# Short-Chain Fatty Acid Propionate Alleviates Akt2 Knockout-Induced Myocardial Contractile Dysfunction

Authors: Linlin Li; Yinan Hua; Jun Ren
Journal: Experimental Diabetes Research
 (2012)

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## Abstract

Background and Aims. Dysregulation of Akt has been implicated in diseases such as cancer and diabetes, although little is known about the role of Akt deficiency on cardiomyocyte contractile function. This study was designed to examine the effect of Akt2 knockout-induced cardiomyocyte contractile response and the effect of dietary supplementation of short-chain fatty acid propionate on Akt2 knockout-induced cardiac dysfunction, if any. Methods and Results. Adult male wild-type (WT) and Akt2 knockout mice were treated with propionate (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) or vehicle for 7 days. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Cardiomyocyte contractile function and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed. Expression of insulin-signaling molecules Akt, PTEN, GSK3β, and eNOS receptors for short-chain fatty acids GPR41, and GPR43 as well as protein phosphatase PP2AA, PP2AB, PP2C were evaluated using Western blot analysis. Our results revealed that Akt2 knockout led to overt glucose intolerance, compromised cardiomyocyte contractile function (reduced peak shortening and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening as well as prolonged relengthening), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased GPR41 and elevated GPR43 expression, all of which, with the exception of glucose intolerance and elevated GPR43 level, were significantly attenuated by propionate. Neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate affected the expression of protein phosphatases, eNOS, pan, and phosphorylated PTEN and GSK3β. Conclusions. Taken together, these data depicted that Akt2 knockout may elicit cardiomyocyte contractile and mitochondrial defects and a beneficial role of propionate or short-chain fatty acids against Akt2 deficiency-induced cardiac anomalies.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Cardiovascular disease, in particular heart disease, is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA and the rest of the world. Many risk factors have been confirmed for cardiovascular diseases including diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, hypertension, and obesity [1–3]. Among these devastating factors, insulin resistance is the most recent attention due to the obesity pandemic [2, 4]. Although a number of scenarios have been postulated including dyslipidemia, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum, and oxidative stress for insulin resistance-induced cardiovascular dysfunction [5–10], the precise mechanisms behind cardiac dysfunction in insulin resistance are still elusive thus making adequate clinical management somewhat ineffective. Although diet and exercise exhibit beneficial effects in retarding the progression of insulin resistance-associated cardiac anomalies, although the lifestyle remedies fail to eradicate the cardiac pathologies [11]. Therefore, recent attention has been geared towards identifying possible novel therapy to either increase insulin sensitivity or circumvent insulin resistance-induced impairment in the heart.Insulin-receptor signaling plays an essential role in the regulation of myocardial oxidative phosphorylation and myocardial contractile function [3, 12]. This is supported by the fact that insulin-receptor knockout drastically dampens the oxidative phosphorylation and exacerbates cardiac dysfunction [13, 14]. Although insulin-receptor signaling is highly complex, involving a cascade of signaling molecules, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway is deemed the main player governing the majority of metabolic properties of insulin, and thus represents an important component in the insulin-signaling network [15, 16]. Akt is a serine/threonine kinase directly downstream of PI3K to mediate the metabolic actions of insulin [15]. Dysregulation of Akt has been documented in a number of diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders [17–19]. As a matter of fact, the onset of insulin resistance and diabetes is often linked to changes in Akt phosphorylation. Akt2 knockout has been demonstrated to trigger global insulin resistance [20]. Nonetheless, a number of mechanisms independent or upstream of Akt may also contribute to the onset and progression of insulin resistance such as upregulation of TNF-α and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B [21].Recent evidence has suggested a role of dietary fiber (nonstarch polysaccharides) and a resistant starch in the protection against insulin resistance and overall metabolic syndrome [22, 23]. Dietary fiber and resistance starch may escape digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and undergo anaerobic fermentation in the colon. This process produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), predominantly acetate, propionate, and butyrate, as the major by-products. SCFAs are known to possess significant biological effects on colonic epithelium both in vivoand in vitro[24]. Experimental evidence indicated that propionate is capable of stimulating insulin secretion. Supplementation of propionate in baboons was found to lower the postprandial blood-glucose responsiveness [25]. However, dietary supplementation with propionate also decreased fasting serum glucose and maximal insulin increments during a subsequent oral glucose tolerance test [25].Given that cardiac dysfunction is a major complication in insulin resistance and that Akt-signaling anomalies have been implicated in cardiac dysfunction [17, 26, 27], this study was undertaken to examine the effect of Akt2 knockout on cardiomyocyte dysfunction, if any, and the impact of propionate treatment on Akt2 knockout-induced cardiomyocyte responses. In an effort to elucidate the mechanisms of action involved in Akt2 knockout and propionate-induced cardiomyocyte mechanical and mitochondrial responses, crucial protein markers of insulin signaling such as Akt, phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 (PTEN), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), eNOS, and protein phosphatase, which usually negatively regulates insulin signaling [28], were examined in hearts from wild-type (WT) and Akt2 knockout mice.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Experimental Animals and Propionate Treatment

