bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protection of insulin-producing RINm5F cells against cytokine-mediated toxicity through overexpression of antioxidant enzymes.
Authors: Lortz S , Tiedge M , Nachtwey T , Karlsen A E , Nerup J , Lenzen S
Published: March 2007

Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial elements in cytokine-mediated beta-cell destruction. In insulin-producing RINm5F cells, overexpression of cytoprotective enzymes provides significant protection against the synergistic toxicity of NO and ROS. We therefore examined whether overexpression of catalase (Cat), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) can provide protection for bioengineered RINm5F cells against cytokine-mediated toxicity. A 72-h exposure of RINm5F control cells to interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) alone or a combination of IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and gamma-interferon resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent decrease of cell viability in the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay. Although IL-1beta alone caused only a moderate reduction of viability in the range of 25%, the cytokine mixture induced a significant loss of viability of >75%. This increased toxicity of the cytokine mixture compared with that of IL-1beta alone could be explained by a higher rate of NO generation within the early 24-48 h incubation period that would favor the toxic synergism of NO and oxygen free radicals. Overexpression of Cat, Gpx, and Cu/Zn SOD protected against toxicity of the cytokine mixture but not against that of IL-1beta alone. The reduction of cytokine-mediated toxicity was evident also because of an increased proliferation rate and a drastic decrease in the cell death rate. The improved antioxidant defense status did not prevent the activation of iNOS after cytokine exposure. However, RINm5F cells overexpressing cytoprotective enzymes showed a significantly lower level of ROS-damaged protein residues. Thus, protection through Cat, Gpx, and Cu/Zn SOD overexpression was apparently because of an inactivation of ROS generated in the signal cascades of the cytokines. Overexpression of cytoprotective enzymes thus represents a feasible strategy to protect insulin-producing cells against cytokine-mediated cytotoxicity.
Acute overexpression of lactate dehydrogenase-A perturbs beta-cell mitochondrial metabolism and insulin secretion.
Authors: Ainscow E K , Zhao C , Rutter G A
Published: March 2007

Islet beta-cells express low levels of lactate dehydrogenase and have high glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity. To determine whether this configuration favors oxidative glucose metabolism via mitochondria in the beta-cell and is important for beta-cell metabolic signal transduction, we have determined the effects on glucose metabolism and insulin secretion of acute overexpression of the skeletal muscle isoform of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-A. Monitored in single MIN6 beta-cells, LDH hyperexpression (achieved by intranuclear cDNA microinjection or adenoviral infection) diminished the response to glucose of both phases of increases in mitochondrial NAD(P)H, as well as increases in mitochondrial membrane potential, cytosolic free ATP, and cystolic free Ca2+. These effects were observed at all glucose concentrations, but were most pronounced at submaximal glucose levels. Correspondingly, adenoviral vector-mediated LDH-A overexpression reduced insulin secretion stimulated by 11 mmol/l glucose and the subsequent response to stimulation with 30 mmol/l glucose, but it was without significant effect when the concentration of glucose was raised acutely from 3 to 30 mmol/l. Thus, overexpression of LDH activity interferes with normal glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in the islet beta-cell type, and it may therefore be directly responsible for insulin secretory defects in some forms of type 2 diabetes. The results also reinforce the view that glucose-derived pyruvate metabolism in the mitochondrion is critical for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the beta-cell.
Decreased insulin responsiveness of glucose uptake in cultured human skeletal muscle cells from insulin-resistant nondiabetic relatives of type 2 diabetic families.
Authors: Jackson S , Bagstaff S M , Lynn S , Yeaman S J , Turnbull D M , Walker M
Published: March 2007

To investigate the contribution of inherited biochemical defects to the peripheral insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes, we studied cultured skeletal muscle from 10 insulin-resistant nondiabetic first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic families and 6 control subjects. Insulin stimulation of glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis was maximal in myoblasts. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (fold-stimulation over basal uptake) was decreased in relative compared with control myoblasts at 0.001 micromol/l (0.93 +/- 0.05 [mean +/- SE] vs. 1.15 +/- 0.06, P < 0.05) and 0.1 micromol/l (1.38 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.69 +/- 0.08, P = 0.025) insulin. Insulin responsiveness was markedly impaired in 5 of the relative myoblast cultures, and in 4 of these, there was an associated increase in basal glucose uptake (76.7 +/- 7.0 vs. 47.4 +/- 5.5 pmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein, relative vs. control; P < 0.02). Expression of insulin receptor substrate 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase B, and glycogen synthase was normal in the relative cultures with impaired insulin responsiveness. Glycogen synthesis was also normal in the relative cultures. We conclude that the persistence of impaired insulin responsiveness in some of the relative cultures supports the role of inherited factors in the insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes and that the association with increased basal glucose uptake suggests that the 2 abnormalities may be linked.
Glucose-mediated glucose disposal in insulin-resistant normoglycemic relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.
Authors: Henriksen J E , Levin K , Thye-Rønn P , Alford F , Hother-Nielsen O , Holst J J , Beck-Nielsen H
Published: March 2007

