An orally available compound suppresses glucagon hypersecretion and normalizes hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes

Suppression of glucagon hypersecretion can normalize hyperglycemia during type 1 diabetes (T1D). Activating erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptor type-A4 (EphA4) on α cells reduced glucagon hypersecretion from dispersed α cells and T1D islets from both human donor and mouse models. We synthesized a high-affinity small molecule agonist for the EphA4 receptor, WCDD301, which showed robust plasma and liver microsome metabolic stability in both mouse and human preparations. In islets and dispersed islet cells from nondiabetic and T1D human donors, WCDD301 reduced glucagon secretion comparable to the natural EphA4 ligand, Ephrin-A5. In diabetic NOD and streptozotocin-treated mice, once-daily oral administration of WCDD301 formulated with a time-release excipient reduced plasma glucagon and normalized blood glucose for more than 3 months. These results suggest that targeting the α cell EphA4 receptor by sustained release of WCDD301 is a promising pharmacologic pathway for normalizing hyperglycemia in patients with T1D.

Insulin-independent reversal of type 1 diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice with brown adipose tissue transplant

Traditional therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D) involve insulin replacement or islet/pancreas transplantation and have numerous limitations. Our previous work demonstrated the ability of embryonic brown adipose tissue (BAT) transplants to establish normoglycemia without insulin in chemically induced models of insulin-deficient diabetes. The current study sought to extend the technique to an autoimmune-mediated T1D model and document the underlying mechanisms. In nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, BAT transplants result in complete reversal of T1D associated with rapid and long-lasting euglycemia. In addition, BAT transplants placed prior to the onset of diabetes on NOD mice can prevent or significantly delay the onset of diabetes. As with streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic models, euglycemia is independent of insulin and strongly correlates with decrease of inflammation and increase of adipokines. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is the first hormone to increase following BAT transplants. Adipose tissue of transplant recipients consistently express IGF-I compared with little or no expression in controls, and plasma IGF-I levels show a direct negative correlation with glucose, glucagon, and inflammatory cytokines. Adipogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of IGF-I may stimulate regeneration of new healthy white adipose tissue, which in turn secretes hypoglycemic adipokines that substitute for insulin. IGF-I can also directly decrease blood glucose through activating insulin receptor. These data demonstrate the potential for insulin-independent reversal of autoimmune-induced T1D with BAT transplants and implicate IGF-I as a likely mediator in the resulting equilibrium.

Benefits of healthy adipose tissue in the treatment of diabetes

The major malfunction in diabetes mellitus is severe perturbation of glucose homeostasis caused by deficiency of insulin. Insulin deficiency is either absolute due to destruction or failure of pancreatic β cells, or relative due to decreased sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin. The primary lesion being related to insulin, treatments for diabetes focus on insulin replacement and/or increasing sensitivity to insulin. These therapies have their own limitations and complications, some of which can be life-threatening. For example, exogenous insulin administration can lead to fatal hypoglycemic episodes; islet/pancreas transplantation requires life-long immunosuppressive therapy; and anti-diabetic drugs have dangerous side effects including edema, heart failure and lactic acidosis. Thus the need remains for better safer long term treatments for diabetes. The ultimate goal in treating diabetes is to re-establish glucose homeostasis, preferably through endogenously generated hormones. Recent studies increasingly show that extra-pancreatic hormones, particularly those arising from adipose tissue, can compensate for insulin, or entirely replace the function of insulin under appropriate circumstances. Adipose tissue is a versatile endocrine organ that secretes a variety of hormones with far-reaching effects on overall metabolism. While unhealthy adipose tissue can exacerbate diabetes through limiting circulation and secreting of pro-inflammatory cytokines, healthy uninflamed adipose tissue secretes beneficial adipokines with hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can complement and/or compensate for the function of insulin. Administration of specific adipokines is known to alleviate both type 1 and 2 diabetes, and leptin mono-therapy is reported to reverse type 1 diabetes independent of insulin. Although specific adipokines may correct diabetes, administration of individual adipokines still carries risks similar to those of insulin monotherapy. Thus a better approach is to achieve glucose homeostasis with endogenously-generated adipokines through transplantation or regeneration of healthy adipose tissue. Our recent studies on mouse models show that type 1 diabetes can be reversed without insulin through subcutaneous transplantation of embryonic brown adipose tissue, which leads to replenishment of recipients’ white adipose tissue; increase of a number of beneficial adipokines; and fast and long-lasting euglycemia. Insulin-independent glucose homeostasis is established through a combination of endogenously generated hormones arising from the transplant and/or newly-replenished white adipose tissue. Transplantation of healthy white adipose tissue is reported to alleviate type 2 diabetes in rodent models on several occasions, and increasing the content of endogenous brown adipose tissue is known to combat obesity and type 2 diabetes in both humans and animal models. While the underlying mechanisms are not fully documented, the beneficial effects of healthy adipose tissue in improving metabolism are increasingly reported, and are worthy of attention as a powerful tool in combating metabolic disease.

