Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy

AIM

To investigate the clinicopathologic features and the related risk factors for rapid estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in Chinese obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) patients.

METHODS

A total of 63 ORG patients, who underwent a renal biopsy and received follow-up for at least 12 months, were recruited in our study. These patients were classified as rapid decliners and slow decliners based on the eGFR slope value (-5.0 mL/min/1.73 m²/year). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for rapid eGFR decline.

RESULTS

Of the 63 ORG patients, 48 (76.2%) were male, the mean age was 38.7 ± 9.0 years, the median of urinary protein excretion was 1.62 g/24 h, 27.0% of them had nephrotic-range proteinuria, while hypoalbuminemia was observed in 7.9% of them. The incidence of obvious hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, glucose dysmetabolism and hyperuricemia were 71.4%, 60.3%, 36.5% and 27.0%, respectively. 13 (20.6%) patients became rapid decliners during the median 45 months of follow-up. Their mean BMI was 31.8 ± 3.6 kg/m², the median of baseline eGFR and urinary protein excretion were 71.8 (range of 30.5-118.2) mL/min/1.73 m²/year and 3.57 g/24 h, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (OR 9.205, 95% CI 1.704-49.740, P = 0.01), hyperuricemia (OR 5.541, 95% CI 1.079-28.460, P = 0.04) and nephrotic-range proteinuria (OR 6.128, 95% CI 1.311-28.637, P = 0.021) were the independent risk factors for rapid eGFR decline.

CONCLUSION

Chinese ORG patients were more likely to have clinical characteristics with hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension and hyperuricemia, and mild to severe degrees of urinary protein excretion at diagnosis, while patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria lacked hypoalbuminemia and hypercholesterolemia. Smoking, hyperuricemia and nephrotic-range proteinuria were independent risk factors for rapid eGFR decline in ORG patients.