Hepatic mRNA expression and plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in broiler chickens selected for different growth rates

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thyroid status, but not insulin status, affects expression of avian uncoupling protein mRNA in chicken

The aim of this study was to investigate the hormonal regulation of the avian homolog of mammalian uncoupling protein (avUCP) by studying the impact of thyroid hormones and insulin on avUCP mRNA expression in chickens (Gallus gallus). For 3 wk, chicks received either a standard diet (control group), or a standard diet supplemented with triiodothyronine (T-3; T3 group) or with the thyroid gland inhibitor methimazole (MMI group). A fourth group received injections of the deiodinase inhibitor iopanoic acid (IOP group). During the 4th wk of age, all animals received two daily injections of either human insulin or saline solution. The results indicate a twofold overexpression of avUCP mRNA in gastrocnemius muscle of T3 birds and a clear downregulation (-74%) in MMI chickens compared with control chickens. Insulin injections had no significant effect on avUCP mRNA expression in chickens. This study describes for the first time induction of avUCP mRNA expression by the thermogenic hormone T3 in chickens and supports a possible involvement of avUCP in avian thermogenesis.

Cigarette smoke exposure severely reduces peripheral insulin sensitivity without changing GLUT4 expression in oxidative muscle of Wistar rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance is associated with increased connexin 36 mRNA and protein expression in pancreatic rat islets

Augmented glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is an adaptive mechanism exhibited by pancreatic islets from insulin-resistant animal models. Gap junction proteins have been proposed to contribute to islet function. As such, we investigated the expression of connexin 36 (Cx36), connexin 43 (Cx43), and the glucose transporter Glut2 at mRNA and protein levels in pancreatic islets of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced insulin-resistant rats. Study rats received daily injections of DEX (1 mg/kg body mass, i.p.) for 5 days, whereas control rats (CTL) received saline solution. DEX rats exhibited peripheral insulin resistance, as indicated by the significant postabsorptive insulin levels and by the constant rate for glucose disappearance (K-ITT). GSIS was significantly higher in DEX islets (1.8-fold in 16.7 mmol/L glucose vs. CTL, p < 0.05). A significant increase of 2.25-fold in islet area was observed in DEX vs. CTL islets (p < 0.05). Cx36 mRNA expression was significantly augmented, Cx43 diminished, and Glut2 mRNA was unaltered in islets of DEX vs. CTL (p < 0.05). Cx36 protein expression was 1.6-fold higher than that of CTL islets (p < 0.05). Glut2 protein expression was unaltered and Cx43 was not detected at the protein level. We conclude that DEX-induced insulin resistance is accompanied by increased GSIS and this may be associated with increase of Cx36 protein expression.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-regulated sarcoendoplasmic reticulurn Ca2+-ATPase 2 expression by prolactin and glucocorticoids is involved in the adaptation of insulin secretory response during the peripartum period

During pregnancy, the maternal endocrine pancreas undergoes, as a consequence of placental lactogens and prolactin (PR,L) action, functional changes that are characterized by increased glucose-induced insulin secretion. After delivery, the maternal endocrine pancreas rapidly returns to nonpregnant state, which is mainly attributed to the increased serum levels of glucocorticoids (GCs). Although GCs are known to decrease insulin secretion and counteract PRL action, the mechanisms for these effects are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is increased in islets treated with PRL. In the present study, we show that STAT3 expression and serine phosphorylation are increased in pancreatic islets at the end of pregnancy (P19). STAT3 serine phosphorylation rapidly returned to basal levels 3 days after delivery (U). The expression of the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2 (SERCA2), a crucial protein involved in the regulation of calcium handling in P-cells, was also increased in P19, returning to basal levels at L3. PRL increased SERCA2 and STAT3 expressions and STAT3 serine phosphorylation in RINm5F cells. The upregulation of SERCA2 by PRL was abolished after STAT3 knockdown. Moreover, PRL-induced STAT3 serine phosphorylation and SERCA2 expression were inhibited by dexamethasone (DEX). Insulin secretion from islets of PI 9 rats pre-incubated with thapsigargin and L3 rats showed a dramatic suppression of first phase of insulin release. The present results indicate that PRL regulates SERCA2 expression by a STAT3-dependent mechanism. PRL effect is counteracted by DEX and might contribute to the adaptation of maternal endocrine pancreas during the peripartum period.

Expression and imprinting of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) and H19 genes in uterine leiomyomas

Genomic imprinting is defined as a gamete of origin-specific epigenetic modification of DNA leading to differential gene expression in the zygote. Several imprinted genes have been identified and some of them are associated with tumor development. We investigated the expression and the imprinting status of IGF2 and H19 genes in 47 uterine leiomyomas. Using allelic transcription assay, we detected the expression of the IGF2 gene in 10 of a total of 15 informative cases. No loss of imprinting, as determined by the finding of biallelic expression, was detected in any case. The expression of H19 gene was detected in 10 of 20 informative cases and the imprinting pattern was also maintained in all of them. Our data suggest that alterations in IGF2 and H19 genes expression by loss of imprinting do not occur in uterine leiomyomas. (C) 1999 Academic Press.