Ablation of PRDM16 and beige adipose causes metabolic dysfunction and a subcutaneous to visceral fat switch

A clear relationship exists between visceral obesity and type 2 diabetes, whereas subcutaneous obesity is comparatively benign. Here, we show that adipocyte-specific deletion of the coregulatory protein PRDM16 caused minimal effects on classical brown fat but markedly inhibited beige adipocyte function in subcutaneous fat following cold exposure or β3-agonist treatment. These animals developed obesity on a high-fat diet, with severe insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. They also showed altered fat distribution with markedly increased subcutaneous adiposity. Subcutaneous adipose tissue in mutant mice acquired many key properties of visceral fat, including decreased thermogenic and increased inflammatory gene expression and increased macrophage accumulation. Transplantation of subcutaneous fat into mice with diet-induced obesity showed a loss of metabolic benefit when tissues were derived from PRDM16 mutant animals. These findings indicate that PRDM16 and beige adipocytes are required for the "browning" of white fat and the healthful effects of subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Therapeutic value of brown adipose tissue: Correcting metabolic disease through generating healthy fat

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), an important endocrine organ long known for thermogenesis and energy consumption, has received much attention in recent years for its potential to combat obesity. In general, BAT can enhance metabolism and improve overall health. Our recent work demonstrates the ability of embryonic BAT transplants to correct type 1 diabetes (T1D) without insulin, via mechanisms somewhat different from those involved in BAT-associated weight loss. BAT transplants seem to reverse T1D by decreasing inflammation and increasing functionality in the surrounding white adipose tissue (WAT), thereby enabling it to secrete hypoglycemic adipokines, which compensate for the function of insulin. Thus BAT can transform unhealthy WAT to a healthy status, sufficient to replace the function of endocrine pancreas and establish insulin-independent glycemic regulation. Several studies, including ours, demonstrate the remarkable ability of BAT to correct metabolic disorders and hint at its beneficial effects on inflammation. Hence, addition of more BAT to the body, through transplantation or stimulating regeneration, may well be the therapy of the future for the simple correction of numerous diseases.

Adipose tissue, hormones, and treatment of type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a serious disease with increasing incidence worldwide, with fatal consequences if untreated. Traditional therapies require direct or indirect insulin replacement, which involves numerous limitations and complications. While insulin is the major regulator of blood glucose, recent reports demonstrate the ability of several extra-pancreatic hormones to decrease blood glucose and improve metabolic homeostasis. Such hormones mainly include adipokines originating from adipose tissue (AT), while specific factors from the gut and liver also contribute to glucose homeostasis. Correction of T1D with adipokines is progressively becoming a realistic option, with the potential to overcome many problems associated with insulin replacement. Several recent studies demonstrate insulin-independent reversal or amelioration of T1D through administration of specific adipokines. Our recent work demonstrates the ability of healthy AT to compensate for the function of endocrine pancreas in long-term correction of T1D. This review discusses the potential of AT-related therapies for T1D as viable alternatives to insulin replacement.