The experimental procedures described in this paper were approved by the University of Wyoming Animal Use and Care Committee (Laramie, Wyo, USA). In brief, 5-6-month-old adult male Akt knockout and the age-/gender-matched wild-type (WT) mice were used. Production of the Akt knockout mice was described in detail previously [20]. All mice were housed in a temperature-controlled room under a 12 hr/12 hr-light/dark and allowed access to tap water ad libitum in the School of Pharmacy Animal Facility. Akt knockout and wild-type mice were randomly assigned to receive either propionate (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (saline) for 7 days.


### 2.2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at the beginning and the end of the treatment-period following a 6-hr fasting period described previously [27]. Briefly, 2 g/kg glucose was given using gavage following which blood-glucose levels were measured using a glucometer (Accu-CheckII, model 792; Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Ind, USA) immediately before the glucose challenge or at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min thereafter.


### 2.3. Isolation of Murine Cardiomyocytes

Single cardiomyocytes were enzymatically isolated as described [27]. Briefly, hearts were removed and perfused (37°C) with oxygenated (5% CO2 : 95% O2) Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate (KHB) buffer containing (in mM) 118 NaCl, 4.7 KCl,  1.2 MgSO4, 1.2 KH2PO4, 25 NaHCO3, 10 HEPES, and 11.1 glucose. Hearts were subsequently perfused with a Ca2+-free KHB-buffer that contains Liberase Blendzyme (10 mg/mL; Roche, Indianapolis, Ind, USA) for 15 min. After perfusion, left ventricles were removed and minced to disperse the individual ventricular myocytes in Ca2+-free KHB-buffer. Extracellular Ca2+ was added incrementally to 1.25 mM. Myocytes with obvious sarcolemmal blebs or spontaneous contractions were not used. Only rod-shaped myocytes with clear edges were selected for the recording of mechanical properties or intracellular Ca2+ transients.


### 2.4. Cell Shortening/Relengthening

Mechanical properties of cardiomyocytes were assessed using an SoftEdge MyoCam system (IonOptixCorp., Milton, Mass, USA) [27].  Myocytes were placed in a chamber mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope (Olympus IX-70) and superfused with a buffer containing (in mM) 131 NaCl, 4 KCl, 1 CaCl2, 1 MgCl2, 10 glucose, and 10 HEPES, at pH 7.4. The cells were field stimulated with a suprathreshold voltage and at a frequency of 0.5 Hz (3 ms duration) with the use of a pair of platinum wires placed on opposite sides of the chamber connected to an FHC Inc. stimulator (Frederick Haer & Co., Brunswick, Neb, USA). The soft-edge software (IonOptix) was used to capture changes in cell length during contraction. Cell shortening and relengthening were assessed including peak shortening (PS): peak contractility, time-to-PS (TPS): contraction duration, time-to-90% relengthening (TR90): relaxation duration, and maximal velocities of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt): maximal pressure development and decline.


### 2.5. Measurement of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP)

Murine cardiomyocytes were suspended in HEPES-saline buffer, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was detected as described [29]. Briefly, after incubation with JC-1 (5 μM) for 10 min at 37°C, cells were rinsed twice by sedimentation using the HEPES saline buffer free of JC-1 before being examined under a confocal laser-scanning microscope (Leica TCS SP2) at excitation wavelength of 490 nm. The emission of fluorescence was recorded at 530 nm (monomer form of JC-1, green) and at 590 nm (aggregate form of JC-1, red). Results in fluorescence intensity were expressed as 590-to-530-nm emission ratio.


