DNA Microarray and Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals the Potential of Whale Oil in Enhancing Hair Growth in a C57BL/6 Mice Dorsal Skin Model.

Much research has been conducted to determine how hair regeneration is regulated, as this could provide therapeutic, cosmetic, and even psychological interventions for hair loss. The current study focused on the hair growth effect and effective utilization of fatty oil obtained from Bryde's whales through a high-throughput DNA microarray approach in conjunction with immunohistochemical observations. The research also examined the mechanisms and factors involved in hair growth. In an experiment using female C57BL/6J mice, the vehicle control group (VC: propylene glycol: ethanol: water), the positive control group (MXD: 3% minoxidil), and the experimental group (WO: 20% whale oil) were topically applied to the dorsal skin of the mouse. The results showed that 3% MXD and 20% WO were more effective than VC in promoting hair growth, especially 20% WO. Furthermore, in hematoxylin and eosin-stained dorsal skin tissue, an increase in the number of hair follicles and subcutaneous tissue thickness was observed with 20% WO. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis also confirmed increases for 20% WO in filaggrin (Flg), a gene related to skin barrier function; fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21), which is involved in hair follicle development; and cysteine-rich secretory protein 1 (Crisp1), a candidate gene for alopecia areata. Furthermore, the results of KEGG pathway analysis indicated that 20% WO may have lower stress and inflammatory responses than 3% MXD. Therefore, WO is expected to be a safe hair growth agent.

Fish oil consumption prevents hepatic lipid accumulation induced by high-cholesterol feeding in obese KK mice.

Fish oil (FO) is rich in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has been demonstrated that FO intake possesses lipid-lowering properties. Conversely, a high-cholesterol (CH) diet promotes lipid accumulation in the liver and induces fatty liver. This study investigated the effects of FO feeding on hepatic lipid accumulation induced by high-cholesterol feeding in KK mice. All experimental diets had a fat energy ratio of 25%, the SO group had all fat sources as safflower oil (SO), the 12.5 FO group had half of the SO replaced with FO, and the 25 FO group had all of the SO replaced with FO, each with or without 2 weight % (wt%) cholesterol (SO/CH, 12.5 FO/CH, and 25 FO/CH groups, respectively), for 8 weeks. The hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the 25 FO/CH group than in the SO/CH group. The hepatic mRNAs of fatty acid synthesis-related genes were downregulated by the FO feeding groups. In view of importance to establish the benefit of FO for preventing severe NAFLD, our results suggest that FO intake prevents excessive hepatic fat accumulation induced by a high-cholesterol diet in obese KK mice through the inhibition of fatty acid synthesis.

Effect of Intracerebroventricular Administration of Galanin-Like Peptide on Hepatokines in C57BL/6 J Mice.

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a neuropeptide that was first isolated and identified from the porcine hypothalamus. Studies have described an anti-obesity effect of GALP. We previously found that intracerebroventricular administration of GALP in mice resulted in an increase in respiratory exchange rate 12 to 16 h later. GALP may also affect glucose metabolism, but the detailed mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of GALP on glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. Nine-week-old male C57BL / 6 J mice were administered a single intracerebroventricular dose of saline or GALP and dissected 16 h later. There were no significant between-group differences in body weight and blood glucose levels. With regard to gene and protein expression, G6Pase associated with hepatic gluconeogenesis was significantly reduced in the GALP group. In addition, the hepatokines selenoprotein P and fetuin-A, which induce insulin resistance in the liver, were significantly decreased in the GALP group. These results suggest that intracerebroventricular administration of GALP decreases the expression of key hepatokines, thereby enhancing glucose metabolism.

Fish oil-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids downregulate aquaporin 9 protein expression of liver and white adipose tissues in diabetic KK mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Aquaporin 9 (AQP9) is an integral membrane protein that facilitates glycerol transport in hepatocytes and adipocytes. Glycerol is necessary as a substrate for gluconeogenesis in the physiological fasted state, suggesting that inhibiting AQP9 function may be beneficial for treating type 2 diabetes associated with fasting hyperglycemia. The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are rich in fish oil and lower the risk of metabolic syndrome; however, the effects of EPA and DHA on AQP9 expression in obese and type 2 diabetes are unclear. The KK mouse is an animal model of obesity and type 2 diabetes because of the polymorphisms on leptin receptor gene, which results in a part of cause for obese and diabetic conditions. In this study, we determined the effect of fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA on AQP9 protein expression in the liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) of KK mice and mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The expression of AQP9 protein in the liver, epididymal WAT, and inguinal WAT were markedly decreased following fish oil administration. We also demonstrated that n-3 PUFAs, such as DHA, and to a lesser extent EPA, downregulated AQP9 protein expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results suggest that fish oil-derived n-3 PUFAs may regulate the protein expressions of AQP9 in glycerol metabolism-related organs in KK mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The NERP-4-SNAT2 axis regulates pancreatic ß-cell maintenance and function.