Reversal of type 1 diabetes in mice by brown adipose tissue transplant

Current therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D) involve insulin replacement or transplantation of insulin-secreting tissue, both of which suffer from numerous limitations and complications. Here, we show that subcutaneous transplants of embryonic brown adipose tissue (BAT) can correct T1D in streptozotocin-treated mice (both immune competent and immune deficient) with severely impaired glucose tolerance and significant loss of adipose tissue. BAT transplants result in euglycemia, normalized glucose tolerance, reduced tissue inflammation, and reversal of clinical diabetes markers such as polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. These effects are independent of insulin but correlate with recovery of the animals' white adipose tissue. BAT transplants lead to significant increases in adiponectin and leptin, but with levels that are static and not responsive to glucose. Pharmacological blockade of the insulin receptor in BAT transplant mice leads to impaired glucose tolerance, similar to what is seen in nondiabetic animals, indicating that insulin receptor activity plays a role in the reversal of diabetes. One possible candidate for activating the insulin receptor is IGF-1, whose levels are also significantly elevated in BAT transplant mice. Thus, we propose that the combined action of multiple adipokines establishes a new equilibrium in the animal that allows for chronic glycemic control without insulin.

Subcutaneous transplantation of embryonic pancreas for correction of type 1 diabetes

Islet transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for type 1 diabetes. However, current success rates are low due to progressive graft failure in the long term and inability to monitor graft development in vivo. Other limitations include the necessity of initial invasive surgery and continued immunosuppressive therapy. We report an alternative transplantation strategy with the potential to overcome these problems. This technique involves transplantation of embryonic pancreatic tissue into recipients' subcutaneous space, eliminating the need for invasive surgery and associated risks. Current results in mouse models of type 1 diabetes show that embryonic pancreatic transplants in the subcutaneous space can normalize blood glucose homeostasis and achieve extensive endocrine differentiation and vascularization. Furthermore, modern imaging techniques such as two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM) can be employed to monitor transplants through the intact skin in a completely noninvasive manner. Thus, this strategy is a convenient alternative to islet transplantation in diabetic mice and has the potential to be translated to human clinical applications with appropriate modifications.

Dimethyl amiloride improves glucose homeostasis in mouse models of type 2 diabetes

Dimethyl amiloride (DMA) enhances insulin secretion in the pancreatic beta-cell. DMA also enhances time-dependent potentiation (TDP) and enables TDP to occur in situations where it is normally absent. As we have demonstrated before, these effects are mediated in part through inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), resulting in increased availability of arginine. Thus both DMA and arginine have the potential to correct the secretory defect in diabetes by enabling or enhancing TDP. In the current study we have demonstrated the ability of these agents to improve blood glucose homeostasis in three mouse models of type 2 diabetes. The pattern of TDP under different conditions indicates that inhibition of NOS is not the only mechanism through which DMA exerts its positive effects. Thus we also have explored another possible mechanism through which DMA enables/enhances TDP, via the activation of mitochondrial alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Direct effect of cholesterol on insulin secretion: a novel mechanism for pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is often accompanied by abnormal blood lipid and lipoprotein levels, but most studies on the link between hyperlipidemia and diabetes have focused on free fatty acids (FFAs). In this study, we examined the relationship between cholesterol and insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells that is independent of the effects of FFAs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Several methods were used to modulate cholesterol levels in intact islets and cultured beta-cells, including a recently developed mouse model that exhibits elevated cholesterol but normal FFA levels. Acute and metabolic alteration of cholesterol was done using pharmacological reagents.

RESULTS

We found a direct link between elevated serum cholesterol and reduced insulin secretion, with normal secretion restored by cholesterol depletion. We further demonstrate that excess cholesterol inhibits secretion by downregulation of metabolism through increased neuronal nitric oxide synthase dimerization.

CONCLUSIONS

This direct effect of cholesterol on beta-cell metabolism opens a novel set of mechanisms that may contribute to beta-cell dysfunction and the onset of diabetes in obese patients.

Mechanisms of time-dependent potentiation of insulin release: involvement of nitric oxide synthase