### 2.6. Western Blot Analysis

Protein expressions of Akt, PTEN, PP2AA, PP2AB, PP2C, GSK3β, eNOS, GPR41, and GPR43 were examined by Western blot analysis. Left ventricular tissues were homogenized and centrifuged at 70,000 g for 20 min at 4°C. The supernatants were used for immunoblotting. The extracted proteins were separated on 10–15% SDS-polyacrylamide gels and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. After being blocked, the membrane was incubated with anti-Akt (1 : 1,000), anti-phospho-Akt (pAkt, 1 : 1,000), anti-PTEN (1 : 1,000), anti-phospho-PTEN (pPTEN, 1 : 1,000), anti-PP2AA (1 : 1,000), anti-PP2AB (1 : 1,000), anti-PP2C (1 : 1,000), anti-GSK3β (1 : 1,000), anti-phospho-GSK3β (1 : 1,000), anti-eNOS (1 : 1,000), anti-GPR41 (1 : 1,000), anti-GPR43 (1 : 1,000), and anti-β-actin (loading control, 1 : 2,000) antibodies at 4°C overnight. All antibodies were obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, Calif, USA) or Cell Signaling Technology (Beverly, Mass, USA). After incubation with the primary antibodies, blots were incubated with horseradish peroxidase-linked secondary antibodies (1 : 5,000) for 60 min at room temperature. Immunoreactive bands were detected using the Super Signal West Dura Extended Duration Substrate (Pierce, Milwaukee, Wis, USA). The intensity of bands was measured with a scanning densitometer (Model GS-800; Bio-Rad) coupled with a Bio-Rad personal computer analysis software [27].


### 2.7. Statistical Analysis

Data were mean ± SEM. Statistical significance (P< 0.05) for each variable was determined by a one-way ANOVA (two-way for OGTT) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.


## 2.1. Experimental Animals and Propionate Treatment

The experimental procedures described in this paper were approved by the University of Wyoming Animal Use and Care Committee (Laramie, Wyo, USA). In brief, 5-6-month-old adult male Akt knockout and the age-/gender-matched wild-type (WT) mice were used. Production of the Akt knockout mice was described in detail previously [20]. All mice were housed in a temperature-controlled room under a 12 hr/12 hr-light/dark and allowed access to tap water ad libitum in the School of Pharmacy Animal Facility. Akt knockout and wild-type mice were randomly assigned to receive either propionate (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (saline) for 7 days.


## 2.2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at the beginning and the end of the treatment-period following a 6-hr fasting period described previously [27]. Briefly, 2 g/kg glucose was given using gavage following which blood-glucose levels were measured using a glucometer (Accu-CheckII, model 792; Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Ind, USA) immediately before the glucose challenge or at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min thereafter.


## 2.3. Isolation of Murine Cardiomyocytes

Single cardiomyocytes were enzymatically isolated as described [27]. Briefly, hearts were removed and perfused (37°C) with oxygenated (5% CO2 : 95% O2) Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate (KHB) buffer containing (in mM) 118 NaCl, 4.7 KCl,  1.2 MgSO4, 1.2 KH2PO4, 25 NaHCO3, 10 HEPES, and 11.1 glucose. Hearts were subsequently perfused with a Ca2+-free KHB-buffer that contains Liberase Blendzyme (10 mg/mL; Roche, Indianapolis, Ind, USA) for 15 min. After perfusion, left ventricles were removed and minced to disperse the individual ventricular myocytes in Ca2+-free KHB-buffer. Extracellular Ca2+ was added incrementally to 1.25 mM. Myocytes with obvious sarcolemmal blebs or spontaneous contractions were not used. Only rod-shaped myocytes with clear edges were selected for the recording of mechanical properties or intracellular Ca2+ transients.


## 2.4. Cell Shortening/Relengthening

Mechanical properties of cardiomyocytes were assessed using an SoftEdge MyoCam system (IonOptixCorp., Milton, Mass, USA) [27].  Myocytes were placed in a chamber mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope (Olympus IX-70) and superfused with a buffer containing (in mM) 131 NaCl, 4 KCl, 1 CaCl2, 1 MgCl2, 10 glucose, and 10 HEPES, at pH 7.4. The cells were field stimulated with a suprathreshold voltage and at a frequency of 0.5 Hz (3 ms duration) with the use of a pair of platinum wires placed on opposite sides of the chamber connected to an FHC Inc. stimulator (Frederick Haer & Co., Brunswick, Neb, USA). The soft-edge software (IonOptix) was used to capture changes in cell length during contraction. Cell shortening and relengthening were assessed including peak shortening (PS): peak contractility, time-to-PS (TPS): contraction duration, time-to-90% relengthening (TR90): relaxation duration, and maximal velocities of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt): maximal pressure development and decline.


