[State of the art on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. / État des lieux sur la physiopathologie, le diagnostic et les traitements de la stéato-hépatite non alcoolique (NASH).

NAFLD or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the complications of obesity and diabetes, the prevalence of which is increasing. The causes of the pathology and its development towards its severe form, NASH or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, are multiple and still poorly understood. Many different pharmacological classes are being tested in clinical trials to treat NASH, but no pharmaceutical treatment is currently on the market. Moreover, the diagnosis of certainty is only possible by liver biopsy and histological analysis, an invasive procedure with high risk for the patient. It is therefore necessary to better understand the natural history of the disease in order to identify therapeutic targets, but also to identify markers for the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease using a blood sample, which will allow an improvement in patient management.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass increases systemic but not portal bile acid concentrations by decreasing hepatic bile acid uptake in minipigs.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is widely used in the management of morbid obesity. RYGB improves metabolism independently of weight loss by still unknown mechanisms. Bile acids (BAs) are good candidates to explain this benefit, since they regulate metabolic homeostasis and their systemic concentrations increase upon RYGB. Here we analyzed the mechanisms underlying the increase in systemic BA concentrations after RYGB and the role of the liver therein. To this aim, we used the Göttingen-like minipig, a human-size mammalian model, which allows continuous sampling and simultaneous analysis of pre-hepatic portal and systemic venous blood. BA concentrations and pool composition were measured in portal blood, containing intestinal reabsorbed BAs and compared to systemic blood during a standardized meal test before and after RYGB. Systemic total BA concentrations increased after RYGB, due to an increase in conjugated BAs. Interestingly, the ratio of portal:systemic conjugated BAs decreased after RYGB, indicating a role for the liver in systemic BA concentrations changes. In line, hepatic expression of BA transporter genes decreased after RYGB. Our results show that the increase in systemic BAs after surgery is due to decreased selective hepatic recapture. Thus, alterations in hepatic function contribute to the increase in systemic BAs after RYGB.

Topical ivermectin improves allergic skin inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Ivermectin (IVM) is widely used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat parasitic infections. Recent reports have suggested that IVM could also have anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS: Here, we investigated the activity of IVM in a murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by repeated exposure to the allergen Dermatophagoides farinae, and in standard cellular immunological assays. RESULTS: Our results show that topical IVM improved allergic skin inflammation by reducing the priming and activation of allergen-specific T cells, as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines. While IVM had no major impact on the functions of dendritic cells in vivo and in vitro, IVM impaired T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production following polyclonal and antigen-specific stimulation. CONCLUSION: Altogether, our results show that IVM is endowed with topical anti-inflammatory properties that could have important applications for the treatment of T-cell-mediated skin inflammatory diseases.

Temporal changes in bile acid levels and 12α-hydroxylation after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in type 2 diabetes.

Since the publication of the above article it has been noted that the author S O'Brien should have been listed as CS O'Brien. The authors should therefore appear as follows: R Dutia, M Embrey, CS O'Brien, RA Haeusler, KK Agénor, P Homel, J McGinty, RP Vincent, J Alaghband-Zadeh, B Staels, CW le Roux, J Yu and B Laferrère The corrected article html and online pdf versions have been amended. The authors wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Influence of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on plasma bile acid profiles: a comparative study between rats, pigs and humans.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is the most widely used bariatric surgery procedure, which induces profound metabolic and physiological effects, such as substantial improvements in obesity, type 2 diabetes and their comorbidities. Increasing evidence identifies bile acids (BAs) as signaling molecules that contribute to the metabolic improvement after RYGBP. However, how and to what extent BAs mediate the metabolic effects of RYGBP still remains unclear and requires mechanism of action studies using preclinical models. In this study, we compared plasma BA profiles before and after RYGBP in two animal models, rats and pigs, with humans to evaluate their translational potential. METHODS: Plasma BAs were profiled in rats, pigs and humans by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry before and after RYGBP. RESULTS: RYGBP increased baseline plasma total BA concentrations in humans and in the two animal models to a similar extent (∼3-fold increase), despite differences in presurgery BA levels and profiles between the models. However, qualitatively, RYGBP differently affected individual plasma BA species, with similar increases in some free species (cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA)), different increases in glyco-conjugated species depending on the model and globally no increase in tauro-conjugated species whatever the model. CONCLUSIONS: The tested animal models share similar quantitative RYGBP-induced increases in peripheral blood BAs as humans, which render them useful for mechanistic studies. However, they also present qualitative differences in BA profiles, which may result in different signaling responses. Such differences need to be taken into account when translating results to humans.

