Control of Steroid 21-oic Acid Synthesis by Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor and Role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

A previous study identified the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) activation biomarkers 21-steroid carboxylic acids 11beta-hydroxy-3,20-dioxopregn-4-en-21-oic acid (HDOPA) and 11beta,20-dihydroxy-3-oxo-pregn-4-en-21-oic acid (DHOPA). In the present study, the molecular mechanism and the metabolic pathway of their production were determined. The PPARalpha-specific time-dependent increases in HDOPA and 20alpha-DHOPA paralleled the development of adrenal cortex hyperplasia, hypercortisolism, and spleen atrophy, which was attenuated in adrenalectomized mice. Wy-14,643 activation of PPARalpha induced hepatic FGF21, which caused increased neuropeptide Y and agouti-related protein mRNAs in the hypothalamus, stimulation of the agouti-related protein/neuropeptide Y neurons, and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in increased adrenal cortex hyperplasia and corticosterone production, revealing a link between PPARalpha and the HPA axis in controlling energy homeostasis and immune regulation. Corticosterone was demonstrated as the precursor of 21-carboxylic acids both in vivo and in vitro. Under PPARalpha activation, the classic reductive metabolic pathway of corticosterone was suppressed, whereas an alternative oxidative pathway was uncovered that leads to the sequential oxidation on carbon 21 resulting in HDOPA. The latter was then reduced to the end product 20alpha-DHOPA. Hepatic cytochromes P450, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3A2), and 21-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C18) were found to be involved in this pathway. Activation of PPARalpha resulted in the induction of Aldh3a2 and Akr1c18, both of which were confirmed as target genes through introduction of promoter luciferase reporter constructs into mouse livers in vivo. This study underscores the power of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics combined with genomic and physiologic analyses in identifying downstream metabolic biomarkers and the corresponding upstream molecular mechanisms.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} coactivator 1{alpha} (PGC-1{alpha}) promotes skeletal muscle lipid refueling in vivo by activating de novo lipogenesis and the pentose phosphate pathway

Exercise induces a pleiotropic adaptive response in skeletal muscle, largely through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1 (PGC-1 ). PGC-1 enhances lipid oxidation and thereby provides energy for sustained muscle contraction. Its potential implication in promoting muscle refueling remains unresolved, however. Here, we investigated a possible role of elevated PGC-1 levels in skeletal muscle lipogenesis in vivo and the molecular mechanisms that underlie PGC-1 -mediated de novo lipogenesis. To this end, we studied transgenic mice with physiological overexpression of PGC-1 and human muscle biopsies pre- and post-exercise. We demonstrate that PGC-1 enhances lipogenesis in skeletal muscle through liver X receptor -dependent activation of the fatty acid synthase (FAS) promoter and by increasing FAS activity. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we establish a direct interaction between PGC-1 and the liver X receptor-responsive element in the FAS promoter. Moreover, we show for the first time that increased glucose uptake and activation of the pentose phosphate pathway provide substrates for RNA synthesis and cofactors for de novo lipogenesis. Similarly, we observed increased lipogenesis and lipid levels in human muscle biopsies that were obtained post-exercise. Our findings suggest that PGC-1 coordinates lipogenesis, intramyocellular lipid accumulation, and substrate oxidation in exercised skeletal muscle in vivo.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-(gamma) receptor ligand partially prevents the development of endometrial explants in baboons: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in a baboon model to determine if a thiazolidinedione agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, pioglitazone, can impede the development of endometriosis. Endometriosis was induced using laparoscopic, intrapelvic injection of eutopic menstrual endometrium, previously incubated with placebo or pioglitazone for 30 min, in 12 female baboons with a normal pelvis that had undergone at least one menstrual cycle since the time of captivity. At this point, the 12 baboons were randomized into two groups and treated from the day of induction. They received either PBS tablets (n = 6, placebo control, placebo tablets once a day by mouth) or pioglitazone (n = 6, test drug, 7.5 mg by mouth each day). A second and final laparoscopy was performed in the baboons to record the extent of endometriotic lesions between 24 and 42 d after induction (no difference in length of treatment between the two groups, P = 0.38). A videolaparoscopy was performed to document the number and surface area of endometriotic lesions. The surface area and volume of endometriotic lesions were significantly lower in pioglitazone treated baboons than the placebo group (surface area, 48.6 vs. 159.0 mm(2), respectively, P = 0.049; vol, 23.7 vs. 131.8 mm(3), respectively, P = 0.041). The surface area (3.5 vs. 17.8 mm(2), P = 0.017, pioglizatone vs. placebo) and overall number (1.5 vs. 9.5, P = 0.007, pioglizatone vs. placebo) of red lesions were lower in the pioglitazone group. A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligand, pioglitazone, effectively reduced the initiation of endometriotic disease in the baboon endometriosis model. Using this animal model, we have shown that thiazolidinedione is a promising drug for preventive treatment of endometriosis.