## 2.5. Measurement of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP)

Murine cardiomyocytes were suspended in HEPES-saline buffer, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was detected as described [29]. Briefly, after incubation with JC-1 (5 μM) for 10 min at 37°C, cells were rinsed twice by sedimentation using the HEPES saline buffer free of JC-1 before being examined under a confocal laser-scanning microscope (Leica TCS SP2) at excitation wavelength of 490 nm. The emission of fluorescence was recorded at 530 nm (monomer form of JC-1, green) and at 590 nm (aggregate form of JC-1, red). Results in fluorescence intensity were expressed as 590-to-530-nm emission ratio.


## 2.6. Western Blot Analysis

Protein expressions of Akt, PTEN, PP2AA, PP2AB, PP2C, GSK3β, eNOS, GPR41, and GPR43 were examined by Western blot analysis. Left ventricular tissues were homogenized and centrifuged at 70,000 g for 20 min at 4°C. The supernatants were used for immunoblotting. The extracted proteins were separated on 10–15% SDS-polyacrylamide gels and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. After being blocked, the membrane was incubated with anti-Akt (1 : 1,000), anti-phospho-Akt (pAkt, 1 : 1,000), anti-PTEN (1 : 1,000), anti-phospho-PTEN (pPTEN, 1 : 1,000), anti-PP2AA (1 : 1,000), anti-PP2AB (1 : 1,000), anti-PP2C (1 : 1,000), anti-GSK3β (1 : 1,000), anti-phospho-GSK3β (1 : 1,000), anti-eNOS (1 : 1,000), anti-GPR41 (1 : 1,000), anti-GPR43 (1 : 1,000), and anti-β-actin (loading control, 1 : 2,000) antibodies at 4°C overnight. All antibodies were obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, Calif, USA) or Cell Signaling Technology (Beverly, Mass, USA). After incubation with the primary antibodies, blots were incubated with horseradish peroxidase-linked secondary antibodies (1 : 5,000) for 60 min at room temperature. Immunoreactive bands were detected using the Super Signal West Dura Extended Duration Substrate (Pierce, Milwaukee, Wis, USA). The intensity of bands was measured with a scanning densitometer (Model GS-800; Bio-Rad) coupled with a Bio-Rad personal computer analysis software [27].


## 2.7. Statistical Analysis

Data were mean ± SEM. Statistical significance (P< 0.05) for each variable was determined by a one-way ANOVA (two-way for OGTT) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Effect of Propionate Treatment on Whole-Body Glucose Tolerance

Oral-glucose tolerance was performed at the end of the 7-day propionate treatment. Following the oral-glucose challenge, serum-glucose levels in WT mice started to decline after peaking at 30 min and returned back to near baseline levels at 120 min. In contrast to the WT mice, Akt2 knockout mice displayed glucose intolerance as evidenced by a higher area under the curve (AUC) although neither basal- nor postchallenge glucose levels were significantly different between WT and Akt2 knockout mice. Propionate treatment failed to affect basal blood glucose or glucose-disposal rate following oral-glucose ingestion in either WT or Akt2 knockout mice. AUC in Akt2 knockout mice remains significantly greater compared to the WT group (Figure1).Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 2 g/kg body weight) in WT and Akt2 knockout (AKTKO) mice treated with or without propionate (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) for 7 days. (a) OGTT curve; (b) Area underneath the curve plotted in panel A. Mean ± SEM,n=7-8 mice per group, and  *P<0.05 versus WT group.
(a)(b)