Temporal changes in bile acid levels and 12α-hydroxylation after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric bypass surgery (GBP) leads to sustained weight loss and significant improvement in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Bile acids (BAs), signaling molecules which influence glucose metabolism, are a potential mediator for the improvement in T2DM after GBP. This study sought to investigate the effect of GBP on BA levels and composition in individuals with T2DM. METHODS: Plasma BA levels and composition and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19 levels were measured during fasting and in response to an oral glucose load before and at 1 month and 2 years post GBP in 13 severely obese women with T2DM. RESULTS: A striking temporal change in BA levels and composition was observed after GBP. During the fasted state, BA concentrations were generally reduced at 1 month, but increased 2 years post GBP. Postprandial BA levels were unchanged 1 month post GBP, but an exaggerated postprandial peak was observed 2 years after the surgery. A significant increase in the 12α-hydroxylated/non12α-hydroxylated BA ratio during fasting and postprandially at 2 years, but not 1 month, post GBP was observed. Significant correlations between BAs vs FGF-19, body weight, the incretin effect and peptide YY (PYY) were also found. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that GBP temporally modifies the concentration and composition of circulating BAs in individuals with T2DM, and suggests that BAs may be linked to the improvement in T2DM after GBP.

Skeletal muscle functions around the clock.

In mammals, the central clock localized in the central nervous system imposes a circadian rhythmicity to all organs. This is achieved thanks to a well-conserved molecular clockwork, involving interactions between several transcription factors, whose pace is conveyed to peripheral tissues through neuronal and humoral signals. The molecular clock plays a key role in the control of numerous physiological processes and takes part in the regulation of metabolism and energy balance. Skeletal muscle is one of the peripheral organs whose function is under the control of the molecular clock. However, although skeletal muscle metabolism and performances display circadian rhythmicity, the role of the molecular clock in the skeletal muscle has remained unappreciated for years. Peripheral organs such as skeletal muscle, and the liver, among others, can be desynchronized from the central clock by external stimuli, such as feeding or exercise, which impose a new rhythm at the organism level. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the clock in skeletal muscle circadian physiology, focusing on the control of myogenesis and skeletal muscle metabolism.

Efficacy and safety of initial combination treatment with sitagliptin and pioglitazone--a factorial study.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of initial combination therapy of sitagliptin 100 mg/day coadministered with all marketed doses of pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Patients with A1c ≥7.5 and ≤11.0% were randomized among seven arms that received, once daily, 100 mg sitagliptin alone; 15, 30 or 45 mg pioglitazone alone, or 100 mg sitagliptin plus 15, 30 or 45 mg pioglitazone for 54 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in A1c at week 24. Protocol-specified analyses compared combination therapies with monotherapies at respective dose-strengths and combination of sitagliptin plus pioglitazone 30 mg with pioglitazone 45 mg monotherapy. Post-hoc analyses compared sitagliptin plus pioglitazone 15 mg with pioglitazone monotherapy at the two higher doses. RESULTS: Initial combination therapy with sitagliptin and pioglitazone provided significantly greater reductions in A1c (0.4-0.7% differences) and other glycaemic endpoints than either monotherapy at the same doses. Combining sitagliptin with low-dose pioglitazone generally produced greater glycaemic improvements than higher doses of pioglitazone monotherapy (0.3-0.4% differences in A1c). Combination therapy was generally well tolerated; adverse events (AEs) of hypoglycaemia were reported with similar incidence (7.8-11.1%) in all treatment groups over the 54 weeks of study; oedema was reported in 0.5% of patients in the sitagliptin monotherapy group and 2.7-5.3% among pioglitazone-treated groups. Significant weight gain was observed in all combination-treated groups compared with the sitagliptin monotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Initial combination therapy with sitagliptin and pioglitazone provided better glycaemic control than either monotherapy and was generally well tolerated.