The Ras inhibitors caveolin-1 and docking protein 1 activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? through spatial relocalization at helix 7 of its ligand-binding domain

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) is a transcription factor that promotes differentiation and cell survival in the stomach. PPAR? upregulates and interacts with caveolin-1 (Cav1), a scaffold protein of Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The cytoplasmic-to-nuclear localization of PPAR? is altered in gastric cancer (GC) patients, suggesting a so-far-unknown role for Cav1 in spatial regulation of PPAR? signaling. We show here that loss of Cav1 accelerated proliferation of normal stomach and GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Downregulation of Cav1 increased Ras/MAPK-dependent phosphorylation of serine 84 in PPAR? and enhanced nuclear translocation and ligand-independent transcription of PPAR? target genes. In contrast, Cav1 overexpression sequestered PPAR? in the cytosol through interaction of the Cav1 scaffolding domain (CSD) with a conserved hydrophobic motif in helix 7 of PPAR?'s ligand-binding domain. Cav1 cooperated with the endogenous Ras/MAPK inhibitor docking protein 1 (Dok1) to promote the ligand-dependent transcriptional activity of PPAR? and to inhibit cell proliferation. Ligand-activated PPAR? also reduced tumor growth and upregulated the Ras/MAPK inhibitors Cav1 and Dok1 in a murine model of GC. These results suggest a novel mechanism of PPAR? regulation by which Ras/MAPK inhibitors act as scaffold proteins that sequester and sensitize PPAR? to ligands, limiting proliferation of gastric epithelial cells.

Influence of pregnancy on the adipocytokine and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and rheumatoid arthritis patients

To identify candidate genes that are regulated by human pregnancy and have the potential to modulate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity.

Antagonistic effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein and alpha-tocopherol on CD36 scavenger receptor expression in monocytes: involvement of protein kinase B and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma

Vitamin E deficiency increases expression of the CD36 scavenger receptor, suggesting specific molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways modulated by alpha-tocopherol. We show here that alpha-tocopherol down-regulated CD36 expression (mRNA and protein) in oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-stimulated THP-1 monocytes, but not in unstimulated cells. Furthermore, alpha-tocopherol treatment of monocytes led to reduction of fluorescent oxLDL-3,3'-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate binding and uptake. Protein kinase C (PKC) appears not to be involved because neither activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate nor inhibition by PKC412 was affected by alpha-tocopherol. However, alpha-tocopherol could partially prevent CD36 induction after stimulation with a specific agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma; troglitazone), indicating that this pathway is susceptible to alpha-tocopherol action. Phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) at Ser473 was increased by oxLDL, and alpha-tocopherol could prevent this event. Expression of PKB stimulated the CD36 promoter as well as a PPARgamma element-driven reporter gene, whereas an inactive PKB mutant had no effect. Moreover, coexpression of PPARgamma and PKB led to additive induction of CD36 expression. Altogether, our results support the existence of PKB/PPARgamma signaling pathways that mediate CD36 expression in response to oxLDL. The activation of CD36 expression by PKB suggests that both lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid uptake are stimulated by PKB.