Insulin secretion from pancreatic ß cells is regulated by multiple stimuli, including nutrients, hormones, neuronal inputs, and local signalling. Amino acids modulate insulin secretion via amino acid transporters expressed on ß cells. The granin protein VGF has dual roles in ß cells: regulating secretory granule formation and functioning as a multiple peptide precursor. A VGF-derived peptide, neuroendocrine regulatory peptide-4 (NERP-4), increases Ca2+ influx in the pancreata of transgenic mice expressing apoaequorin, a Ca2+-induced bioluminescent protein complex. NERP-4 enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated human and mouse islets and ß-cell-derived MIN6-K8 cells. NERP-4 administration reverses the impairment of ß-cell maintenance and function in db/db mice by enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing metabolic stress. NERP-4 acts on sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2), thereby increasing glutamine, alanine, and proline uptake into ß cells and stimulating insulin secretion. SNAT2 deletion and inhibition abolish the protective effects of NERP-4 on ß-cell maintenance. These findings demonstrate a novel autocrine mechanism of ß-cell maintenance and function that is mediated by the peptide-amino acid transporter axis.

Association of Aquaporin 7 and 9 with Obesity and Fatty Liver in db/db Mice.

Aquaporin (AQP) 7 and AQP9 are membrane channel proteins called aquaglyceroporins and are related to glucose and lipid metabolism. AQP7 is mainly expressed in white adipose tissue (WAT) and is involved in releasing glycerol into the bloodstream. AQP9 is the glycerol channel in the liver that supplies glycerol to the hepatic cells. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the expression of aquaglyceroporins and lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity and fatty liver, using 22-week-old db/db mice. Body weight, WAT, and liver weight showed increases in db/db mice. The levels of liver lipids, plasma lipids, insulin, and leptin were also increased in db/db mice. Gene expression related to fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis in the liver was enhanced in db/db mice. In addition, gene and protein expression of gluconeogenesis-related enzymes was increased. Conversely, lipolysis-related gene expression in WAT was reduced. In the db/db mice, AQP9 expression in the liver was raised; however, AQP7 expression in WAT was reduced. These results suggest that in db/db mice, enhanced hepatic AQP9 expression increased the supply of glycerol to the liver and induced fatty liver and hyperglycemia. Additionally, reduced AQP7 expression in WAT is associated with excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Aquaglyceroporins are essential molecules for glucose and lipid metabolism, and may be potential target molecules for the treatment of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases.

Transcriptomic (DNA Microarray) and Metabolome (LC-TOF-MS) Analyses of the Liver in High-Fat Diet Mice after Intranasal Administration of GALP (Galanin-like Peptide).

The aim of this research was to test the efficacy and potential clinical application of intranasal administration of galanin-like peptide (GALP) as an anti-obesity treatment under the hypothesis that GALP prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Focusing on the mechanism of regulation of lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues via the autonomic nervous system, we confirmed that, compared with a control (saline), intranasally administered GALP prevented further body weight gain in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice with continued access to an HFD. Using an omics-based approach, we identified several genes and metabolites in the liver tissue of DIO mice that were altered by the administration of intranasal GALP. We used whole-genome DNA microarray and metabolomics analyses to determine the anti-obesity effects of intranasal GALP in DIO mice fed an HFD. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the upregulation of flavin-containing dimethylaniline monooxygenase 3 (Fmo3), metallothionein 1 and 2 (Mt1 and Mt2, respectively), and the Aldh1a3, Defa3, and Defa20 genes. Analysis using the DAVID tool showed that intranasal GALP enhanced gene expression related to fatty acid elongation and unsaturated fatty acid synthesis and downregulated gene expression related to lipid and cholesterol synthesis, fat absorption, bile uptake, and excretion. Metabolite analysis revealed increased levels of coenzyme Q10 and oleoylethanolamide in the liver tissue, increased levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA) in the bile acids, increased levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), and decreased levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In conclusion, intranasal GALP administration alleviated weight gain in obese mice fed an HFD via mechanisms involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and fatty acid metabolism effects and genetic alterations. The gene expression data are publicly available at NCBI GSE243376.

Docosapentaenoic acid-rich oil lowers plasma glucose and lipids in a mouse model of diabetes and mild obesity.