Role of bile acid receptor FXR in development and function of brown adipose tissue.

Bile acids act as signalling molecules that contribute to maintenance of energy homeostasis in mice and humans. Activation of G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor TGR5 induces energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue (BAT). However, a role for the nuclear bile acid receptor Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in BAT has remained ambiguous. We aimed to study the potential role of FXR in BAT development and functioning. Here we demonstrate low yet detectable expression of the α1/2 isoforms of FXR in murine BAT that markedly decreases upon cold exposure. Moderate adipose tissue-specific FXR overexpression in mice induces pronounced BAT whitening, presenting with large intracellular lipid droplets and extracellular collagen deposition. Expression of thermogenic marker genes including the target of Tgr5, Dio2, was significantly lower in BAT of chow-fed aP2-hFXR mice compared to wild-type controls. Transcriptomic analysis revealed marked up-regulation of extracellular matrix formation and down-regulation of mitochondrial functions in BAT from aP2-hFXR mice. In addition, markers of cell type lineages deriving from the dermomyotome, such as myocytes, as well as markers of cellular senescence were strongly induced. The response to cold and ß3-adrenergic receptor agonism was blunted in these mice, yet resolved BAT whitening. Newborn cholestatic Cyp2c70-/- mice with a human-like bile acid profile also showed distinct BAT whitening and upregulation of myocyte-specific genes, while thermogenic markers were down-regulated. Ucp1 expression inversely correlated with plasma bile acid levels. Therefore, bile acid signalling via FXR has a role in BAT function already early in tissue development. Functionally, FXR activation appears to oppose TGR5-mediated thermogenesis.

Downregulation of the tumour suppressor p16INK4A contributes to the polarisation of human macrophages toward an adipose tissue macrophage (ATM)-like phenotype.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Human adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) display an alternatively activated (M2) phenotype, but are still able to produce excessive inflammatory mediators. However, the processes driving this particular ATM phenotype are not understood. Genome-wide association studies associated the CDKN2A locus, encoding the tumour suppressor p16(INK4A), with the development of type 2 diabetes. In the present study, p16(INK4A) levels in human ATMs and the role of p16(INK4A) in acquiring the ATM phenotype were assessed. METHODS: Gene expression of p16 ( INK4A ) in ATMs was analysed and compared with that in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) from obese patients or with macrophages from human atherosclerotic plaques (AMs). Additionally, p16(INK4A) levels were studied during macrophage differentiation and polarisation of monocytes isolated from healthy donors. The role of p16(INK4A) in MDMs from healthy donors was investigated by small interfering (si)RNA-mediated silencing or adenovirus-mediated overproduction of p16(INK4A). RESULTS: Compared with MDMs and AMs, ATMs from obese patients expressed lower levels of p16 ( INK4A ). In vitro, IL-4-induced M2 polarisation resulted in lower p16(INK4A) protein levels after differentiation of monocytes from healthy donors in macrophages. Silencing of p16(INK4A) in MDMs mediated by siRNA increased the expression of M2 marker genes and enhanced the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to give a phenotype resembling that of ATM. By contrast, adenovirus-mediated overproduction of p16(INK4A) in MDMs diminished M2 marker gene expression and the response to LPS. Western blot analysis revealed that p16(INK4A) overproduction inhibits LPS- and palmitate-induced Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells (NF-κB) signalling. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results show that p16(INK4A) inhibits the acquisition of the ATM phenotype. The age-related increase in p16(INK4A) level may thus influence normal ATM function and contribute to type 2 diabetes risk.

PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma activators induce cholesterol removal from human macrophage foam cells through stimulation of the ABCA1 pathway.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors that regulate lipid and glucose metabolism and cellular differentiation. PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma are both expressed in human macrophages where they exert anti-inflammatory effects. The activation of PPAR-alpha may promote foam-cell formation by inducing expression of the macrophage scavenger receptor CD36. This prompted us to investigate the influence of different PPAR-activators on cholesterol metabolism and foam-cell formation of human primary and THP-1 macrophages. Here we show that PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma activators do not influence acetylated low density lipoprotein-induced foam-cell formation of human macrophages. In contrast, PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma activators induce the expression of the gene encoding ABCA1, a transporter that controls apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages. These effects are likely due to enhanced expression of liver-x-receptor alpha, an oxysterol-activated nuclear receptor which induces ABCA1-promoter transcription. Moreover, PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma activators increase apoAI-induced cholesterol efflux from normal macrophages. In contrast, PPAR-alpha or PPAR-gamma activation does not influence cholesterol efflux from macrophages isolated from patients with Tangier disease, which is due to a genetic defect in ABCA1. Here we identify a regulatory role for PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma in the first steps of the reverse-cholesterol-transport pathway through the activation of ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux in human macrophages.

Which is the eligible patient to be treated with pioglitazone? The expert view.

Pioglitazone has an important role in the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes. The drug can help patients to achieve sustained glycemic control and may delay the requirement for insulin. Pioglitazone may provide benefits beyond its effects on glycemia, with data suggesting it may confer anti-atherosclerotic and cardioprotective properties. Attention should be given to possible side effects relating to class effects of TZD, and selection of appropriate patients to be prescribed pioglitazone will enable optimum benefits to be derived from pioglitazone treatment.

Association of 1-deoxy-sphingolipids with steatosis but not steatohepatitis nor fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most important cause of chronic liver disease in the western world. Steatosis can be accompanied by inflammation and cell damage (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH), and even liver fibrosis. Sphingolipids are a heterogeneous class of lipids and essential components of the plasma membrane and plasma lipoproteins. The atypical class of deoxy-sphingolipids has been implicated in the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. AIM: To determine if circulating (deoxy)sphingolipids are associated with NAFLD and its different entities, steatosis, inflammatory changes (inflammation and ballooning) and fibrosis. METHODS: Sphingolipids were analysed by LC-MS after hydrolysing the N-acyl and O-linked headgroups in plasma of obese adults who underwent a liver biopsy in suspicion of NAFLD. RESULTS: Two-hundred and eighty-eight patients were included. There was no association between typical sphingolipids and NAFLD and its different entities. There was a significant association between the presence of steatosis and the concentrations of deoxy-sphinganine [exp(B) 11.163 with CI (3.432, 36.306) and p < 0.001] and deoxy-sphingosine [exp(B) 8.486 with CI (3.437, 20.949) and p < 0.001]. There was no association between these deoxy-sphingolipids and activity of the steatohepatitis, nor was there any association with fibrosis. Differences in deoxy-sphingolipids also correlated independently with the presence of the metabolic syndrome, but not diabetes. CONCLUSION: Deoxy-sphingolipids are elevated in patients with steatosis compared to those without fatty liver, but not different between the different NAFLD subtypes, suggesting that deoxy-sphingolipid bases might be involved in steatogenesis, but not in the further progression of NAFLD to NASH nor in fibrogenesis.

Lipid ligand-activated transcription factors regulating lipid storage and release in human macrophages.