Relative expression of insulin like growth factor I (IGFI) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in follicles and ovarian tissue from Bos primigenius indicus (Nelore)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ebselen and cytokine-induced nitric oxide synthase expression in insulin-producing cells

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may be a mediator of β-cell damage in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The IL-1 mechanism of action on insulin-producing cells probably includes activation of the transcription nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), increased transcription of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the subsequent production of nitric oxide (NO). Reactive oxygen intermediates, particularly H2O2, have been proposed as second messengers for NF-κB activation. In the present study, we tested whether ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one), a glutathione peroxidase mimicking compound, could counteract the effects of IL-1β, H2O2 and alloxan in rat pancreatic islets and in the rat insulinoma cell line RINm5F (RIN cells). Some of these experiments were also reproduced in human pancreatic islets. Ebselen (20 μM) prevented the increase in nitrite production by rat islets exposed to IL-1β for 6 hr and induced significant protection against the acute inhibitory effects of alloxan or H2O2 exposure, as judged by the preserved glucose oxidation rates. However, ebselen failed to prevent the increase in nitrite production and the decrease in glucose oxidation and insulin release by rat islets exposed to IL-1β for 24 hr. Ebselen prevented the increase in nitrite production by human islets exposed for 14 hr to a combination of cytokines (IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ). In RIN cells, ebselen counteracted both the expression of iNOS mRNA and the increase in nitrite production induced by 6 hr exposure to IL-β but failed to block IL-1β-induced iNOS expression following 24 hr exposure to the cytokine. Moreover, ebselen did not prevent IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation. As a whole, these data indicate that ebselen partially counteracts cytokine-induced NOS activation in pancreatic β-cells, an effect not associated with inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Acute and short-term insulin-induced molecular adaptations of GLUT2 gene expression in the renal cortex of diabetic rats

Increased GLUT2 gene expression in the renal proximal tubule of diabetic rats is an adaptive condition, which may be important in the diabetic nephropathy development. We investigated the effects of insulin treatment upon the renal GLUT2 overexpression of diabetic rats. Acute treatment, surprisingly, induced a rapid further increase in GLUT2 mRNA content. Twelve hours after insulin injection, GLUT2 mRNA was twice the value of saline-injected rats (P < 0.001), when GLUT2 protein remained unchanged. In response to short-term treatment, both GLUT2 mRNA and protein were increased in 1-day treated rats (P < 0.05 versus saline-injected), decreasing after that, and reaching, within 6 days, values close to those of non-diabetic rats. Concluding, insulin treatment induced: initially, an additional upregulation of GLUT2 gene expression, involving posttranscriptional modulation; thereafter, downregulation of GLUT2 expression, which returns to non-diabetic levels. The former may be related to increased insulin concentration, the latter may be due to glycemic control. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Short communication: Acute but transient increase in serum insulin reduces messenger RNA expression of hepatic enzymes associated with progesterone catabolism in dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of glucose infusion on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and progesterone (P4), as well as mRNA expression of hepatic CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in nonlactating, ovariectomized cows in adequate nutritional status. Eight Gir × Holstein cows were maintained on a low-quality Brachiaria brizantha pasture with reduced forage availability, but they individually received, on average, 3. kg/cow daily (as fed) of a corn-based concentrate from d -28 to 0 of the experiment. All cows had an intravaginal P4-releasing device inserted on d -14, which remained in cows until the end of the experiment (d 1). On d 0, cows were randomly assigned to receive, in a crossover design containing 2 periods of 24. h each (d 0 and 1), (1) an intravenous glucose infusion (GLUC; 0.5. g of glucose/kg of BW, over a 3-h period) or (2) an intravenous saline infusion (SAL; 0.9%, over a 3-h period). Cows were fasted for 12. h before infusions, and they remained fasted during infusion and sample collections. Blood samples were collected at 0, 3, and 6. h relative to the beginning of infusions. Liver biopsies were performed concurrently with blood collections at 0 and 3. h. After the last blood collection of period 1, cows received concentrate and returned to pasture. Cows gained BW (16.5 ± 3.6. kg) and BCS (0.08 ± 0.06) from d -28 to 0. Cows receiving GLUC had greater serum glucose and insulin concentrations at 3. h compared with SAL cohorts. No treatment effects were detected for serum P4 concentrations, although mRNA expression of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 after the infusion period was reduced for cows in the GLUC treatment compared with their cohorts in the SAL treatment. In conclusion, hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 mRNA expression can be promptly modulated by glucose infusion followed by acute increases in circulating insulin, which provides novel insight into the physiological mechanisms associating nutrition and reproductive function in dairy cows. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Endurance exercise training increases APPL1 expression and improves insulin signaling in the hepatic tissue of diet-induced obese mice, independently of weight loss