Ontogeny of mRNA abundance of nuclear receptors and nuclear receptor target genes in young cattle

After birth the development of appropriate detoxification mechanisms is important. Nuclear receptors (NR), such as constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha), retinoid receptors (RAR, RXR), and NR target genes are involved in the detoxification of exogenous and endogenous substances. We quantified abundances of hepatic mRNA of NR and several NR target genes (cytochromes, CYP; cytochrome P450 reductase, CPR; UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, UDP) in calves at different ages. Gene expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Abundance of mRNA of CAR and PXR increased from low levels at birth in pre-term calves (P0) and full-term calves (F0) to higher levels in 5-day-old calves (F5) and in 159-day-old veal calves (F159), whereas mRNA levels of PPARalpha did not exhibit significant ontogenetic changes. RARbeta mRNA levels were higher in F5 and F159 than in F0, whereas no age differences were observed for RARalpha levels. Levels of RXRalpha and RXRbeta mRNA were lower in F5 than in P0 and F0. Abundance of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 increased from low levels in P0 and F0 to higher levels in F5 and to highest levels in F159. Abundance of CPR was transiently decreased in F0 and F5 calves. Levels of UGT1A1 mRNA increased from low levels in P0 and F0 to maximal level in F5 and F159. In conclusion, mRNA levels of NR and NR target genes exhibited ontogenetic changes that are likely of importance for handling of xeno- and endobiotics with increasing age.

Cannabinoid receptor ligands as potential anticancer agents--high hopes for new therapies?

OBJECTIVES: The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous lipid signalling network comprising arachidonic-acid-derived ligands, cannabinoid (CB) receptors, transporters and endocannabinoid degrading enzymes. The CB(1) receptor is predominantly expressed in neurons but is also co-expressed with the CB(2) receptor in peripheral tissues. In recent years, CB receptor ligands, including Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, have been proposed as potential anticancer agents. KEY FINDINGS: This review critically discusses the pharmacology of CB receptor activation as a novel therapeutic anticancer strategy in terms of ligand selectivity, tissue specificity and potency. Intriguingly, antitumour effects mediated by cannabinoids are not confined to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation; cannabinoids also reduce angiogenesis, cell migration and metastasis, inhibit carcinogenesis and attenuate inflammatory processes. In the last decade several new selective CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agents have been described, but most studies in the area of cancer research have used non-selective CB ligands. Moreover, many of these ligands exert prominent CB receptor-independent pharmacological effects, such as activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR55, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and the transient receptor potential vanilloid channels. SUMMARY: The role of the endocannabinoid system in tumourigenesis is still poorly understood and the molecular mechanisms of cannabinoid anticancer action need to be elucidated. The development of CB(2)-selective anticancer agents could be advantageous in light of the unwanted central effects exerted by CB(1) receptor ligands. Probably the most interesting question is whether cannabinoids could be useful in chemoprevention or in combination with established chemotherapeutic agents.

Hypoxia aggravates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice lacking hepatocellular PTEN

The metabolic disorders that predispose patients to NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) include insulin resistance and obesity. Repeated hypoxic events, such as occur in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, have been designated as a risk factor in the progression of liver disease in such patients, but the mechanism is unclear, in particular the role of hypoxia. Therefore we studied the influence of hypoxia on the development and progression of steatohepatitis in an experimental mouse model. Mice with a hepatocellular-specific deficiency in the Pten (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) gene, a tumour suppressor, were exposed to a 10% O2 (hypoxic) or 21% O2 (control) atmosphere for 7 days. Haematocrit, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), glucose, triacylglycerols (triglycerides) and insulin tolerance were measured in blood. Histological lesions were quantified. Expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and mitochondrial beta-oxidation, as well as FOXO1 (forkhead box O1), hepcidin and CYP2E1 (cytochrome P450 2E1), were analysed by quantitative PCR. In the animals exposed to hypoxia, the haematocrit increased (60+/-3% compared with 50+/-2% in controls; P<0.01) and the ratio of liver weight/body weight increased (5.4+/-0.2% compared with 4.7+/-0.3% in the controls; P<0.01). Furthermore, in animals exposed to hypoxia, steatosis was more pronounced (P<0.01), and the NAS [NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) activity score] (8.3+/-2.4 compared with 2.3+/-10.7 in controls; P<0.01), serum AST, triacylglycerols and glucose were higher. Insulin sensitivity decreased in mice exposed to hypoxia relative to controls. The expression of the lipogenic genes SREBP-1c (sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-1c), PPAR-gamma (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma), ACC1 (acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1) and ACC2 (acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2) increased significantly in mice exposed to hypoxia, whereas mitochondria beta-oxidation genes [PPAR-alpha (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-alpha) and CPT-1 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1)] decreased significantly. In conclusion, the findings of the present study demonstrate that hypoxia alone aggravates and accelerates the progression of NASH by up-regulating the expression of lipogenic genes, by down-regulating genes involved in lipid metabolism and by decreasing insulin sensitivity.