Macrophages play a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis. After recruitment in the sub-endothelial space, monocytes differentiate into macrophages, accumulate lipids thus forming foam cells and secrete pro-inflammatory and matrix-degrading factors, thus playing a role in plaque development, inflammation and instability. Therefore, pharmacological modulation of macrophage functions represents an attractive strategy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis. In this review, recent advances on the role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and liver X receptor (LXR) transcription factors in the modulation of macrophage lipid homeostasis will be discussed.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors--from active regulators of macrophage biology to pharmacological targets in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Altered macrophage functions contribute to the pathogenesis of many infectious, immunological and inflammatory disease processes. Pharmacological modulation of macrophage activities therefore represents an important strategy for the prevention and treatment of inflammation-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis. This review focuses on recent advances on the role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor transcription factor family in the modulation of lipid homeostasis and the inflammatory response in macrophages and the potential participation of these actions in the modulation of metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

Association between liver X receptor alpha gene polymorphisms and risk of metabolic syndrome in French populations.

CONTEXT: The metabolic syndrome is a complex and multifactorial disorder often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The liver X receptor alpha (NR1H3) plays numerous roles in metabolic pathways involved in metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE: In the search for susceptibility genes to metabolic syndrome, we hypothesized that common genetic variation in NR1H3 gene influences metabolic syndrome susceptibility. DESIGN: Two large French population-based studies (n=1130 and 1160) including overall 664 individuals with and 1626 individuals without metabolic syndrome were genotyped for three polymorphisms (rs12221497, rs11039155 and rs2279239) of NR1H3. RESULTS: We found that the -6A allele of rs11039155 was consistently associated with a 30% reduction in risk of metabolic syndrome in the two independent population samples (adjusted OR (95% CI)=0.68 (0.53-0.86), P=0.001 for the combined sample). Moreover, it was associated with an increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations (P=0.02 for the combined sample). Neither rs12221497 nor rs11039155, both polymorphisms located in the 5' region of NR1H3, had significant influence on NR1H3 and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene expression in primary human macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NR1H3 plays an important role in the HDL-cholesterol metabolism and in the genetic susceptibility to metabolic syndrome.

Fibrates downregulate apolipoprotein C-III expression independent of induction of peroxisomal acyl coenzyme A oxidase. A potential mechanism for the hypolipidemic action of fibrates.

Epidemiological and transgenic animal studies have implicated apo C-III as a major determinant of plasma triglyceride metabolism. Since fibrates are very efficient in lowering triglycerides, it was investigated whether fibrates regulate apo C-III gene expression. Different fibrates lowered rat liver apo C-III mRNA levels up to 90% in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas intestinal apo C-III mRNA remained constant. This decrease in liver apo C-III mRNA was rapid (1 d) and reversible, since it was restored to control levels within 1 wk after cessation of treatment. In addition, fenofibrate treatment abolished the developmental rise of hepatic apo C-III mRNA observed during the suckling-weaning period. Administration of fibrates to rats induced liver and intestinal expression of the acyl CoA oxidase gene, the rate-limiting enzyme for peroxisomal beta-oxidation of fatty acids. In primary cultures of rat and human hepatocytes, fenofibric acid lowered apo C-III mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This reduction in apo C-III mRNA levels was accompanied by a decreased secretion of apo C-III in the culture medium of human hepatocytes. In rat hepatocytes fenofibric acid induced acyl CoA oxidase gene expression, whereas acyl CoA oxidase mRNA remained unchanged in human hepatocytes. Nuclear run-on and transient transfection experiments of a reporter construct driven by the human apo C-III gene promoter indicated that fibrates downregulate apo C-III gene expression at the transcriptional level. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that fibrates decrease rat and human liver apo C-III gene expression. In humans the mechanisms appears to be independent of the induction of peroxisomal enzymes. This downregulation of liver apo C-III gene expression by fibrates may contribute to the hypotriglyceridemic action of these drugs.

Fibrates increase human apolipoprotein A-II expression through activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.

