Dehydroepiandrosterone activates 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and suppresses lipid accumulation and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells.

Substantial evidence has linked dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels to the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of exercise. While 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation, activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), which is inhibited by AMPK, is required for adipocyte differentiation and positively regulates lipid accumulation. DHEA treatment activates the AMPK pathway in C2C12 myotubes. Hence, DHEA addition to preadipocytes and adipocytes might activate AMPK and inhibit mTORC1, resulting in the inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid accumulation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of DHEA on the AMPK pathway, mTORC1 activity, adipocyte differentiation, and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. DHEA suppressed lipid accumulation and adipogenic marker expression during differentiation. It also activated AMPK signaling in preadipocytes and adipocytes and suppressed mTORC1 activity during differentiation. These results suggest that the activation of the AMPK pathway and inhibition of mTORC1 activity may mediate the anti-obesity effect of DHEA, providing novel molecular-level insights into its physiological functions.

Myoglobin and the regulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV.

KEY POINTS: Mitochondrial respiration is regulated by multiple elaborate mechanisms. It has been shown that muscle specific O2 binding protein, Myoglobin (Mb), is localized in mitochondria and interacts with respiratory chain complex IV, suggesting that Mb could be a factor that regulates mitochondrial respiration. Here, we demonstrate that muscle mitochondrial respiration is improved by Mb overexpression via up-regulation of complex IV activity in cultured myoblasts; in contrast, suppression of Mb expression induces a decrease in complex IV activity and mitochondrial respiration compared with the overexpression model. The present data are the first to show the biological significance of mitochondrial Mb as a potential modulator of mitochondrial respiratory capacity. ABSTRACT: Mitochondria are important organelles for metabolism, and their respiratory capacity is a primary factor in the regulation of energy expenditure. Deficiencies of cytochrome c oxidase complex IV, which reduces O2 in mitochondria, are linked to several diseases, such as mitochondrial myopathy. Moreover, mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle tissue tends to be susceptible to complex IV activity. Recently, we showed that the muscle-specific protein myoglobin (Mb) interacts with complex IV. The precise roles of mitochondrial Mb remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Mb facilitates mitochondrial respiratory capacity in skeletal muscles. Although mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were not altered in Mb-overexpressing myotubes, O2 consumption was greater in these myotubes than that in mock cells (Mock vs. Mb-Flag::GFP: state 4, 1.00 ± 0.09 vs. 1.77 ± 0.34; state 3, 1.00 ± 0.29; Mock: 1.60 ± 0.53; complex 2-3-4: 1.00 ± 0.30 vs. 1.50 ± 0.44; complex IV: 1.00 ± 0.14 vs. 1.87 ± 0.27). This improvement in respiratory capacity could be because of the activation of enzymatic activity of respiratory complexes. Moreover, mitochondrial respiration was up-regulated in myoblasts transiently overexpressing Mb; complex IV activity was solely activated in Mb-overexpressing myoblasts, and complex IV activity was decreased in the myoblasts in which Mb expression was suppressed by Mb-siRNA transfection (Mb vector transfected vs. Mb vector, control siRNA transfected vs. Mb vector, Mb siRNA transfected: 0.15 vs. 0.15 vs. 0.06). Therefore, Mb enhances the enzymatic activity of complex IV to ameliorate mitochondrial respiratory capacity, and could play a pivotal role in skeletal muscle metabolism.

Dehydroepiandrosterone activates AMP kinase and regulates GLUT4 and PGC-1α expression in C2C12 myotubes.

Exercise and caloric restriction (CR) have been reported to have anti-ageing, anti-obesity, and health-promoting effects. Both interventions increase the level of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in muscle and blood, suggesting that DHEA might partially mediate these effects. In addition, it is thought that either 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) mediates the beneficial effects of exercise and CR. However, the effects of DHEA on AMPK activity and PGC-1α expression remain unclear. Therefore, we explored whether DHEA in myotubes acts as an activator of AMPK and increases PGC-1α. DHEA exposure increased glucose uptake but not the phosphorylation levels of Akt and PKCζ/λ in C2C12 myotubes. In contrast, the phosphorylation levels of AMPK were elevated by DHEA exposure. Finally, we found that DHEA induced the expression of the genes PGC-1α and GLUT4. Our current results might reveal a previously unrecognized physiological role of DHEA; the activation of AMPK and the induction of PGC-1α by DHEA might mediate its anti-obesity and health-promoting effects in living organisms.

