Ozone exposure triggers insulin resistance through muscle c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation.

A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Ozone, a major photochemical pollutant in urban areas, is negatively associated with fasting glucose and insulin levels, but most aspects of this association remain to be elucidated. Using an environmentally realistic concentration (0.8 parts per million), we demonstrated that exposure of rats to ozone induced whole-body insulin resistance and oxidative stress, with associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, and disruption of insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from ozone-treated rats reproduced this effect in C2C12 myotubes, suggesting that toxic lung mediators were responsible for the phenotype. Pretreatment with the chemical chaperone 4-phenylbutyric acid, the JNK inhibitor SP600125, or the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine alleviated insulin resistance, demonstrating that ozone sequentially triggered oxidative stress, ER stress, and JNK activation to impair insulin signaling in muscle. This study is the first to report that ozone plays a causative role in the development of insulin resistance, suggesting that it could boost the development of diabetes. We therefore provide a potential mechanism linking pollutant exposure and the increased incidence of metabolic diseases.

White adipose tissue overproduces the lipid-mobilizing factor zinc α2-glycoprotein in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently associated with protein-energy wasting, a recognized strong predictive factor of mortality. Zinc α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a new adipokine involved in body weight control through its lipid-mobilizing activity. Here we tested whether the uremic environment in CKD could alter ZAG production by white adipose tissue and contribute to CKD-associated metabolic disturbances. Compared with normal plasma, uremic plasma induced a significant increase in ZAG synthesis (124%), was associated with a significant increase in basal lipolysis (31%), and significantly blunted lipogenesis (-53%) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro. In 5/6 nephrectomized rats and mice in vivo, there was a significant decrease in white adipose tissue accretion (-44% and -43%, respectively) and a significantly higher white adipose tissue content of ZAG protein than in sham-operated, pair-fed control animals (498% and 106%, respectively). Subcutaneous white adipose tissue biopsies from patients with end-stage renal disease exhibited a higher content of ZAG (573%) than age-matched controls. Thus, the ZAG content is increased in white adipose tissue from patients or animal models with CKD. Overproduction of ZAG in CKD could be a major contributor to metabolic disturbances associated with CKD.

p-Cresyl sulfate promotes insulin resistance associated with CKD.

The mechanisms underlying the insulin resistance that frequently accompanies CKD are poorly understood, but the retention of renally excreted compounds may play a role. One such compound is p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), a protein-bound uremic toxin that originates from tyrosine metabolism by intestinal microbes. Here, we sought to determine whether PCS contributes to CKD-associated insulin resistance. Administering PCS to mice with normal kidney function for 4 weeks triggered insulin resistance, loss of fat mass, and ectopic redistribution of lipid in muscle and liver, mimicking features associated with CKD. Mice treated with PCS exhibited altered insulin signaling in skeletal muscle through ERK1/2 activation. In addition, exposing C2C12 myotubes to concentrations of PCS observed in CKD caused insulin resistance through direct activation of ERK1/2. Subtotal nephrectomy led to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in mice, and treatment with the prebiotic arabino-xylo-oligosaccharide, which reduced serum PCS by decreasing intestinal production of p-cresol, prevented these metabolic derangements. Taken together, these data suggest that PCS contributes to insulin resistance and that targeting PCS may be a therapeutic strategy in CKD.

Chronic treatment with myo-inositol reduces white adipose tissue accretion and improves insulin sensitivity in female mice.

Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease characterized by a state of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle, adipose tissue or liver. Some inositol isomers have been reported to possess insulin-mimetic activity and to be efficient in lowering blood glucose level. The aim of the present study was to assess in mice the metabolic effects of a chronic treatment with myo-inositol, the most common stereoisomer of inositol. Mice given myo-inositol treatment (0.9 or 1.2 mg g(-1) day(-1), 15 days, orally or intraperitoneally) exhibited an improved glucose tolerance due to a greater insulin sensitivity. Mice treated with myo-inositol exhibited a decreased white adipose tissue accretion (-33%, P<.005) compared with controls. The decrease in white adipose tissue deposition was due to a decrease in adipose cell volume (-33%, P<.05), while no change was noticed in total adipocyte number. In skeletal muscle, in vivo as well as ex vivo myo-inositol treatment increased protein kinase B/Akt phosphorylation under baseline and insulin-stimulated conditions, suggesting a synergistic action of myo-inositol treatment and insulin on proteins of the insulin signalling pathway. Myo-inositol could therefore constitute a viable nutritional strategy for the prevention and/or treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

The lipid peroxidation by-product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) induces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle through both carbonyl and oxidative stress.