In view of the evidence linking plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels to a protective effect against coronary artery disease and the widespread use of fibrates in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, the goal of this study was to analyze the influence of fibrates on the expression of apolipoprotein (apo) A-II, a major protein constituent of HDL. Administration of fenofibrate (300 mg/d) to 16 patients with coronary artery disease resulted in a marked increase in plasma apo A-II concentrations (0.34 +/- 0.11 to 0.45 +/- 0.17 grams/liter; P < 0.01). This increase in plasma apo A-II was due to a direct effect on hepatic apo A-II production, since fenofibric acid induced apo A-II mRNA levels to 450 and 250% of control levels in primary cultures of human hepatocytes and in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells respectively. The induction in apo A-II mRNA levels was followed by an increase in apo A-II secretion in both cell culture systems. Transient transfection experiments of a reporter construct driven by the human apo A-II gene promoter indicated that fenofibrate induced apo A-II gene expression at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, several other peroxisome proliferators, such as the fibrate, Wy-14643, and the fatty acid, eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), also induced apo A-II gene transcription. Unilateral deletions and site-directed mutagenesis identified a sequence element located in the J-site of the apo A-II promoter mediating the responsiveness to fibrates and fatty acids. This element contains two imperfect half sites spaced by 1 oligonucleotide similar to a peroxisome proliferator responsive element (PPRE). Cotransfection assays showed that the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) transactivates the apo A-II promoter through this AII-PPRE. Gel retardation assays demonstrated that PPAR binds to the AII-PPRE with an affinity comparable to its binding affinity to the acyl coA oxidase (ACO)-PPRE. In conclusion, in humans fibrates increase plasma apo A-II concentrations by inducing hepatic apo A-II production. Apo A-II expression is regulated at the transcriptional level by fibrates and fatty acids via the interaction of PPAR with the AII-PPRE, thereby demonstrating the pivotal role of PPAR in controlling human lipoprotein metabolism.

The expression of ob gene is not acutely regulated by insulin and fasting in human abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.

The regulation of ob gene expression in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was investigated using a reverse transcription-competitive PCR method to quantify the mRNA level of leptin. Leptin mRNA level was highly correlated with the body mass index of 26 subjects (12 lean, 7 non-insulin-dependent diabetic, and 7 obese patients). The effect of fasting on ob gene expression was investigated in 10 subjects maintained on a hypocaloric diet (1045 KJ/d) for 5 d. While their metabolic parameters significantly changed (decrease in insulinemia, glycemia, and resting metabolic rate and increase in plasma ketone bodies), the caloric restriction did not modify the leptin mRNA level in the adipose tissue. To verify whether insulin regulates ob gene expression, six lean subjects underwent a 3-h euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (846 +/- 138 pmol/liter) clamp. Leptin and Glut 4 mRNA levels were quantified in adipose tissue biopsies taken before and at the end of the clamp. Insulin infusion produced a significant threefold increase in Glut 4 mRNA while leptin mRNA was not affected. It is concluded that ob gene expression is not acutely regulated by insulin or by metabolic factors related to fasting in human abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Thiazolidinediones repress ob gene expression in rodents via activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

The ob gene product, leptin, is a signaling factor regulating body weight and energy balance. ob gene expression in rodents is increased in obesity and is regulated by feeding patterns and hormones, such as insulin and glucocorticoids. In humans with gross obesity, ob mRNA levels are higher, but other modulators of human ob expression are unknown. In view of the importance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in adipocyte differentiation, we analyzed whether ob gene expression is subject to regulation by factors activating PPARs. Treatment of rats with the PPARalpha activator fenofibrate did not change adipose tissue and body weight and had no significant effect on ob mRNA levels. However, administration of the thiazolidinedione BRL49653, a PPARgamma ligand, increased food intake and adipose tissue weight while reducing ob mRNA levels in rats in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of the thiazolidinedione BRL49653 on ob mRNA levels was also observed in vitro. Thiazolidinediones reduced the expression of the human ob promoter in primary adipocytes, however, in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes lacking endogenous PPARgamma, cotransfection of PPARgamma was required to observe the decrease. In conclusion, these data suggest that PPARgamma activators reduce ob mRNA levels through an effect of PPARgamma on the ob promoter.