Many studies have investigated the beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as their potential for lowering lipid levels and reducing diabetes risk. However, few studies have specifically examined docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with limited availability in its pure form. We hypothesized that DPA would have lipid-lowering effects and improve insulin resistance in KK/Ta mice. To test our hypothesis, 7-week-old KK/Ta mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity before being divided into 3 groups and fed an experimental diet for 10 weeks. The experimental diets were: LSO, using lard and safflower oil as fat sources; SO, in which lard in the LSO diet was replaced with safflower oil; and DPA, in which lard in the LSO diet was replaced with DPA oil. After 10 weeks, plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased in the DPA group, but not in the SO group. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 gene expressions involved in fatty acid synthesis in the liver were significantly lower in the DPA group compared with the LSO group. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly decreased in both the SO group and the DPA group compared with the LSO group, whereas plasma insulin concentrations were significantly decreased in the DPA group alone. These results indicate that DPA has plasma lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic effects, possibly from suppression of fatty acid synthesis in the liver.

Effect of PACAP on Heat Exposure.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness caused by exposure to high ambient temperatures and relative humidity. The incidence of heat stroke is expected to increase due to climate change. Although pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been implicated in thermoregulation, the role of PACAP on heat stress remains unclear. PACAP knockout (KO) and wild-type ICR mice were subjected to heat exposure at an ambient temperature of 36 °C and relative humidity of 99% for 30-150 min. After heat exposure, the PACAP KO mice had a greater survival rate and maintained a lower body temperature than the wild-type mice. Moreover, the gene expression and immunoreaction of c-Fos in the ventromedially preoptic area of the hypothalamus, which is known to harbor temperature-sensitive neurons, were significantly lower in PACAP KO mice than those in wild-type mice. In addition, differences were observed in the brown adipose tissue, the primary site of heat production, between PACAP KO and wild-type mice. These results suggest that PACAP KO mice are resistant to heat exposure. The heat production mechanism differs between PACAP KO and wild-type mice.

Histopathological and aquaporin7 mRNA expression analyzes in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of obese db/db mice.

The aim of this study is to examine 1) muscle fiber type composition, 2) myofiber diameter, and 3) aquaporin (AQP) 7 and AQP 9 mRNA expressions by quantitative PCR in muscles of obese db/db mice. The myofiber type composition of skeletal muscle was not statistically significantly different between db/db mice and control mice; while the average myofiber diameter ratio showed a decrease in db/db mice. The expression of AQP7 but not AQP9 mRNA in the skeletal and cardiac muscles was significantly upregulated in db/db mice. Thus this study revealed quantitatively that type 2 myofiber atrophy was shown in the skeletal muscles of db/db mice. AQP7 mRNA expression was upregulated in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of db/db mice.

Impact of discontinuation of fish oil after pioglitazone-fish oil combination therapy in diabetic KK mice.

Pioglitazone is one of the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and an insulin-sensitive drug for type 2 diabetes. In our previous study, a combination of pioglitazone and fish oil rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was shown to inhibit pioglitazone-induced side effects, such as accumulation of subcutaneous fat and body weight gain. However, the effects of the discontinuation of fish oil after combination treatment with TZD and fish oil are not clear. In this study, discontinuation of fish oil for 4 weeks showed several unfavorable effects: (1) return of plasma adiponectin level, (2) reversal of the inhibition of lipogenesis and activation of fatty acid ß-oxidation in liver, (3) increase in hypertrophic adipocytes in epidydimal white adipose tissue (WAT) and (4) accumulation of lipids in brown adipose tissue (BAT). However, insulin resistance was ameliorated by pioglitazone with or without fish oil treatment and the discontinuation of fish oil. These findings indicate that discontinuation of n-3 PUFA after combination therapy with TZDs adversely affects lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in liver, epididymal WAT and BAT.

Regulation of Feeding Behavior and Energy Metabolism by Galanin-like Peptide (GALP): A Novel Strategy to Fight Against Obesity.

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is composed of 60 amino acid residues and its sequence is highly homologous across species. GALP is produced in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and has diverse physiological effects such as the regulation of feeding, energy metabolism, and reproductive behavior. GALP-containing neurons express leptin receptors and these neurons form networks in the hypothalamus that contain various peptides that regulate feeding behavior. Recent studies have revealed that GALP has a central anti-obesity action in addition to its role in food intake regulation. Furthermore, we have found that the respiratory quotient declines shortly after administration of GALP into the lateral ventricle. This suggests that lipid metabolism is accelerated by GALP administration, and identifies a new physiological action for this peptide. In this review article, we summarize our recent research focusing on the mechanism whereby GALP regulates feeding and energy metabolism. We concentrate on the mechanism of regulation of lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues via the autonomic nervous system and outline the effectiveness of the nasal administration of GALP and basic research towards its clinical application.

Benefits of combination low-dose pioglitazone plus fish oil on aged type 2 diabetes mice.