With the aim of investigating glucose-mediated glucose disposal (glucose effectiveness [GE]) in 15 (3 female and 12 male subjects) insulin-resistant normoglycemic relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2), and 15 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched control subjects without a family history of DM2, we performed 2 studies: 1) a 5-h euglycemic near-normoinsulinemic pancreatic clamp with somatostatin (360 microg/h), insulin (0.25 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)), glucagon (0.5 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)), growth hormone (6 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)), and tritiated glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry; and 2) on a separate day, an identical 5-h clamp but at hyperglycemia (approximately 12 mmol/l) over the last 2 h. Fasting plasma insulin (PI) concentrations were elevated in the relatives compared with control subjects (49 +/- 6 vs. 32 +/- 5 pmol/l, P < 0.04), whereas plasma glucose (PG) was not (5.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.5 +/-0.1 mmol/l). At the end (i.e., 4.5-5.0 h) of the euglycemic clamp (PG, 6.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 5.6 +/- 0.1 mmol/l; PI, 78 +/- 5 vs. 73 +/-6 pmol/l), peripheral glucose uptake (Rd(euglycemia)) was decreased in the relatives (2.93 +/- 0.08 vs. 3.70 +/-0.23 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) fat free mass [FFM], P < 0.005), due to a decreased nonoxidative glucose disposal (0.83 +/-0.21 vs. 1.62 +/- 0.19 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM, P < 0.01), but hepatic glucose production (HGP) was increased (1.97 +/-0.19 vs. 1.50 +/- 0.13 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM, P < 0.05). At the matched end of the hyperglycemic clamp (PG, 12.7 +/-0.2 vs. 12.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/l; PI, 87 +/- 5 vs. 78 +/- 7 pmol/l), peripheral glucose disposal (Rd(hyperglycemia)) (5.52 +/- 0.22 vs. 5.92 +/- 0.29 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM, NS), nonoxidative glucose disposal (2.93 +/- 0.18 vs. 2.78 +/- 0.25 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM, NS), and HGP(hyperglycemia) (1.20 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.37 +/-0.23 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM, NS) were all identical. When the effectiveness of glucose itself on glucose uptake and production [(Rd(hyperglycemia) - Rd(euglycemia))/deltaPG and (HGP(euglycemia)- HGP(hyperglycemia))/deltaPG] was calculated, the relatives had a 22% increase in peripheral uptake (0.022 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.018 +/- 0.002 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM per mg/dl), due to a significantly increased nonoxidative glucose metabolism and enhanced suppression of HGP (0.0076 +/- 0.0021 vs. 0.0011 +/- 0.0022 mg x min(-1) x kg(-1) FFM per mg/dl, P < 0.05). In conclusion, in insulin-resistant relatives of DM2 patients, whole-body glucose-mediated glucose disposal is increased by GE enhancement of the muscle nonoxidative glucose pathway and by GE enhancement of the suppression of HGP. These mechanisms may represent a compensatory mechanism to the ongoing insulin resistance of these relatives.
Free fatty acid elevation impairs insulin-mediated vasodilation and nitric oxide production.
Authors: Steinberg H O , Paradisi G , Hook G , Crowder K , Cronin J , Baron A D
Published: March 2007

The effect and time course of free fatty acid (FFA) elevation on insulin-mediated vasodilation (IMV) and the relationship of FFA elevation to changes in insulin-mediated glucose uptake was studied. Two groups of lean insulin-sensitive subjects underwent euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic (40 mU x m(-2) x min(-1)) clamp studies with and without superimposed FFA elevation on 2 occasions approximately 4 weeks apart. Groups differed only by duration of FFA elevation, either short (2-4 h, n = 12) or long (8 h, n = 7). On both occasions, rates of whole-body glucose uptake were measured, and changes in leg blood flow (LBF) and femoral vein nitric oxide nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) flux in response to the clamps were determined. Short FFA infusion did not have any significant effect on the parameters of interest. In contrast, long FFA infusion decreased rates of whole-body glucose uptake from 47.7 +/-2.8 to 32.2 +/- 0.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.01), insulin-mediated increases in LBF from 66 +/- 8 to 37 +/- 7% (P < 0.05), and insulin-induced increases in NOx flux from 25 +/- 9 to 5 +/- 9% (P < 0.05). Importantly, throughout all groups, FFA-induced changes in whole-body glucose uptake correlated significantly with FFA-induced changes in insulin-mediated increases in LBF (r = 0.706, P < 0.001), which indicates coupling of metabolic and vascular effects. In a different protocol, short FFA elevation blunted the LBF response to NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), which is an inhibitor of NO synthase. LBF in response to L-NMMA decreased by 17.3 +/- 2.4 and 9.0 +/- 1.4% in the groups without and with FFA elevation, respectively (P < 0.05), which indicates that FFA elevation interferes with shear stress-induced NO production. Thus, impairment of shear stress-induced vasodilation and IMV by FFA elevation occurs with different time courses, and impairment of IMV occurs only if glucose metabolism is concomitantly reduced. These findings suggest that NO production in response to the different stimuli may be mediated via different signaling pathways. FFA-induced reduction in NO production may contribute to the higher incidence of hypertension and macrovascular disease in insulin-resistant patients.
Naturally occurring amino acid substitutions at Arg1174 in the human insulin receptor result in differential effects on receptor biosynthesis and hybrid formation, leading to discordant clinical phenotypes.
Authors: Rau H , Kocova M , O'Rahilly S , Whitehead J P
Published: March 2007