Modest hypoxia significantly reduces triglyceride content and lipid droplet size in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: A previous study has demonstrated that endurance training under hypoxia results in a greater reduction in body fat mass compared to exercise under normoxia. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie this hypoxia-mediated reduction in fat mass remain uncertain. Here, we examine the effects of modest hypoxia on adipocyte function. METHODS: Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated at 5% O2 for 1 week (long-term hypoxia, HL) or one day (short-term hypoxia, HS) and compared with a normoxia control (NC). RESULTS: HL, but not HS, resulted in a significant reduction in lipid droplet size and triglyceride content (by 50%) compared to NC (p<0.01). As estimated by glycerol release, isoproterenol-induced lipolysis was significantly lowered by hypoxia, whereas the release of free fatty acids under the basal condition was prominently enhanced with HL compared to NC or HS (p<0.01). Lipolysis-associated proteins, such as perilipin 1 and hormone-sensitive lipase, were unchanged, whereas adipose triglyceride lipase and its activator protein CGI-58 were decreased with HL in comparison to NC. Interestingly, such lipogenic proteins as fatty acid synthase, lipin-1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma were decreased. Furthermore, the uptake of glucose, the major precursor of 3-glycerol phosphate for triglyceride synthesis, was significantly reduced in HL compared to NC or HS (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: We conclude that hypoxia has a direct impact on reducing the triglyceride content and lipid droplet size via decreased glucose uptake and lipogenic protein expression and increased basal lipolysis. Such an hypoxia-induced decrease in lipogenesis may be an attractive therapeutic target against lipid-associated metabolic diseases.

Caffeine increases myoglobin expression via the cyclic AMP pathway in L6 myotubes.

Myoglobin is an important regulator of muscle and whole-body metabolism and exercise capacity. Caffeine, an activator of the calcium and cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, enhances glucose uptake, fat oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle cells. However, no study has shown that caffeine increases the endogenous expression of myoglobin in muscle cells. Further, the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of myoglobin expression remains unclear. Therefore, our aim was to investigate whether caffeine and activators of the calcium signaling and cAMP/PKA pathway increase the expression of myoglobin in L6 myotubes and whether the pathway mediates caffeine-induced myoglobin expression. Caffeine increased myoglobin expression and activated the cAMP/PKA pathway in L6 muscle cells. Additionally, a cAMP analog significantly increased myoglobin expression, whereas a ryanodine receptor agonist showed no significant effect. Finally, PKA inhibition significantly suppressed caffeine-induced myoglobin expression in L6 myotubes. These results suggest that caffeine increases myoglobin expression via the cAMP/PKA pathway in skeletal muscle cells.

Mixed lactate and caffeine compound increases satellite cell activity and anabolic signals for muscle hypertrophy.

We examined whether a mixed lactate and caffeine compound (LC) could effectively elicit proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells or activate anabolic signals in skeletal muscles. We cultured C2C12 cells with either lactate or LC for 6 h. We found that lactate significantly increased myogenin and follistatin protein levels and phosphorylation of P70S6K while decreasing the levels of myostatin relative to the control. LC significantly increased protein levels of Pax7, MyoD, and Ki67 in addition to myogenin, relative to control. LC also significantly increased follistatin expression relative to control and stimulated phosphorylation of mTOR and P70S6K. In an in vivo study, male F344/DuCrlCrlj rats were assigned to control (Sed, n = 10), exercise (Ex, n = 12), and LC supplementation (LCEx, n = 13) groups. LC was orally administered daily. The LCEx and Ex groups were exercised on a treadmill, running for 30 min at low intensity every other day for 4 wk. The LCEx group experienced a significant increase in the mass of the gastrocnemius (GA) and tibialis anterior (TA) relative to both the Sed and Ex groups. Furthermore, the LCEx group showed a significant increase in the total DNA content of TA compared with the Sed group. The LCEx group experienced a significant increase in myogenin and follistatin expression of GA relative to the Ex group. These results suggest that administration of LC can effectively increase muscle mass concomitant with elevated numbers of myonuclei, even with low-intensity exercise training, via activated satellite cells and anabolic signals.

Berberine-induced activation of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and glucose transport in rat skeletal muscles.

Berberine (BBR) is the main alkaloid of Coptis chinensis, which has been used as a folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus in Asian countries. We explored the possibility that 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in metabolic enhancement by BBR in skeletal muscle, the important tissue for glucose metabolism. Isolated rat epitrochlearis and soleus muscles were incubated in a buffer containing BBR, and activation of AMPK and related events were examined. In response to BBR treatment, the Thr(172) phosphorylation of the catalytic α-subunit of AMPK, an essential step for full kinase activation, increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Ser(79) phosphorylation of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, an intracellular substrate of AMPK, increased correspondingly. Analysis of isoform-specific AMPK activity revealed that BBR activated both the α1 and α2 isoforms of the catalytic subunit. This increase in enzyme activity was associated with an increased rate of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose transport in the absence of insulin and with phosphorylation of AS160, a signaling intermediary leading to glucose transporter 4 translocation. The intracellular energy status estimated from the phosphocreatine concentration was decreased by BBR. These results suggest that BBR acutely stimulates both AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 and insulin-independent glucose transport in skeletal muscle with a reduction of the intracellular energy status.

Leucine modulates contraction- and insulin-stimulated glucose transport and upstream signaling events in rat skeletal muscle.