Time-dependent potentiation (TDP) of insulin release is normally absent in mice. However, we recently demonstrated that TDP occurs in mouse islets under conditions of forced decrease of intracellular pH (pH(i)) associated with elevated NADPH+H(+) (NADPH) levels. Hence, TDP in mouse islets may be kept suppressed by neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS), an NADPH-utilizing enzyme with alkaline pH optimum. To determine the role of nNOS in the suppression of TDP in mouse islets, glucose-induced TDP was monitored in mouse islets in which nNOS activity had been genetically removed or chemically inhibited and compared with the TDP response in wild-type mouse islets with and without forced intracellular acidification. Genetic deletion of nNOS was provided by an nNOS knockout (NOS-KO) mouse model, B6-129S4-Nos1(tm1Plh)/J. To explore how nNOS inhibits TDP, we compared pH(i) and NADPH levels in wild-type and NOS-KO islets and monitored TDP with various components of the nNOS reaction added. Glucose normally does not produce TDP in wild-type mouse islets except under forced intracellular acidification. Remarkably, glucose produced strong TDP in NOS-KO islets and in wild-type islets treated with nNOS inhibitors. TDP in NOS-KO islets was not inhibited by the addition of NO, and NOS-KO islets exhibited a lower pH(i) than wild-type islets. The addition of arginine to wild-type islets also enabled glucose to induce TDP. Our results show that nNOS activity contributes to the absence of TDP in mouse islets putatively through depletion of intracellular arginine.

Amiloride derivatives enhance insulin release in pancreatic islets from diabetic mice

BACKGROUND

Amiloride derivatives, commonly used for their diuretic and antihypertensive properties, can also cause a sustained but reversible decrease of intracellular pH (pHi). Using dimethyl amiloride (DMA) on normal rodent pancreatic islets, we previously demonstrated the critical influence of islet pHi on insulin secretion. Nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion (NSIS) requires a specific pHi-range, and is dramatically enhanced by forced intracellular acidification with DMA. Furthermore, DMA can enable certain non-secretagogues to stimulate insulin secretion, and induce time-dependent potentiation (TDP) of insulin release in mouse islets where this function is normally absent. The present study was performed to determine whether pHi-manipulation could correct the secretory defect in islets isolated from mice with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Using two mouse models of type 2 diabetes, we compared a) pHi-regulation, and b) NSIS with and without treatment with amiloride derivatives, in islets isolated from diabetic mice and wild type mice.

RESULTS

A majority of the islets from the diabetic mice showed a slightly elevated basal pHi and/or poor recovery from acid/base load. DMA treatment produced a significant increase of NSIS in islets from the diabetic models. DMA also enabled glucose to induce TDP in the islets from diabetic mice, albeit to a lesser degree than in normal islets.

CONCLUSION

Islets from diabetic mice show some mis-regulation of intracellular pH, and their secretory capacity is consistently enhanced by DMA/amiloride. Thus, amiloride derivatives show promise as potential therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes.

IMAGING BETA CELL DEVELOPMENT IN REAL-TIME USING PANCREATIC EXPLANTS FROM MICE WITH GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN–LABELED PANCREATIC BETA CELLS

We present a convenient method for monitoring pancreatic beta cell development in real-time, through in vitro culture of embryonic pancreatic explants from transgenic mice with a genetic tag for insulin-producing beta cells.

Anaplerotic input is sufficient to induce time-dependent potentiation of insulin release in rat pancreatic islets

Nutrients that induce biphasic insulin release, such as glucose and leucine, provide acetyl-CoA and anaplerotic input in the beta-cell. The first phase of release requires increased ATP production leading to increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). The second phase requires increased [Ca(2+)](i) and anaplerosis. There is strong evidence to indicate that the second phase is due to augmentation of Ca(2+)-stimulated release via the K(ATP) channel-independent pathway. To test whether the phenomenon of time-dependent potentiation (TDP) has similar properties to the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel-independent pathway, we monitored the ability of different agents that provide acetyl-CoA and anaplerotic input or both of these inputs to induce TDP. The results show that anaplerotic input is sufficient to induce TDP. Interestingly, among the agents tested, the nonsecretagogue glutamine, the nonhydrolyzable analog of leucine aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, and succinic acid methyl ester all induced TDP, and all significantly increased alpha-ketoglutarate levels in the islets. In conclusion, anaplerosis that enhances the supply and utilization of alpha-ketoglutarate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle appears to play an essential role in the generation of TDP.

Nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion in mouse islets is critically dependent on intracellular pH

BACKGROUND: Many mechanistic steps underlying nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion (NSIS) are poorly understood. The influence of intracellular pH (pHi) on insulin secretion is widely documented, and can be used as an investigative tool. This study demonstrates previously unknown effects of pHi-alteration on insulin secretion in mouse islets, which may be utilized to correct defects in insulin secretion. METHODS: Different components of insulin secretion in mouse islets were monitored in the presence and absence of forced changes in pHi. The parameters measured included time-dependent potentiation of insulin secretion by glucose, and direct insulin secretion by different mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial secretagogues. Islet pHi was altered using amiloride, removal of medium Cl-, and changing medium pH. Resulting changes in islet pHi were monitored by confocal microscopy using a pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effects of pHi-alteration, cellular NAD(P)H levels were measured using two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM). Data were analyzed using Student's t test. RESULTS: Time-dependent potentiation, a function normally absent in mouse islets, can be unmasked by a forced decrease in pHi. The optimal range of pHi for NSIS is 6.4-6.8. Bringing islet pHi to this range enhances insulin secretion by all mitochondrial fuels tested, reverses the inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by mitochondrial inhibitors, and is associated with increased levels of cellular NAD(P)H. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological alteration of pHi is a potential means to correct the secretory defect in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), since forcing islet pHi to the optimal range enhances NSIS and induces secretory functions that are normally absent.

Intracellular pH plays a critical role in glucose-induced time-dependent potentiation of insulin release in rat islets

The underlying mechanisms of glucose-induced time-dependent potentiation in the pancreatic beta-cell are unknown. It had been widely accepted that extracellular Ca(2+) is essential for this process. However, we consistently observed glucose-induced priming under stringent Ca(2+)-free conditions, provided that the experiment was conducted in a HEPES-buffered medium as opposed to the bicarbonate (HCO(3)(-))-buffered medium used in previous studies. The critical difference between these two buffering systems is that islets maintain a lower intracellular pH in the presence of HEPES. The addition of HEPES to a HCO(3)(-)-buffered medium produced a dramatic decrease in the intracellular pH. If it is the lower intracellular pH in islets in a HEPES-buffered medium that is permissive for glucose-induced time-dependent potentiation (TDP), then experimental lowering of intracellular pH by other means should allow TDP to occur in a Ca(2+)-free HCO(3)(-)-buffered medium, where TDP normally does not occur. As expected, experimental acidification produced by dimethyl amiloride (DMA) allowed glucose to induce TDP in a Ca(2+)-free HCO(3)(-)-buffered medium. DMA also enhanced the priming normally present in HEPES-buffered media. Priming was also enhanced by transient acidification caused by acetate. Experimental alkalinization inhibited the development of priming. In the presence of Ca(2+), the magnitude of glucose-induced TDP was higher in a HEPES-buffered medium than in an HCO(3)(-)-buffered medium. In summary, glucose-induced priming was consistently observed under conditions of low intracellular pH and was inhibited with increasing intracellular pH, irrespective of the presence of extracellular Ca(2+). These data indicate that glucose-induced TDP is critically dependent on intracellular pH.

Colonic nitrite and immunoglobulin G concentrations in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate lavage analytes as markers of mucosal inflammation in healthy dogs and dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

DESIGN

Case control study.

ANIMALS

9 healthy dogs and 10 dogs with IBD.

PROCEDURE

A polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution was administered into the dogs colons via a rectal balloon catheter prior to colonoscopy. Lavage solution was allowed to remain intraluminally for 30 minutes and then was withdrawn. Lavage supernatant samples were immediately analyzed for total protein, IgG, and nitrite concentrations and myeloperoxidase activity. Mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from the descending colon and histologically reviewed.

RESULTS

All dogs with IBD had mild to severe lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis, whereas 8 of 9 healthy dogs did not have substantial mucosal inflammation. Myeloperoxidase activity was not detected in lavage samples from healthy dogs or dogs with IBD. Total protein concentration was not significantly different between groups. Mean nitrite and IgG concentrations were significantly higher in samples from dogs with IBD (1.83 nmol/ml and 46 mg/dl, respectively), compared with samples from healthy dogs (0.245 nmol/ml and undetectable concentrations, respectively). Severity of lesions was not correlated with nitrite or IgG concentration.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Assay of nitrite and IgG concentrations in colonic lavage fluid is a simple, objective means of evaluating mucosal inflammation in dogs with IBD. Potential uses include monitoring response to treatment and evaluation of complex cases of chronic intestinal inflammation.