Missense mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the human insulin receptor frequently result in a dominantly inherited form of insulin resistance. We noted a marked disparity in the clinical phenotypes of our study subjects with different missense mutations at the same residue (Arg1174) of the insulin receptor. Subjects with a tryptophan substitution (W) were only moderately hyperinsulinemic, whereas those with a glutamine substitution (Q) had severe clinical and biochemical insulin resistance. Studies were undertaken to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences. Both W and Q mutant receptors bound insulin normally but were kinase inactive. The W mutation resulted in more rapid degradation of newly synthesized mutant receptor, which contrasted with the near-normal biosynthesis of the Q receptor. The propensity of the W receptor to form hybrids with the cotransfected wild-type (WT) receptor was also markedly impaired compared with the Q receptor, to an extent greater than could be explained by lower steady-state expression. Thus, the more clinically benign consequences of the heterozygous W mutant receptor are likely to relate to its impaired biosynthesis and/or reduced capacity to form hybrids with WT receptors. In addition to providing an explanation for the milder phenotype of 1174W versus 1174Q carriers, these studies provide further support for the notion that the dominant-negative effect of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase mutations involves the competition between inactive mutant homodimers and WT/mutant hybrids with active WT homodimers for both ligands and intracellular substrates.
Dissociation of AMP-activated protein kinase activation and glucose transport in contracting slow-twitch muscle.
Authors: Derave W , Ai H , Ihlemann J , Witters L A , Kristiansen S , Richter E A , Ploug T
Published: March 2007

5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been suggested to be a key regulatory protein in exercise signaling of muscle glucose transport. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether muscle glycogen levels affect AMPK activation and glucose transport stimulation similarly during contractions. Rats were preconditioned by a combination of swimming exercise and diet to obtain a glycogen-supercompensated group (high muscle glycogen content [HG]) with approximately 3-fold higher muscle glycogen levels than a glycogen-depleted group (low muscle glycogen content [LG]). In perfused fast-twitch muscles, contractions induced significant increases in AMPK activity and glucose transport and decreases in acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) activity in both HG and LG groups. Contraction-induced glucose transport was nearly 2-fold (P < 0.05) and AMPK activation was 3-fold (P < 0.05) higher in the LG group compared with the HG group, whereas ACC deactivation was not different between groups. Thus, there was a significant positive correlation between AMPK activity and glucose transport in contracting fast-twitch muscles (r = 0.80, P < 0.01). However, in slow-twitch muscles with HG, glucose transport was increased 6-fold (P < 0.05) during contractions, whereas AMPK activity did not increase. In contracting slow-twitch muscles with LG, the increase in AMPK activity (315%) and the decrease in ACC activity (54 vs. 34% at 0.2 mmol/l citrate, LG vs. HG) was higher (P < 0.05) compared with HG muscles, whereas the increase in glucose transport was identical in HG and LG. In conclusion, in slow-twitch muscles, high glycogen levels inhibit contraction-induced AMPK activation without affecting glucose transport. This observation suggests that AMPK activation is not an essential signaling step in glucose transport stimulation in skeletal muscle.
Promoter polymorphism T(-107)C of the paraoxonase PON1 gene is a risk factor for coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetic patients.
Authors: James R W , Leviev I , Ruiz J , Passa P , Froguel P , Garin M C
Published: March 2007

The serum enzyme paraoxonase (PON) protects LDLs from oxidative stress. We recently identified promoter polymorphisms of the PON gene that strongly affect gene expression and serum levels of the enzyme. The present study tested the hypothesis that promoter polymorphism T(-107)C could be a risk factor for vascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients by virtue of its ability to modulate serum concentrations of the antioxidant enzyme. The low-expressor genotype (TT) was associated with significantly lower serum PON concentrations, and it was over-represented in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) (TT vs. TC+CC: odds ratio [OR] 1.64 [95% CI 1.03-2.61], P < 0.05). The association of the low-expressor genotype with an increased risk of disease was independent of other risk factors, including the coding region Q191R polymorphism (OR 2.12 [95% CI 1.19-3.70], P = 0.01). However, an interaction of the promoter polymorphism with the Q191R polymorphism, which was previously identified as an independent risk factor, was observed. The low-expressor promoter allele (-107T) associated with the high-risk 191R allele showed a lower-than-expected level of risk (OR 2.21 vs. the expected 4.76). The data are consistent with the hypothesis that low expression of the antioxidant enzyme PON increases the risk of CHD. Moreover, the promoter polymorphism appears to have a modulating effect on risk that is associated with the coding region polymorphism Q191R. This study indicates a strong genetic component to the antioxidant capacity of HDLs.
The need for early predictors of diabetic nephropathy risk: is albumin excretion rate sufficient?
Authors: Caramori M L , Fioretto P , Mauer M
Published: March 2007

Initial studies showing an approximately 80% rate of progression from microalbuminuria (MA) to proteinuria in type 1 diabetic patients led to the broad acceptance of MA as a useful clinical predictor of increased diabetic nephropathy (DN) risk. Some MA patients, however, have quite advanced renal structural changes, and MA may, in these cases, be a marker rather than a predictor of DN. More recent studies have observed only about a 30-45% risk of progression of MA to proteinuria over 10 years, while about 30% of type 1 diabetic patients with MA became normoalbuminuric and the rest remained microalbuminuric. The finding that some MA patients have only mild diabetic renal lesions is consistent with the lower than originally estimated risk of progression from MA to proteinuria and with the notion that some MA patients revert to normoalbuminuria. To increase the complexity of the scenario, some normoalbuminuric long-standing type 1 diabetic patients have well-established DN lesions and approximately 40% of all patients destined to progress to proteinuria are normoalbuminuric at initial screening, despite many years of diabetes. A similar picture is emerging in type 2 diabetic patients, although fewer studies have been conducted. Thus, the predictive precision for MA to progress to overt nephropathy over the subsequent decade or so is considerably less than originally described. It is unclear whether this is due to changes in the natural history of DN resulting from improved glycemia and blood pressure control, or whether there were overestimates of risk in the original studies due to the small sample sizes, post hoc analyses, and variable MA definitions. Albumin excretion rate (AER) remains the best available noninvasive predictor of DN risk and should be regularly measured according to established guidelines. However, AER may be unable to define patients who are safe from or at risk of DN with an accuracy that is adequate for optimal clinical decision making or for the design of certain clinical trials. Investigations into new risk markers or into the combined use of several currently available predictive parameters are needed.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and ATP-sensitive potassium channel regulation: a word of caution.
Authors: Larsson O , Barker C J , Berggren P O
Published: March 2007