Remodeling of calcium handling in skeletal muscle through PGC-1?: impact on force, fatigability, and fiber type

Regular endurance exercise remodels skeletal muscle, largely through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). PGC-1α promotes fiber type switching and resistance to fatigue. Intracellular calcium levels might play a role in both adaptive phenomena, yet a role for PGC-1α in the adaptation of calcium handling in skeletal muscle remains unknown. Using mice with transgenic overexpression of PGC-1α, we now investigated the effect of PGC-1α on calcium handling in skeletal muscle. We demonstrate that PGC-1α induces a quantitative reduction in calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum by diminishing the expression of calcium-releasing molecules. Concomitantly, maximal muscle force is reduced in vivo and ex vivo. In addition, PGC-1α overexpression delays calcium clearance from the myoplasm by interfering with multiple mechanisms involved in calcium removal, leading to higher myoplasmic calcium levels following contraction. During prolonged muscle activity, the delayed calcium clearance might facilitate force production in mice overexpressing PGC-1α. Our results reveal a novel role of PGC-1α in altering the contractile properties of skeletal muscle by modulating calcium handling. Importantly, our findings indicate PGC-1α to be both down- as well as upstream of calcium signaling in this tissue. Overall, our findings suggest that in the adaptation to chronic exercise, PGC-1α reduces maximal force, increases resistance to fatigue, and drives fiber type switching partly through remodeling of calcium transients, in addition to promoting slow-type myofibrillar protein expression and adequate energy supply.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 gene expression, protein and function

Objective Increasing plasma glucose levels are associated with increasing risk of vascular disease. We tested the hypothesis that there is a glycaemia-mediated impairment of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We studied the influence of plasma glucose on expression and function of a key mediator in RCT, the ATP binding cassette transporter-A1 (ABCA1) and expression of its regulators, liver X receptor-α (LXRα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor–γ (PPARγ). Methods and Results Leukocyte ABCA1, LXRα and PPARγ expression was measured by polymerase chain reaction in 63 men with varying degrees of glucose homeostasis. ABCA1 protein concentrations were measured in leukocytes. In a sub-group of 25 men, ABCA1 function was quantified as apolipoprotein-A1-mediated cholesterol efflux from 2–3 week cultured skin fibroblasts. Leukocyte ABCA1 expression correlated negatively with circulating HbA1c and glucose (rho = −0.41, p<0.001; rho = −0.34, p = 0.006 respectively) and was reduced in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (p = 0.03). Leukocyte ABCA1 protein was lower in T2DM (p = 0.03) and positively associated with plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (rho = 0.34, p = 0.02). Apolipoprotein-A1-mediated cholesterol efflux correlated negatively with fasting glucose (rho = −0.50, p = 0.01) and positively with HDL-C (rho = 0.41, p = 0.02). It was reduced in T2DM compared with controls (p = 0.04). These relationships were independent of LXRα and PPARγ expression. Conclusions ABCA1 expression and protein concentrations in leukocytes, as well as function in cultured skin fibroblasts, are reduced in T2DM. ABCA1 protein concentration and function are associated with HDL-C levels. These findings indicate a glycaemia- related, persistent disruption of a key component of RCT.

Rumen-protected choline supplementation in periparturient dairy goats: effects on liver and mammary gland