### 3.2. Effect of Propionate Treatment on Mechanical and Mitochondrial Properties of Cardiomyocytes

Mechanical properties revealed that the resting cell length was similar in cardiomyocytes from WT and Akt2 knockout mice with or without propionate treatment. Cardiomyocytes from Akt2 knockout mice displayed significantly reduced peak shortening and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (± dL/dt), prolonged time-to-90% relengthening (TR90) associated with unchanged time-to-peak shortening (TPS) compared with those from the WT mice. Interestingly, these mechanical changes were ablated in Akt2 knockout mice receiving propionate while propionate itself failed to affect cardiomyocyte mechanical properties in cardiomyocytes from WT mice (Figure 2). In order to better understand the mechanism(s) underneath propionate-exerted beneficial effect against Akt2 knockout-induced myocardial contractile defect, JC-1 fluorescence was used to measure MMP. Cardiomyocytes from Akt2 knockout mice displayed significantly decreased MMP at both 30 min and 90 min, the effect of which was also reconciled by propionate treatment. Propionate itself did not alter MMP levels in WT mice (Figure 3).Cardiomyocyte mechanical function in WT and Akt2 knockout (AKTKO) mice treated with or without propionate (0.3 g/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. (a) Resting cell length; (b) peak shortening (PS, normalized to resting cell length); (c) maximal velocity of shortening (+ dL/dt); (d) maximal velocity of relengthening (− dL/dt); (e) time-to-PS (TPS); (f) time-to-90% relengthening (TR90). Mean ± SEM, n=103-104 cells per group, *P < 0.05 versus WT group, and #P < 0.05 versus AKTKO group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)Cardiomyocyte mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in WT and Akt2 knockout (AKTKO) mice treated with or without propionate (0.3 g/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. MMP was measured using JC-1 fluorochrome (ratio of red to green fluorescence). (a) MMP at 30 min; (b) MMP at 90 min. Mean ± SEM,n=6-7 isolations, *P < 0.05 versus WT group, and #P < 0.05 versus AKTKO group.
(a)(b)


### 3.3. Effects of Propionate Treatment on Akt and PTEN Signaling

Western blot analysis revealed an overtly reduced expression of Akt in Akt2 knockout mice, validating the knockout model. Phosphorylation of Akt was significantly reduced in Akt2 knockout mice (although the normalized Akt phosphorylation was unchanged after normalizing to pan Akt level). Propionate treatment failed to alter pan or phosphorylated Akt levels in Akt2 knockout mice, although it significantly attenuated Akt activation (absolute or normalized values) without affecting pan Akt level in WT mice. Neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate treatment, or both, affected the levels of pan and phosphorylated PTEN (Figure4).Effect of propionate treatment (0.3 g/kg, i.p. for 7 days) on Akt knockout-induced change in pan and phosphorylated Akt and PTEN. (a) Pan Akt; (b) pan PTEN; (c) phosphorylated Akt (pAkt); (d) phosphorylated PTEN (pPTEN); (e) pAkt-to-Akt ratio; (f) pPTEN-to-PTEN ratio. Insets: representative gel blots depicting expression and phosphorylation of these proteins using specific antibodies.β-Actin was used as the loading control. Mean ± SEM, n=4-5 mice per group, and *P < 0.05 versus WT group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)


### 3.4. Effects of Propionate on Protein Phosphatase Expression

To explore if protein phosphatase plays a role in Akt knockout or propionate-induced cardiac responses, expression of protein phosphatases PP2AA, PP2AB, and PP2C was evaluated. The results shown in Figure5 demonstrate that neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate treatment, or both, affected the expression of PP2AA, PP2AB, and PP2C with the exception of downregulated PP2AA levels in response to the combination of Akt2 knockout and propionate.Effect of propionate treatment (0.3 g/kg, i.p. for 7 days) on Akt knockout-induced change in protein phosphatase levels. (a) Representative gel blots depicting expression of PP2AA, PP2AB, PP2C, andβ-actin (loading control) using specific antibodies; (b) PP2AA; (c) PP2AB; (d) PP2C. Mean ± SEM, n=4-5 per group, and *P < 0.05 versus WT group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


### 3.5. Effects of Propionate on GSK3β, eNOS, GPR41, and GPR43 Expression

As depicted in Figure6, Western blot analysis further revealed that neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate altered the expression of eNOS, pan and phosphorylated GSK3β (or the pGSK3β-toGSK3β ratio). Akt2 knockout significantly down- and upregulated the expression of GPR41 and GPR43, respectively. Although propionate treatment itself did not affect the expression of GPR41 and GPR43 in WT mice, it abolished the downregulated GPR41 without affecting the upregulated GPR43 under Akt2 deficiency.Effect of propionate treatment (0.3 g/kg, i.p. for 7 days) on Akt knockout-induced change in pan and phosphorylated GSK3β, eNOS, GPR41, and PGR43 levels. (a) pGSK3β-to-GSK3β ratio; (b) eNOS expression; (c) GPR41 expression; (d) GPR43 expression. Insets: representative gel blots depicting expression and/or phosphorylation of these proteins using specific antibodies. β-Actin was used as the loading control. Mean ± SEM, n=4-5 mice per group, *P < 0.05 versus WT group, and #P < 0.05 versus AKTKO group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.1. Effect of Propionate Treatment on Whole-Body Glucose Tolerance