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) has been suggested to play an important role as an endogenous regulator of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels consisting of Kir6.2 as a pore-forming subunit. These studies show the ability of PIP2 to activate KATP channel activity and to counteract the inhibitory effect of ATP, implying that PIP2 could serve the function of modulating the sensitivity of KATP channels to the cytoplasmic free ATP concentration. Careful examination of the literature reveals that the definitive physiologically relevant experiments to establish efficacy of PIP2 on this channel may still have to be performed. Our reservations are based on the handling of PIP2 in cell-free experiments and in various strategies designed to modulate PIP2 concentrations in intact cells. Furthermore, a potent stimulatory effect of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5trisphosphate, a downstream metabolite of PIP2, on KATP channel activity raises the possibility that the effects on the KATP channel may not be directly related to PIP2.
Molecular mode of inhibition of glycogenolysis in rat liver by the dihydropyridine derivative, BAY R3401: inhibition and inactivation of glycogen phosphorylase by an activated metabolite.
Authors: Bergans N , Stalmans W , Goldmann S , Vanstapel F
Published: March 2007

The racemic prodrug BAY R3401 suppresses hepatic glycogenolysis. BAY W1807, the active metabolite of BAY R3401, inhibits muscle glycogen phosphorylase a and b. We investigated whether BAY R3401 reduces hepatic glycogenolysis by allosteric inhibition or by phosphatase-catalyzed inactivation of phosphorylase. In gel-filtered liver extracts, racemic BAY U6751 (containing active BAY W1807) was tested for inhibition of phosphorylase in the glycogenolytic (in which only phosphorylase a is active) and glycogen-synthetic (for the evaluation of a:b ratios) directions. Phosphorylase inactivation by endogenous phosphatase was also studied. In liver extracts, BAY U6751 (0.9-36 micromol/l) inhibited glycogen synthesis by phosphorylase b (notwithstanding the inclusion of AMP), but not by phosphorylase a. Inhibition of phosphorylase-a-catalyzed glycogenolysis was partially relieved by AMP (500 micromol/l). BAY U6751 facilitated phosphorylase-a dephosphorylation. Isolated hepatocytes and perfused livers were tested for BAY R3401-induced changes in phosphorylase-a:b ratios and glycogenolytic output. Though ineffective in extracts, BAY R3401 (0.25 micromol/l-0.5 mmol/l) promoted phosphorylase-a dephosphorylation in hepatocytes. In perfused livers exposed to dibutyryl cAMP (100 micromol/l) for maximal activation of phosphorylase, BAY R3401 (125 micromol/l) inactivated phosphorylase by 63% but glucose output dropped by 83%. Inhibition of glycogenolysis suppressed glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) levels. Activation of glycogen synthase after phosphorylase inactivation depended on the maintenance of G6P levels by supplementing glucose (50 mmol/l). We conclude that the metabolites of BAY R3401 suppress hepatic glycogenolysis by allosteric inhibition and by the dephosphorylation of phosphorylase a.
Evidence that carotid bodies play an important role in glucoregulation in vivo.
Authors: Koyama Y , Coker R H , Stone E E , Lacy D B , Jabbour K , Williams P E , Wasserman D H
Published: March 2007