Hepatic insulin resistance is the major contributor to fasting hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. The protein kinase Akt plays a central role in the suppression of gluconeogenesis involving forkhead box O1 (Foxo1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1a), and in the control of glycogen synthesis involving the glycogen synthase kinase beta (GSK3 beta) in the liver. It has been demonstrated that endosomal adaptor protein APPL1 interacts with Akt and blocks the association of Akt with its endogenous inhibitor, tribbles-related protein 3 (TRB3), improving the action of insulin in the liver. Here, we demonstrated that chronic exercise increased the basal levels and insulin-induced Akt serine phosphorylation in the liver of diet-induced obese mice. Endurance training was able to increase APPL1 expression and the interaction between APPL1 and Akt. Conversely, training reduced both TRB3 expression and TRB3 and Akt association. The positive effects of exercise on insulin action are reinforced by our findings that showed that trained mice presented an increase in Foxo1 phosphorylation and Foxo1/PGC-1a association, which was accompanied by a reduction in gluconeogenic gene expressions (PEPCK and G6Pase). Finally, exercised animals demonstrated increased at basal and insulin-induced GSK3 beta phosphorylation levels and glycogen content at 24?h after the last session of exercise. Our findings demonstrate that exercise increases insulin action, at least in part, through the enhancement of APPL1 and the reduction of TRB3 expression in the liver of obese mice, independently of weight loss. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 29172926, 2012. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Regulation of Rasd1 Expression by Glucocorticoids and Prolactin Controls Peripartum Maternal Insulin Secretion

The transition from gestation to lactation is characterized by a robust adaptation of maternal pancreatic beta-cells. Consistent with the loss of beta-cell mass, glucose-induced insulin secretion is down-regulated in the islets of early lactating dams. Extensive experimental evidence has demonstrated that the surge of prolactin is responsible for the morphofunctional remodeling of the maternal endocrine pancreas during pregnancy, but the precise molecular mechanisms by which this phenotype is rapidly reversed after delivery are not completely understood. This study investigated whether glucocorticoid-regulated expression of Rasd1/Dexras, a small inhibitoryGprotein, is involved in this physiological plasticity. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that Rasd1 is localized within pancreatic beta-cells. Rasd1 expression in insulin-secreting cells was increased by dexamethasone and decreased by prolactin. In vivo data confirmed that Rasd1 expression is decreased in islets from pregnant rats and increased in islets from lactating mothers. Knockdown of Rasd1 abolished the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on insulin secretion and the protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and ERK1/2 pathways. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b) cooperatively mediate glucocorticoid-induced Rasd1 expression in islets. Prolactin inhibited the stimulatory effect of GR/STAT5b complex on Rasd1 transcription. Overall, our data indicate that the stimulation of Rasd1 expression by glucocorticoid at the end of pregnancy reverses the increased insulin secretion that occurs during pregnancy. Prolactin negatively regulates this pathway by inhibiting GR/STAT5b transcriptional activity on the Rasd1 gene. (Endocrinology 153: 3668-3678, 2012)

Insulin modulates cytokine release and selectin expression in the early phase of allergic airway inflammation in diabetic rats

Abstract Background Clinical and experimental data suggest that the inflammatory response is impaired in diabetics and can be modulated by insulin. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of insulin on the early phase of allergic airway inflammation. Methods Diabetic male Wistar rats (alloxan, 42 mg/Kg, i.v., 10 days) and controls were sensitized by s.c. injection of ovalbumin (OA) in aluminium hydroxide 14 days before OA (1 mg/0.4 mL) or saline intratracheal challenge. The following analyses were performed 6 hours thereafter: a) quantification of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, b) expression of E- and P- selectins on lung vessels by immunohistochemistry, and c) inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways and lung parenchyma. NPH insulin (4 IU, s.c.) was given i.v. 2 hours before antigen challenge. Results Diabetic rats exhibited significant reduction in the BALF concentrations of IL-1β (30%) and TNF-α (45%), and in the lung expression of P-selectin (30%) compared to non-diabetic animals. This was accompanied by reduced number of neutrophils into the airways and around bronchi and blood vessels. There were no differences in the CINC-1 levels in BALF, and E-selectin expression. Treatment of diabetic rats with NPH insulin, 2 hours before antigen challenge, restored the reduced levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and P-selectin, and neutrophil migration. Conclusion Data presented suggest that insulin modulates the production/release of TNF-α and IL-1β, the expression of P- and E-selectin, and the associated neutrophil migration into the lungs during the early phase of the allergic inflammatory reaction.