Oral-glucose tolerance was performed at the end of the 7-day propionate treatment. Following the oral-glucose challenge, serum-glucose levels in WT mice started to decline after peaking at 30 min and returned back to near baseline levels at 120 min. In contrast to the WT mice, Akt2 knockout mice displayed glucose intolerance as evidenced by a higher area under the curve (AUC) although neither basal- nor postchallenge glucose levels were significantly different between WT and Akt2 knockout mice. Propionate treatment failed to affect basal blood glucose or glucose-disposal rate following oral-glucose ingestion in either WT or Akt2 knockout mice. AUC in Akt2 knockout mice remains significantly greater compared to the WT group (Figure1).Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 2 g/kg body weight) in WT and Akt2 knockout (AKTKO) mice treated with or without propionate (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) for 7 days. (a) OGTT curve; (b) Area underneath the curve plotted in panel A. Mean ± SEM,n=7-8 mice per group, and  *P<0.05 versus WT group.
(a)(b)


## 3.2. Effect of Propionate Treatment on Mechanical and Mitochondrial Properties of Cardiomyocytes

Mechanical properties revealed that the resting cell length was similar in cardiomyocytes from WT and Akt2 knockout mice with or without propionate treatment. Cardiomyocytes from Akt2 knockout mice displayed significantly reduced peak shortening and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (± dL/dt), prolonged time-to-90% relengthening (TR90) associated with unchanged time-to-peak shortening (TPS) compared with those from the WT mice. Interestingly, these mechanical changes were ablated in Akt2 knockout mice receiving propionate while propionate itself failed to affect cardiomyocyte mechanical properties in cardiomyocytes from WT mice (Figure 2). In order to better understand the mechanism(s) underneath propionate-exerted beneficial effect against Akt2 knockout-induced myocardial contractile defect, JC-1 fluorescence was used to measure MMP. Cardiomyocytes from Akt2 knockout mice displayed significantly decreased MMP at both 30 min and 90 min, the effect of which was also reconciled by propionate treatment. Propionate itself did not alter MMP levels in WT mice (Figure 3).Cardiomyocyte mechanical function in WT and Akt2 knockout (AKTKO) mice treated with or without propionate (0.3 g/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. (a) Resting cell length; (b) peak shortening (PS, normalized to resting cell length); (c) maximal velocity of shortening (+ dL/dt); (d) maximal velocity of relengthening (− dL/dt); (e) time-to-PS (TPS); (f) time-to-90% relengthening (TR90). Mean ± SEM, n=103-104 cells per group, *P < 0.05 versus WT group, and #P < 0.05 versus AKTKO group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)Cardiomyocyte mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in WT and Akt2 knockout (AKTKO) mice treated with or without propionate (0.3 g/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. MMP was measured using JC-1 fluorochrome (ratio of red to green fluorescence). (a) MMP at 30 min; (b) MMP at 90 min. Mean ± SEM,n=6-7 isolations, *P < 0.05 versus WT group, and #P < 0.05 versus AKTKO group.
(a)(b)


## 3.3. Effects of Propionate Treatment on Akt and PTEN Signaling

Western blot analysis revealed an overtly reduced expression of Akt in Akt2 knockout mice, validating the knockout model. Phosphorylation of Akt was significantly reduced in Akt2 knockout mice (although the normalized Akt phosphorylation was unchanged after normalizing to pan Akt level). Propionate treatment failed to alter pan or phosphorylated Akt levels in Akt2 knockout mice, although it significantly attenuated Akt activation (absolute or normalized values) without affecting pan Akt level in WT mice. Neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate treatment, or both, affected the levels of pan and phosphorylated PTEN (Figure4).Effect of propionate treatment (0.3 g/kg, i.p. for 7 days) on Akt knockout-induced change in pan and phosphorylated Akt and PTEN. (a) Pan Akt; (b) pan PTEN; (c) phosphorylated Akt (pAkt); (d) phosphorylated PTEN (pPTEN); (e) pAkt-to-Akt ratio; (f) pPTEN-to-PTEN ratio. Insets: representative gel blots depicting expression and phosphorylation of these proteins using specific antibodies.β-Actin was used as the loading control. Mean ± SEM, n=4-5 mice per group, and *P < 0.05 versus WT group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)