The carotid bodies are sensitive to glucose in vitro and can be stimulated to cause hyperglycemia in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine if the carotid bodies are involved in basal glucoregulation or the counterregulatory response to an insulin-induced decrement in arterial glucose in vivo. Dogs were surgically prepared >16 days before the experiment. The carotid bodies and their associated nerves were removed (carotid body resected [CBR]) or left intact (Sham), and infusion and sampling catheters were implanted. Removal of carotid bodies was verified by the absence of a ventilatory response to NaCN. Experiments were performed in 18-h fasted conscious dogs and consisted of a tracer ([3-3H]glucose) equilibration period (-120 to -40 min), a basal period (-40 to 0 min), and an insulin infusion (1 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)) period (0-150 min) during which glucose was infused as needed to clamp at mildly hypoglycemic (65 mg/dl) or euglycemic (105 mg/dl) levels. Basal (8 microU/ml) and clamp (40 microU/ml) insulin levels were similar in both groups. Basal arterial glucagon was reduced in CBR compared with Sham (30 + 2 vs. 40 +/- 2 pg/ml) and remained reduced in CBR during hypoglycemia (peak levels of 36 +/- 3 vs. 52 +/- 7 pg/ml). Cortisol levels were not significantly different between the 2 groups in the basal state, but were reduced during the hypoglycemic clamp in CBR. Catecholamine levels were not significantly different between the 2 groups in the basal and hypoglycemic periods. The glucose infusion rate required to clamp glucose at 65 mg/dl was 2.5-fold greater in CBR compared with Sham (4.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.4 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Basal endogenous glucose appearance (R(a)) was equal in CBR and Sham (2.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.2 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). During the hypoglycemic clamp, insulin suppressed R(a) in CBR but not Sham (1.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.2 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) during the last 30 min of the clamp), reflecting impaired counterregulation. Glucose disappearance (R(d)) in the basal state was similar in CBR and Sham, whereas it was elevated in CBR during the hypoglycemic clamp (4.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.1 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) during the last 30 min of the clamp). R(d) was also elevated in euglycemic clamp studies, indicating an effect of carotid body resection independent of hypoglycemia. There were no other measured systematic endocrine or metabolic effects of carotid body resection during euglycemic clamps. In conclusion, we found that the carotid bodies (or receptors anatomically close by) play an important role in the insulin-induced counterregulatory response to mild hypoglycemia.
The c-Jun amino-terminal kinase pathway is preferentially activated by interleukin-1 and controls apoptosis in differentiating pancreatic beta-cells.
Authors: Ammendrup A , Maillard A , Nielsen K , Aabenhus Andersen N , Serup P , Dragsbaek Madsen O , Mandrup-Poulsen T , Bonny C
Published: March 2007

To characterize the differentiation events that selectively target insulin-producing cells to interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced apoptosis, we studied IL-1beta signaling via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and stress-activated protein kinase in 2 pancreatic endocrine cell lines. We studied the glucagon-secreting AN-glu cell line and the insulin and the islet amyloid polypeptide-producing beta-cell line (AN-ins cells), which is derived by stable transfection of AN-glu cells with the transcription factor pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1. AN-ins cells were more sensitive to the cytotoxic action of IL-1beta. This increased sensitivity was not associated with a more pronounced IL-l-induced nitric oxide production in AN-ins cells, but it correlated with a more marked activation of the 3 MAPKs extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)-1/2, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK (p38). This led to increased phosphorylation of the transcription factors c-Jun, Elk-1, and ATF2 and of heat shock protein 25. Inhibition of ERK-1/2 and p38 did not prevent but aggravated IL-1beta-induced cell death. In contrast, inhibition of JNK by transfection with the dominant negative inhibitor of the JNK-binding domain prevented apoptosis in both cell types. Cell death could be elicited by overexpressing the catalytic domain of MAPK kinase kinase 1, a specific activator of JNK and nuclear factor-kappaB, which does not recruit ERK-1/2 or p38. Coactivation of ERK-1/2 with JNK did not prevent apoptosis. In conclusion, increased MAPK signaling in response to IL-1beta may represent a novel molecular marker of beta-cell differentiation. JNK inhibition represents an effective means of preventing IL-1beta-activated beta-cell destruction.
Identification and functional characterization of the peroxisomal proliferator response element in rat GLUT2 promoter.
Authors: Kim H I , Kim J W , Kim S H , Cha J Y , Kim K S , Ahn Y H
Published: March 2007

We identified the peroxisomal proliferator response element (PPRE) in the +68/+89 region of the rat GLUT2 gene. To identify whether the putative PPRE in the GLUT2 gene (GLUT2-PPRE) is functional, GLUT2 promoter-luciferase reporter constructs were transfected into CV-1 cells. Promoter activities were increased by coexpression of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, retinoid X receptor (RXR)-alpha, and treatment of their ligands; troglitazone and 9-cis retinoic acid potentiated the transactivational effects. Introduction of mutations in GLUT2-PPRE resulted in loss of transactivational effects of the PPAR-gamma/RXR-alpha heterodimer. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay using nuclear extracts of CV-1 cells, which were transfected with various combinations of PPARs or RXR-alpha expression plasmids, revealed that heterodimers of PPAR-gamma and RXR-alpha preferentially bound to GLUT2-PPRE. In HIT-T15 cells, promoter activity of the rat GLUT2 gene was increased by troglitazone and 9-cis retinoic acid, and mutations of GLUT2-PPRE resulted in reduction of promoter activity. In addition, we observed increased GLUT2 transcription by troglitazone and 9-cis retinoic acid in isolated rat primary islets. These results suggested that the GLUT2-PPRE is functional and plays a significant role in gene expression of GLUT2 in pancreatic beta-cells. This is the first report identifying PPRE in a gene involved in glucose homeostasis, linking the effect of troglitazone on the regulation of insulin secretion.
Effect of hypoglycemia on amino acid and protein metabolism in healthy humans.
Authors: Battezzati A , Benedini S , Fattorini A , Piceni Sereni L , Luzi L
Published: March 2007

