Role of Leptin in Regulating Renal Phosphate Transport
Authors: Thomas Linto , Al-Masri Sima , Dominguez Rieg Jessica Ann , Rieg Timo 
Published: May 2024

Elevated plasma phosphate (Pi) levels, known as hyperphosphatemia, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality. Although studies have suggested a correlation between obesity and hyperphosphatemia/phosphate toxicity, the root cause of this observation has not been established. Since hyperleptinemia was also found to be associated with abnormalities in bone structure, we hypothesized that effects on renal Pi transport are responsible for this observation. To address this question, we studied hyperleptinemic mice (db/db, n=14) and compared them to wild-type mice (WT, n=10). Blood and urine samples, as well as kidney tissues, were collected and analyzed. Body weight was approximately twice as high in db/db compared to WT mice (59±3 vs. 30±2 g, P<0.05). Plasma Pi levels in db/db mice were significantly greater (~1.5-fold) compared to WT mice (2.6±0.1 vs. 1.7±0.1 mmol/L, P<0.05). However, urinary Pi /creatinine ratios were similar between genotypes. Plasma Ca2+ levels in db/db mice were significantly higher compared to WT mice (2.68±0.03 vs. 2.48±0.03 mmol/L, P<0.05) alongside urinary Ca2+/creatinine ratios being significantly higher in db/db mice compared to WT mice (1.6±0.4 vs. 0.3±0.1 mmol/mmol, P<0.05). Plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH, regulating Pi and Ca2+) levels were similar in both genotypes. The phosphaturic hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which is produced and released from bone, was slightly but significantly elevated in db/db compared to WT mice (254±12 vs. 227±18 pg/mL, P<0.05). Bone formation markers (osteocalcin and procollagen type I N-propeptide) and bone resorption markers (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) were similar between genotypes, indicating that Pi and Ca2+ release from bone may not be causing these mineral differences. To determine the role of the kidney for the development of hyperphosphatemia, we performed 32P radiotracer studies in acutely isolated renal brush border membrane vesicles. Sodium-dependent 32P transport was not significantly different between genotypes. To determine the ambient in vivo contribution of the Na+-Pi cotransporter Npt2a, we employed acute pharmacological inhibition with PF-06869206 (Npt2a inhibitor, 30 mg/kg b.w, n=7) or vehicle (n=11) and compared plasma Pi before and 2 hours after administration in db/db mice. Vehicle treatment slightly increased plasma Pi levels compared to baseline (2.6±0.1 vs. 2.1±0.1 mmol/L, P<0.05); in contrast, the Npt2a inhibitor significantly reduced (~50%) plasma Pi levels compared to baseline (1.3±0.1 vs. 2.5±0.1 mmol/L, P<0.05). In summary, our study demonstrates that hyperphosphatemia in db/db mice is not caused by changes in renal Pi transport or bone turnover, suggesting that possibly intestinal mechanisms are responsible for increased Pi, and possibly Ca2+, absorption. Of note, Npt2a inhibition was effective in reducing hyperphosphatemia in db/db mice, indicating a potential therapeutic strategy. This work was supported by a VA Merit Review Award IBX004968A (to Dr. Rieg) and a Pilot Project from the USF Microbiomes Institute (to T.R. and J.D.R). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.