## 3.4. Effects of Propionate on Protein Phosphatase Expression

To explore if protein phosphatase plays a role in Akt knockout or propionate-induced cardiac responses, expression of protein phosphatases PP2AA, PP2AB, and PP2C was evaluated. The results shown in Figure5 demonstrate that neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate treatment, or both, affected the expression of PP2AA, PP2AB, and PP2C with the exception of downregulated PP2AA levels in response to the combination of Akt2 knockout and propionate.Effect of propionate treatment (0.3 g/kg, i.p. for 7 days) on Akt knockout-induced change in protein phosphatase levels. (a) Representative gel blots depicting expression of PP2AA, PP2AB, PP2C, andβ-actin (loading control) using specific antibodies; (b) PP2AA; (c) PP2AB; (d) PP2C. Mean ± SEM, n=4-5 per group, and *P < 0.05 versus WT group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 3.5. Effects of Propionate on GSK3β, eNOS, GPR41, and GPR43 Expression

As depicted in Figure6, Western blot analysis further revealed that neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate altered the expression of eNOS, pan and phosphorylated GSK3β (or the pGSK3β-toGSK3β ratio). Akt2 knockout significantly down- and upregulated the expression of GPR41 and GPR43, respectively. Although propionate treatment itself did not affect the expression of GPR41 and GPR43 in WT mice, it abolished the downregulated GPR41 without affecting the upregulated GPR43 under Akt2 deficiency.Effect of propionate treatment (0.3 g/kg, i.p. for 7 days) on Akt knockout-induced change in pan and phosphorylated GSK3β, eNOS, GPR41, and PGR43 levels. (a) pGSK3β-to-GSK3β ratio; (b) eNOS expression; (c) GPR41 expression; (d) GPR43 expression. Insets: representative gel blots depicting expression and/or phosphorylation of these proteins using specific antibodies. β-Actin was used as the loading control. Mean ± SEM, n=4-5 mice per group, *P < 0.05 versus WT group, and #P < 0.05 versus AKTKO group.
(a)(b)(c)(d)