In response to hypoglycemia, healthy individuals rapidly antagonize insulin action on glucose and lipid metabolism, but the effects on protein metabolism are unclear. Because amino acids are an important substrate for gluconeogenesis and a fuel alternative to glucose for oxidation, we evaluated whether hypoglycemia antagonizes the hypoaminoacidemic and the antiproteolytic effects of insulin and changes the de novo synthesis of glutamine, a gluconeogenic amino acid. To this purpose, in 7 healthy subjects, we performed 2 studies, 3.5 h each, at similar insulin but different glucose concentrations (i.e., 4.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/l [euglycemic clamp] or 2.9 +/- 0.2 mmol/l [hypoglycemic clamp]). As expected, hypoglycemia antagonized the insulin suppression of glucose production achieved in euglycemia (from 21 +/- 15 to 116 +/- 12% of basal, P < 0.001), the stimulation of glucose uptake (from 207 +/- 28 to 103 +/- 7% of basal, P < 0.01) and the suppression of circulating free fatty acids (from 30 +/- 5 to 80 +/- 17% of basal, P < 0.001). In contrast, hypoglycemia increased the insulin suppression of circulating leucine (from 63 +/- 1 to 46 +/- 2% of basal, P < 0.001) and phenylalanine (from 79 +/- 3 to 64 +/- 3% of basal, P < 0.001) concentrations. Hypoglycemia did not change the insulin suppression of proteolysis (from 79 +/- 2 to 82 +/- 4% of basal, P < 0.001). However, hypoglycemia doubled the insulin suppression of the glutamine concentrations (from 84 +/- 3 to 63 +/- 3% of basal, P < 0.01) in the absence of significant changes in the glutamine rate of appearance, but it also caused an imbalance between glutamine uptake and release. This study demonstrates that successful counterregulation does not affect proteolysis. Moreover, it does not increase the availability of circulating amino acids by de novo synthesis. In contrast, despite the lower concentration of circulating amino acids, hypoglycemia increases the uptake of glutamine that can be used for gluconeogenesis and as a fuel alternative to glucose.
Association between the human glycoprotein PC-1 gene and elevated glucose and insulin levels in a paired-sibling analysis.
Authors: Gu H F , Almgren P , Lindholm E , Frittitta L , Pizzuti A , Trischitta V , Groop L C
Published: March 2007

We studied whether there is an association between the single nucleotide polymorphism c.533A>C (K121Q) in the glycoprotein PC-1 gene and features of the metabolic syndrome in case-control and intrafamily association studies in 922 subjects from Finland and Sweden. No difference was observed in the Q allele frequency between control subjects and type 2 diabetic subjects (12.9 vs. 15.1%). The QK genotype was associated with higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentrations than the KK genotype in type 2 diabetic patients (P <0.001) and their relatives (P <0.05). A permutation test of siblings discordant for the QK and KK genotypes also showed that the nondiabetic siblings with the QK genotype had higher FPG (6.1 +/- 2.0 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.6 mmo/l, P <0.001) and fasting insulin (7.0 +/- 3.6 vs. 4.8 +/- 2.6 mU/l, P <0.05) concentrations than the carriers of the KK genotype. In addition, diabetic siblings with the QK genotype had higher systolic blood pressure (147.0 +/- 18.0 vs. 140.0 +/- 18.7 mmHg, P <0.05) and higher fasting (9.9 +/- 3.0 vs. 8.8 +/- 2.8 mmol/l, P <0.05) and 2-h plasma glucose (17.3 +/- 8.5 vs. 12.9 +/- 4.2 mmol/l, P < 0.05) concentrations than the diabetic carriers of the KK genotype. The present study shows that, although the Q allele of the human glycoprotein PC-1 gene is associated with surrogate measures of insulin resistance, it may not be enough to increase the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Analysis of the mouse CD30 gene: a candidate for the NOD mouse type 1 diabetes locus Idd9.2.
Authors: Siegmund T , Armitage N , Wicker L S , Peterson L B , Todd J A , Lyons P A
Published: March 2007

Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily play an important role in the initiation, expansion, and termination of an immune response. It has recently been demonstrated that one member of this family, CD30, plays a central role in maintaining peripheral tolerance by controlling the expansion of autoreactive CD8+ T-cells. In the present study, Cd30 was mapped to a 5.6-cM interval on chromosome 4 containing the type 1 diabetes susceptibility locus Idd9.2. We determined the intron/exon structure of Cd30 and sequenced the exons, as well as 1.8 kb of the 5' putative promoter region, from 6 different mouse strains. Remarkably, 63 sequence variants, both coding and noncoding, were found. A total of 27 sequence variants, 4 of which were nonsynonymous, were found between the diabetes susceptible NOD strain and the resistant B10 strain. Of these sequence variants, 19 are within the promoter region. However, no difference between NOD and the congenic strain NOD.B10 Idd9R1, which has the B10 allele of Cd30, was observed in CD30 expression at either the mRNA or protein level. Given its role in protecting against autoimmunity, one or more of the coding variants within CD30 is a good candidate for the Idd9.2 etiological variant.
Mechanism of Amelioration of Insulin Resistance by β3-Adrenoceptor Agonist AJ-9677 in the KK-Ay/Ta Diabetic Obese Mouse Model
Authors: Kato Hiroshi , Ohue Mayumi , Kato Kaori , Nomura Akinori , Toyosawa Kaoru , Furutani Yasuji , Kimura Satoshi , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: March 2007