The current study investigated the effects of supplementing rumen-protected choline (RPC) on metabolic profile, selected liver constituents and transcript levels of selected enzymes, transcription factors and nuclear receptors involved in mammary lipid metabolism in dairy goats. Eight healthy lactating goats were studied: four received no choline supplementation (CTR group) and four received 4g RPC chloride/day (RPC group). The treatment was administered individually starting 4 weeks before expected kidding and continuing for 4 weeks after parturition. In the first month of lactation, milk yield and composition were measured weekly. On days 7, 14, 21 and 27 of lactation, blood samples were collected and analysed for glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol. On day 28 of lactation, samples of liver and mammary gland tissue were obtained. Liver tissue was analysed for total lipid and DNA content; mammary tissue was analysed for transcripts of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol regulatory binding proteins 1 and 2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and liver X receptor alpha. Milk yield was very similar in the two groups, but R PC goats had lower (P < 0.05) plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate. The total lipid content of liver was unaffected (P = 0.890), but the total lipid/DNA ratio was lower (both P < 0.05) in RPC than CTR animals. Choline had no effect on the expression of the mammary gland transcripts involved in lipid metabolism. The current plasma and liver data indicate that choline has a positive effect on liver lipid metabolism, whereas it appears to have little effect on transcript levels in mammary gland of various proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Nevertheless, the current results were obtained from a limited number of animals, and choline requirement and function in lactating dairy ruminants deserve further investigation.

Exercise training in normobaric hypoxia in endurance runners. III. Muscular adjustments of selected gene transcripts

We hypothesized that specific muscular transcript level adaptations participate in the improvement of endurance performances following intermittent hypoxia training in endurance-trained subjects. Fifteen male high-level, long-distance runners integrated a modified living low-training high program comprising two weekly controlled training sessions performed at the second ventilatory threshold for 6 wk into their normal training schedule. The athletes were randomly assigned to either a normoxic (Nor) (inspired O2 fraction = 20.9%, n = 6) or a hypoxic group exercising under normobaric hypoxia (Hyp) (inspired O2 fraction = 14.5%, n = 9). Oxygen uptake and speed at second ventilatory threshold, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), and time to exhaustion (Tlim) at constant load at VO2 max velocity in normoxia and muscular levels of selected mRNAs in biopsies were determined before and after training. VO2 max (+5%) and Tlim (+35%) increased specifically in the Hyp group. At the molecular level, mRNA concentrations of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (+104%), glucose transporter-4 (+32%), phosphofructokinase (+32%), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (+60%), citrate synthase (+28%), cytochrome oxidase 1 (+74%) and 4 (+36%), carbonic anhydrase-3 (+74%), and manganese superoxide dismutase (+44%) were significantly augmented in muscle after exercise training in Hyp only. Significant correlations were noted between muscular mRNA levels of monocarboxylate transporter-1, carbonic anhydrase-3, glucose transporter-4, and Tlim only in the group of athletes who trained in hypoxia (P < 0.05). Accordingly, the addition of short hypoxic stress to the regular endurance training protocol induces transcriptional adaptations in skeletal muscle of athletic subjects. Expressional adaptations involving redox regulation and glucose uptake are being recognized as a potential molecular pathway, resulting in improved endurance performance in hypoxia-trained subjects.

Pioglitazone inhibits androgen production in NCI-H295R cells by regulating gene expression of CYP17 and HSD3B2

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are widely used as insulin sensitizers in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In diabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome, treatment with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone improves insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, but the mechanism by which TZDs down-regulate androgen production is unknown. Androgens are synthesized in the human gonads as well as the adrenals. We studied the regulation of androgen production by analyzing the effect of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on steroidogenesis in human adrenal NCI-H295R cells, an established in vitro model of steroidogenesis of the human adrenal cortex. Both TZDs changed the steroid profile of the NCI-H295R cells and inhibited the activities of P450c17 and 3betaHSDII, key enzymes of androgen biosynthesis. Pioglitazone but not rosiglitazone inhibited the expression of the CYP17 and HSD3B2 genes. Likewise, pioglitazone repressed basal and 8-bromo-cAMP-stimulated activities of CYP17 and HSD3B2 promoter reporters in NCI-H295R cells. However, pioglitazone did not change the activity of a cAMP-responsive luciferase reporter, indicating that it does not influence cAMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein pathway signaling. Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is the nuclear receptor for TZDs, suppression of PPARgamma by small interfering RNA technique did not alter the inhibitory effect of pioglitazone on CYP17 and HSD3B2 expression, suggesting that the action of pioglitazone is independent of PPARgamma. On the other hand, treatment of NCI-H295R cells with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) enhanced promoter activity and expression of CYP17. This effect was reversed by pioglitazone treatment, indicating that the MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a role in regulating androgen biosynthesis by pioglitazone.