Numerous oxidants are produced as by-products of aerobic cell metabolism, and there is growing evidence that they play key roles in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Under conditions of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation of ω6-polyunsaturated fatty acids leads to the production of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE). Several lines of evidence suggest that 4-HNE could be involved in the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases; therefore, in this study we assessed the direct effects of 4-HNE on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. Gastrocnemius muscle and L6 muscle cells were treated with 4-HNE. Insulin signaling was measured by Western blotting and glucose uptake using 2-deoxy-d-[3H]glucose. Carbonyl stress, glutathione content, and oxidative stress were assessed as potential mechanisms leading to insulin resistance. Protection of cells was induced by pretreatment with 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione, N-acetyl-cysteine, aminoguanidine, or S-adenosyl-methionine. 4-HNE induced a time- and dose-dependent decrease in insulin signaling and insulin-induced glucose uptake in muscle. It induced a state of carbonyl stress through adduction of proteins as well as a depletion in reduced glutathione and production of radical oxygen species. A pharmacological increase in glutathione pools was achieved by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione and protected the cells against all deleterious effects of 4-HNE; furthermore, N-acetylcysteine, aminoguanidine, and S-adenosylmethionine prevented 4-HNE noxious effects. 4-HNE can impair insulin action in muscle cells through oxidative stress and oxidative damage to proteins, eventually leading to insulin resistance. These deleterious effects can be prevented by pretreatment with antioxidants, scavengers, or an increase in intracellular glutathione pools. Use of such molecules could represent a novel strategy to combat insulin resistance and other oxidative stress-associated pathologies.

Structural and functional changes in human insulin induced by the lipid peroxidation byproducts 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal.

Lipid peroxidation produces many reactive byproducts including 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) derived from the peroxidation of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. HNE and HHE can modify circulating biomolecules through the formation of covalent adducts. It remains, however, unknown whether HHE and HNE could induce functional and structural changes in the insulin molecule, which may in turn be pivotal in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Recombinant human insulin was incubated in the presence of HHE or HNE, and the formation of covalent adducts on insulin was analyzed by mass spectrometry analysis. Insulin tolerance test in mice and stimulation of glucose uptake by 3T3 adipocytes and L6 muscle cells were used to evaluate the biological efficiency of adducted insulin compared with the native one. One to 5 adducts were formed on insulin through Michael adduction, involving histidine residues. Glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 and L6C5 cells as well as the hypoglycemic effect in mice was significantly reduced after treatment with adducted insulin compared to native insulin. The formation of HNE- and HHE-Michael adducts significantly disrupts the biological activity of insulin. These structural and functional abnormalities of the insulin molecule might contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

Quantitative structure-activity relationship for 4-hydroxy-2-alkenal induced cytotoxicity in L6 muscle cells.

Lipid peroxidation is one of the most important sources of endogenous toxic metabolites. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE) are produced in several oxidative stress associated diseases from peroxidation of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Both are able to form covalent adducts with many biomolecules. Particularly, proteins adduction can induce structural and conformational changes and impair biological function, which may be involved in the toxicity of hydroxy-alkenals. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 4-hydroxy-2-alkenals to several chemically related derivatives in order to clarify the physico-chemical requirement of their toxicity. L6 muscle cells were treated with HHE, HNE and parent derivatives (acetal derivative, trans-alkenals and alkanals). Viability and necrosis were estimated using MTT, LDH and caspase-3 tests. LogLC50 (Lethal Concentration 50) was then tested for correlation with adducts formation (estimated using dinitrophenylhydrazine) and several molecular descriptors in order to establish quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) models. The rank of derivatives toxicity, based on LC50 was: hydroxy-alkenals>acetal derivatives approximately 2-alkenals>alkanals and a high correlation was found between logLC50 and protein carbonylation. Moreover, logLC50 was correlated to the electrophilic descriptor LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) as well as with electronegativity-related molecular descriptors such as number of oxygen atoms, partial negative surface area (PNSA3) and partial positive surface area (PPSA3). Together, these results point out the important role of the electrophilic structure and adduct formation in hydroxy-alkenals toxicity. Our present study demonstrates that 4-hydroxy-2-alkenals dramatic effects on cell viability are due to covalent adducts formation, particularly Michael adducts. This capacity is related to the electrophilic structure and reactive CC double bond, making it highly accessible for nucleophilic addition. The present study suggests that nucleophilic scavengers might protect cells against electrophile compounds and might be of possible therapeutic value in oxidative stress associated diseases.