## 4. Discussion

Our results reveal that propionate attenuated Akt2 knockout-induced cardiac contractile and mitochondrial dysfunction. Propionate significantly improved cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction including reduced peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, and prolonged TR90 in Akt2 knockout mice. Furthermore, the Akt2 knockout-triggered loss in MMP and reduced expression of GPR41 were ameliorated by propionate. Neither Akt2 knockout nor propionate significantly affected the levels of protein phosphatases, eNOS, both pan and phosphorylated forms of PTEN and GSK3β. These data depicted that Akt2 knockout may elicit cardiomyocyte contractile and mitochondrial defects and a beneficial role of propionate against Akt2 deficiency-induced cardiac mechanical anomalies. Our findings have revealed therapeutic potential of propionate and other SCFAs in insulin resistance-associated cardiac dysfunction.Our data confirmed that the Akt2 knockout model may serve as an insulin resistance model. These findings support the pivotal role of Akt in the regulation of glucose metabolism and myocardial function [17–19]. Although the baseline glucose levels from Akt2 knockout mice were somewhat similar to those from the WT mice, the area underneath OGTT curve was significantly greater in the Akt2 knockout mice. These data validated the presence of insulin resistance in Akt2 knockout model, consistent with the notion of insulin resistance in this murine model [20]. Along the same line, cardiomyocytes from Akt2 knockout mice exhibited reduced peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (± dL/dt) as well as prolonged relengthening duration (TR90) associated with comparable resting cell length and duration of shortening (TPS) compared WT group.  These findings are somewhat consistent with our earlier findings using a sucrose or high fat diet-induced insulin resistance model [26, 27, 30]. More importantly, our data revealed that propionate treatment for 7 days was effective in reversing cardiomyocyte mechanical myocardial dysfunction in Akt2 knockout mice. These compromised cardiomyocyte mechanical parameters are reconciled by propionate treatment.A number of mechanisms may be speculated for Akt2 knockout-induced cardiomyocyte anomalies and propionate-offered cardioprotection. First, emerging evidence has indicated a role of mitochondrial function in the pathogenesis and management of cardiac dysfunction in insulin resistance [3]. Using mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of the heavy metal scavenger metallothionein, we found that reduction of cardiac oxidative stress by metallothionein protects against high fat diet-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction through protection against mitochondrial damage [31]. Our current findings exhibited that treatment with propionate is capable of alleviating Akt2 knockout-induced loss of MMP. It is plausible to speculate that propionate-elicited beneficial effects against Akt2 knockout-induced cardiomyocyte functional defects may be mediated via alleviation of mitochondrial anomalies. Mitochondria play a central role in the control of energy metabolism, cell survival, and myocardial function [3]. Among many cell signaling cascades involved in the regulation of cardiac structure and function, Akt is known to exert a wide range of regulatory responses on mitochondrial biology [32]. Emerging research continues to unveil novel mechanisms governing the protective effects of Akt signaling in the context of cardiac mitochondria. For example, recent findings have suggested pivotal roles of hexokinase and Pim-1 kinase in the preservation of mitochondrial function downstream of Akt [32]. Moreover, Akt is capable of suppressing mitochondrial permeation pore opening, thus protecting mitochondrial integrity via phosphorylation of GSK-3β [33]. Second, our data revealed that propionate reconciled Akt2 knockout-induced loss in the receptors for short-chain fatty acids GPR41. This is somewhat consistent with the recent report that SCFAs regulate sympathetic nervous system thus to control body energy expenditure and metabolic homeostasis via GPR41 [34]. On the contrary, Akt2 knockout significantly upregulated the level of another receptor for SCFAs, namely, GPR43, the effect of which was unaffected by propionate. These findings suggested a role of GPR41 but not GPR43 in propionate-offered beneficial cardiac effects. GPR41 and GPR43 are deemed as orphan G-protein coupled receptors that vary in specificity for individual SCFAs, intracellular signaling, and tissue localization [35, 36]. GPR43 exhibits comparable agonist activities for acetate, propionate, and butyrate, whereas GPR41 displays remarkable discrepancies in the rank order for receptor affinity (propionate ≥ butyrate > acetate) [35, 36]. Our findings revealed that both receptors may play a role in Akt2 knockout-induced cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction, although only GPR41 (with a much higher affinity for propionate) may be responsible for the beneficial effect elicited by propionate. Further study is warranted to better elucidate the mechanism of action behind GPR41- and GPR43-elicited metabolic and functional regulation in the heart. Our data failed to identify any changes in the levels of protein phosphatases, eNOS, pan and phosphorylated forms of PTEN and GSK3β in either Akt2 knockout or propionate treatment group, thus not favoring a role of these signaling molecules in our current experimental settings. The levels of Akt were greatly diminished in Akt2 mice, validating the murine model. However, the Akt phosphorylation (ratio between pAkt and Akt) remains unchanged, possibly due to the remaining Akt2 or Akt1 levels in these hearts. To our surprise, propionate treatment itself overtly dampened phosphorylation of Akt although the precise mechanism of action involved is still elusive at this time. Together with the notion that dietary fiber and SCFAs may be beneficial to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome [22, 23], our findings have unveiled promises of SCFAs in the treatment of cardiac pathologies in insulin resistance and other metabolic disturbances.Epidemiological evidence has depicted the beneficial effect of dietary fiber in the clinical management of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases [37]. In particular, dietary fibers improve fecal bulking and satiety, viscosity and SCFA production, and reduce glycemic response. The mechanism of action most likely responsible for the beneficial role of SCFAs involves the interference with lipid digestion, cholesterol, and bile acid absorption, or with lipid transport and deposition [37]. Moreover, although glucose may serve as the main metabolic fuel, SCFAs produced by colonic bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber furnish a significant portion of daily energy requirement [34, 38]. Maintenance of energy homeostasis is critical for life, and the dysregulation of which results in metabolic disorders [34], depicting an important role of SCFAs in the management of metabolic diseases. Nonetheless, the nutritional impact of SCFAs may be easily confounded by changes in the relative glycemic index of the test diets, thus the results may not truly reflect the sole impact of fermentation or changes in SCFAs [37]. Further in-depth study is warranted to explore the complex nutritional and physiological effects of dietary fibers and SCFAs.In conclusion, results from our current study offers evidence, for the first time, that Akt2 knockout compromised cardiomyocyte contractile and mitochondrial dysfunction, the effects of which may be alleviated by short-term treatment of propionate. In light of the present dismal status for successful management against insulin resistance-associated cardiac anomalies, it is tempting to speculate that propionate and SCFAs may be of some particular clinical value in the treatment and prevention of cardiac diseases associated with insulin resistance.



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