The mechanism by which the specific β3-adrenoceptor agonist AJ-9677 relieves insulin resistance in vivo was investigated by studying its effects in the white and brown adipose tissues of the KK-Ay/Ta diabetic obese mouse model. AJ-9677 reduced the total weight of white adipose tissues by reducing the size of the adipocytes, an effect associated with the normalization of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and leptin expression levels. The levels of uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue were increased threefold. AJ-9677 caused a marked increase (20- to 80-fold) in the expression of UCP-1 in white adipose tissues. The levels of UCP-2 mRNA were increased in both the white and brown adipose tissues of diabetic obese mice, and AJ-9677 further upregulated UCP-2 mRNA levels in brown adipose tissue, but reduced its levels in white adipose tissue. UCP-3 mRNA levels were not essentially changed by AJ-9677. However, AJ-9677 significantly (two- to four-fold) upregulated the GLUT4 mRNA and protein levels in white and brown adipose tissues and the gastrocnemius. The generation of small adipocytes, presumably mediated by increased expression of UCP-1 in addition to increased lipolysis in response to AJ-9677, was associated with decreased TNF-α and free fatty acid production and may be the mechanism of amelioration of insulin resistance in KK-Ay/Ta diabetic obese mice.
Exercise-Stimulated Glucose Turnover in the Rat Is Impaired by Glucosamine Infusion
Authors: Miles Philip D.G. , Higo Katsuya , Olefsky Jerrold M.
Published: March 2007

The infusion of glucosamine causes insulin resistance, presumably by entering the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway; it has been proposed that this pathway plays a role in hyperglycemia-induced insulin resistance. This study was undertaken to determine if glucosamine infusion could influence exercise-stimulated glucose uptake. Male SD rats were infused with glucosamine at 0.1 mg · kg-1 · min-1 (low-GlcN group), 6.5 mg · kg-1 · min-1 (high-GlcN group), or saline (control group) for 6.5 h and exercised on a treadmill for 30 min (17 m/min) at the end of the infusion period. Glucosamine infusion caused a modest increase in basal glycemia in both experimental groups, with no change in tracer-determined basal glucose turnover. During exercise, glucose turnover increased ∼2.2-fold from 46 ± 2 to 101 ± 5 μmol · kg-1 · min-1 in the control group. Glucose turnover increased to a lesser extent in the glucosamine groups and was limited to 88% of control in the low-GlcN group (47 ± 2 to 90 ± 3 μmol · kg-1 · min-1; P < 0.01) and 72% of control in the high-GlcN group (43 ± 1 to 73 ± 3 μmol · kg-1 · min-1; P < 0.01). Similarly, the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) in the control group increased 72% from 6.1 ± 0.2 to 10.5 ± 0.7 ml · kg-1 · min-1 in response to exercise. However, the increase in MCR was only 83% of control in the low-GlcN group (5.2 ± 0.5 to 8.7 ± 0.5 ml · kg-1 · min-1; P < 0.01) and 59% of control in the high-GlcN group (4.5 ± 0.2 to 6.2 ± 0.3 ml · kg-1 · min-1; P < 0.01). Neither glucosamine infusion nor exercise significantly affected plasma insulin or free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations. In conclusion, the infusion of glucosamine, which is known to cause insulin resistance, also impaired exercise-induced glucose uptake. This inhibition was independent of hyperglycemia and FFA levels.
Reduced Vasorelaxant Effect of Carbon Monoxide in Diabetes and the Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Wang Rui , Wang Zunzhe , Wu Lingyun , Hanna Salma Toma , Peterson-Wakeman Robert
Published: March 2007

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenous gaseous factor that relaxes vascular tissues by acting on both the cGMP pathway and calcium-activated K+ (KCa) channels. Whether the vascular effect of CO is altered in diabetes had been unknown. It was found that the CO-induced relaxation of tail artery tissues from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was significantly decreased as compared with that of nondiabetic control rats. The blockade of the cGMP pathway with ODQ (1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one) completely abolished the CO-induced relaxation of diabetic tissues but only partially inhibited the CO effect in normal tissues. Single-channel conductance of KCa channels in diabetic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was not different from that of normal SMCs. However, the sensitivity of KCa channels to CO in diabetic SMCs was significantly reduced. CO (10 μmol/l) induced an 81 ± 24% increase in the mean open probability of single KCa channels in normal SMCs but had no effect in diabetic SMCs. Longterm culture of normal vascular SMCs with 25 mmol/l glucose or 25 mmol/l 3-OMG (3-O-methylglucose) but not 25 mmol/l mannitol significantly reduced the sensitivity of KCa channels to CO. On the Other hand, the sensitivity of KCa channels to CO was regained in diabetic SMCs that were cultured with 5 mmol/l glucose for a prolonged period. The decreased vasorelaxant effect of CO in diabetes represents a novel mechanism for the vascular complications of diabetes, which could be closely related to the glycation of KCa channels in diabetic vascular SMCs.
Serine/Threonine Phosphorylation of IRS-1 Triggers Its Degradation
Authors: Pederson Terry M. , Kramer Deborah L. , Rondinone Cristina M.
Published: March 2007

Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein expression is markedly reduced in many insulin-resistant states, although the mechanism for this downregulation is unclear. In this study, we have investigated the early events in the insulin pathway that trigger the degradation of IRS-1. Incubation of the adipocytes with insulin induced a fast electrophoretic mobility shift of IRS-1 and a subsequent degradation of the protein. Wortmannin and rapamycin blocked this mobility shift of IRS-1, maintained the insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1, and blocked its degradation. In contrast, a glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, a mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase inhibitor, and various protein kinase C inhibitors had no effect. Incubation with okadaic acid increased the serine/threonine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and its degradation, mimicking insulin, and its effect was prevented by the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin, as well as by rapamycin. Treatment of the cells with the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor orthovanadate in the presence of insulin or okadaic acid partially inhibited the degradation of IRS-1. We propose that a rapamycin-dependent pathway participates as a negative regulator of IRS-1, increasing its serine/threonine phosphorylation, which triggers degradation. Thus, regulation of serine/threonine versus tyrosine phosphorylation may modulate IRS-1 degradation, affecting insulin sensitivity.
Gene and Cell-Replacement Therapy in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Halban Philippe A. , Kahn Steven E. , Lernmark Åke , Rhodes Christopher J.
Published: March 2007