Leucine has profound effects on glucose metabolism in muscle; however, the effects of leucine on glucose transport in muscle have not been well documented. We investigated the effects of leucine on contraction- and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in isolated rat epitrochlearis muscle in vitro. In the absence of insulin, tetanic contraction increased 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3-MG) transport and Thr(172) phosphorylation of the catalytic alpha-subunit of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a signaling intermediary leading to insulin-independent glucose transport. Leucine (2 mM, 30 min) significantly enhanced contraction-stimulated 3-MG transport and AMPK phosphorylation, accompanied by increased phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) Thr(389). The stimulatory effects of leucine on 3-MG transport and AMPK phosphorylation were canceled by STO-609 blockade of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) or rapamycin blockade of p70S6K. On the other hand, leucine blunted insulin-stimulated 3-MG transport and reduced insulin-stimulated Akt Thr(473) phosphorylation. Leucine increased insulin-stimulated p70S6K Thr(389) phosphorylation and enhanced the inhibitory phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) Ser(636/639). Furthermore, the effects of leucine on insulin-stimulated 3-MG transport and IRS phosphorylation were abolished by rapamycin. These results indicate that leucine activates contraction-stimulated glucose transport and inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle by activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6K signaling. Enhanced increases in contraction-stimulated AMPK Thr(172) phosphorylation and insulin-stimulated IRS1 Ser(636/639) phosphorylation might be responsible for these opposing effects of leucine, respectively.

Caffeine acutely activates 5'adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and increases insulin-independent glucose transport in rat skeletal muscles.

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) has been implicated in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism including actions such as insulin-independent glucose transport, glucose transporter 4 expression, and fatty acid utilization in skeletal muscle. These effects are similar to the exercise-induced and 5'adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated metabolic changes in skeletal muscle, suggesting that caffeine is involved in the regulation of muscle metabolism through AMPK activation. We explored whether caffeine acts on skeletal muscle to stimulate AMPK. Incubation of rat epitrochlearis and soleus muscles with Krebs buffer containing caffeine (> or =3 mmol/L, > or =15 minutes) increased the phosphorylation of AMPKalpha Thr(172), an essential step for full kinase activation, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase Ser(79), a downstream target of AMPK, in dose- and time-dependent manners. Analysis of isoform-specific AMPK activity revealed that both AMPKalpha1 and alpha2 activities increased significantly. This enzyme activation was associated with a reduction in phosphocreatine content and an increased rate of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose transport activity in the absence of insulin. These results suggest that caffeine has similar actions to exercise by acutely stimulating skeletal muscle AMPK activity and insulin-independent glucose transport with a reduction of the intracellular energy status.

Morus alba leaf extract stimulates 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase in isolated rat skeletal muscle.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Morus alba (mulberry) leaf is a natural therapeutic agent that has been shown to have an antidiabetic effect. We explored the possibility that 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in metabolic enhancement by the Morus alba leaf. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolated rat epitrochlearis muscle was incubated in a buffer containing Morus alba leaf hot water extract (MLE) and the AMPK activation and related events were examined. RESULTS: In response to MLE treatment, the Thr(172) phosphorylation of the catalytic alpha subunit of AMPK, an essential step for full kinase activation increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Ser(79) phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxylase, an intracellular substrate of AMPK, increased similarly. Analysis of isoform-specific AMPK activity revealed that MLE activated both the alpha1 and alpha2 isoforms of the catalytic subunit. This increase in enzyme activity was associated with an increased rate of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport in the absence of insulin and with phosphorylation of AS160, a signaling intermediary leading to glucose transporter 4 translocation. The intracellular energy status, estimated from the ATP and phosphocreatine concentrations, was not affected by MLE. CONCLUSION: MLE stimulates skeletal muscle AMPK activity acutely without changing the intracellular energy status.

Abnormality in fibre type distribution of soleus and plantaris muscles in non-obese diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

1. Fibre type distributions of the slow soleus and fast plantaris muscles were investigated in 5-, 9- and 20-week-old male Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, as an animal model of non-obese diabetes, and were compared with those of age-matched non-diabetic Wistar rats. 2. Bodyweight and both soleus and plantaris muscle weights were lower in GK rats than in Wistar rats, regardless of age. In addition, both relative soleus and plantaris muscle weights per bodyweight were lower in GK rats than in Wistar rats, regardless of age. 3. In the soleus muscle, a higher percentage of type I fibres and a lower percentage of type IIA fibres were observed in 5- and 9-week-old GK rats. In addition, there were no type IIA fibres in 20-week-old GK rats. 4. In the plantaris muscle, there were no differences in fibre type distribution of 5-week-old GK rats. However, a higher percentage of type IIB fibres and a lower percentage of type I and type IIA fibres were observed in 9- and 20-week-old GK rats. In addition, there were no type I fibres in 20-week-old GK rats. 5. These results indicate that the decreased percentage of high-oxidative fibres (e.g. type IIA fibres in the soleus muscle and type I and type IIA fibres in the plantaris muscle) of the diabetic animals is concerned with an impairment in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism and is not related to bodyweight.