Recent advances in molecular and cell biology may allow for the development of novel strategies for the treatment and cure of type 1 diabetes. In particular, it is now possible to envisage restoration of insulin secretion by gene or cell-replacement therapy. The β-cell is, however, remarkably sophisticated, and many of the features of this highly differentiated secretory cell will have to be faithfully mimicked in surrogate cells. In particular, insulin is normally secreted in a well-regulated fashion in rapid response to the metabolic needs of the individual and most specifically (but not exclusively) to changes in circulating levels of glucose. Such regulated secretion will be indispensable in order to avoid both hyper- and hypoglycemic episodes and depends on the ability of cells to store insulin in secretory granules before exocytosis in response to physiological stimuli. Furthermore, any newly created insulin-secreting cell will have to be able to adapt to alterations in insulin requirements that accompany changes with exercise, body weight, and aging. Fine tuning of insulin secretion over the longer term will also be important to avoid “clinical shifting” that could be caused by over-insulinization, including increased adiposity and cardiovascular disease. Finally, it will be necessary to ensure that newly created or implanted (surrogate) β-cells are protected in some way from recognition by the immune system and in particular from autoimmune destruction.
Insulin Activates ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels in Pancreatic β-Cells Through a Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase–Dependent Pathway
Authors: Khan Farrukh A. , Goforth Paulette B. , Zhang Min , Satin Leslie S.
Published: March 2007

Insulin is known to regulate pancreatic β-cell function through the activation of cell surface insulin receptors, phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and -2, and activation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. However, an acute effect of insulin in modulating β-cell electrical activity and its underlying ionic currents has not been reported. Using the perforated patch clamp technique, we found that insulin (1–600 nmol/l) but not IGF-1 (100 nmol/l) reversibly hyperpolarized single mouse β-cells and inhibited their electrical activity. The dose-response relationship for insulin yielded a maximal change (mean ± SE) in membrane potential of −13.6 ± 2.0 mV (P < 0.001) and a 50% effective dose of 25.9 ± 0.1 nmol/l (n = 63). Exposing patched β-cells within intact islets to 200 nmol/l insulin produced similar results, hyperpolarizing islets from −47.7 ± 3.3 to −65.6 ± 3.7 mV (P < 0.0001, n = 11). In single cells, insulin-induced hyperpolarization was associated with a threefold increase in whole-cell conductance from 0.6 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.2 nS (P < 0.001, n = 10) and a shift in the current reversal potential from −25.7 ± 2.5 to −63.7 ± 1.0 mV (P < 0.001 vs. control, n = 9; calculated K+ equilibrium potential = −90 mV). The effects of insulin were reversed by tolbutamide, which decreased cell conductance to 0.5 ± 0.1 nS and shifted the current reversal potential to −25.2 ± 2.3 mV. Insulin-induced β-cell hyperpolarization was sufficient to abolish intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) oscillations measured in pancreatic islets exposed to 10 mmol/l glucose. The application of 100 nmol/l wortmannin to inactivate PI 3-kinase, a key enzyme in insulin signaling, was found to reverse the effects of 100 nmol/l insulin. In cell-attached patches, single ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels were activated by bath-applied insulin and subsequently inhibited by wortmannin. Our data thus demonstrate that insulin activates the KATP channels of single mouse pancreatic β-cells and islets, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization, an inhibition of electrical activity, and the abolition of [Ca2+]i oscillations. We thus propose that locally released insulin might serve as a negative feedback signal within the islet under physiological conditions.
A Role for Protein Phosphatase 2A–Like Activity, but Not Atypical Protein Kinase Cζ, in the Inhibition of Protein Kinase B/Akt and Glycogen Synthesis by Palmitate
Authors: Cazzolli Rosanna , Carpenter Lee , Biden Trevor J. , Schmitz-Peiffer Carsten
Published: March 2007

We have shown previously that palmitate treatment of C2C12 skeletal muscle myotubes causes inhibition of the protein kinase B (PKB) pathway and hence reduces insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis through the elevation of intracellular ceramide levels. Ceramide is known to activate both atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) ζ and protein phosphatase (PP) 2A, and each of these effectors has been reported to inhibit PKB. In the present study, palmitate pretreatment was found to elevate PP2A-like activity in myotubes and to prevent its inhibition by insulin. Incubation with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid before insulin stimulation protected against the effect of the fatty acid on PKB phosphorylation. Palmitate was unable to inhibit PKB activity and glycogen synthesis in cells overexpressing the activated PKB mutant (T308D,S473D)-PKBα, which is unaffected by phosphatase. In contrast, PKB activity and glycogen synthesis were still inhibited by palmitate in cells overexpressing a membrane-targeted and, hence, activated PKB mutant that retains sensitivity to phosphatase. Although aPKC activity was also increased in palmitate-treated cells, overexpression of wild-type or kinase-dead aPKCζ did not alter the inhibitory effects of the lipid on either stimulation of PKB or glycogen synthesis by insulin. We conclude that palmitate disrupts insulin signaling in C2C12 myotubes by promoting PP2A-like activity and, therefore, the dephosphorylation of PKB, which in turn reduces the stimulation of glycogen synthesis.