The elderly patients with type 2 diabetes suffer more adverse drug events than young adults due to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes associated with aging. Reducing the risks of these medication-related problems are equally important for the clinical care of older type 2 diabetes patients. Pioglitazone is used for treating type 2 diabetes as an oral antidiabetic drug. Despite pioglitazone is used helpful insulin sensitizers, the accumulation of subcutaneous fat is considered a major adverse effect of pioglitazone therapy. We investigated to reduce the adverse effect of pioglitazone by combination with fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in aged diabetic KK mice. The accumulation of subcutaneous fat associated with high-dose pioglitazone is reduced by fish oil, suppressing lipogenesis and stimulating fatty acid ß-oxidation in the liver. Our data suggest that adding fish oil to low-dose pioglitazone results in antidiabetic efficacy similar to that of the high-dose without concomitant body weight gain.

Activation of AMPK-Regulated CRH Neurons in the PVH is Sufficient and Necessary to Induce Dietary Preference for Carbohydrate over Fat.

Food selection is essential for metabolic homeostasis and is influenced by nutritional state, food palatability, and social factors such as stress. However, the mechanism responsible for selection between a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) and a high-fat diet (HFD) remains unknown. Here, we show that activation of a subset of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-positive neurons in the rostral region of the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) induces selection of an HCD over an HFD in mice during refeeding after fasting, resulting in a rapid recovery from the change in ketone metabolism. These neurons manifest activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) during food deprivation, and this activation is necessary and sufficient for selection of an HCD over an HFD. Furthermore, this effect is mediated by carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1c (CPT1c). Thus, our results identify the specific neurons and intracellular signaling pathway responsible for regulation of the complex behavior of selection between an HCD and an HFD. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Fish oil and fenofibrate inhibit pancreatic islet hypertrophy, and improve glucose and lipid metabolic dysfuntions with different ways in diabetic KK mice.

We examined the effects of fish oil and fenofibrate (FF) on the pancreatic islet hypertrophy, and on the modification of glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunctions in KK mice with insulin resistance. The mice were fed one of four diets [25en% lard/safflower oil (LSO), 25en% fish oil (FO), or each of these diets plus 0.1wt% FF (LSO/FF, FO/FF)] for 9 weeks. FO group and both FF groups had significantly lower final body and adipose tissue weights than LSO group. Pancreatic islet hypertrophy was observed only in LSO group but not in the other groups with fish oil or FF. And, it is likely that fish oil has a stronger therapeutic effect on islet hypertrophy. Plasma adiponectin level was significantly higher in FO group but not in both FF groups. Expression of hepatic lipogenic enzyme genes such as fatty acid synthase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) was lower in FO groups with or without FF, whereas fatty acid oxidation-related mRNAs such as acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX) and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) were more abundant in FF groups with or without fish oil. Our results suggest that both fish oil and FF improve pancreatic islet hypertrophy with the amelioration of insulin resistance. Fish oil enhances insulin sensitivity by increasing plasma adiponectin; however, the beneficial effect of FF on insulin resistance seems to be independent of the plasma adiponectin level. These results mean that improvement of glucose and lipid metabolic dysfuctions in diabetic KK mice are independently approached by fish oil and FF.

Effect of Intranasal Administration of Galanin-like Peptide (GALP) on Body Weight and Hepatic Lipids Accumulation in Mice with Diet-induced Obesity.

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a neuropeptide involved in the regulation of food intake behavior, body weight and energy metabolism. In previous studies, we demonstrated that the intranasal administration of GALP has weight loss effects, although the mechanism of this action was not clarified. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the functional significance of GALP on lipid metabolism in the liver. Mice were fed a high fat diet to cause diet-induced obesity (DIO) and then administered GALP intranasally for 2 weeks (experimental), or vehicle (control). Body weights, along with lipid levels in the plasma and liver, and lipid metabolism-related gene expression in the liver were subsequently measured. Body weight gain was decreased by the GALP treatment compared to the control group. Lipid droplet levels in hepatocytes and hepatic triglyceride levels were decreased in the GALP group compared with the vehicle group, whereas hepatic fatty acid ß-oxidation-related gene mRNA levels were increased in the GALP group. These results suggest that the intranasal administration of GALP has an inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation in the liver.

Protective effects of fish oil and pioglitazone on pancreatic tissue in obese KK mice with type 2 diabetes.

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have protective effects against the pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction through several mechanisms. Thiazolidines are insulin sensitizers and are used in treating patients with type 2 diabetes. Our previous study demonstrated that a combination of fish oil, which is rich with EPA and DHA, and pioglitazone exerts beneficial effects on obesity and diabetes through their actions on the liver and adipose tissue. However, it remains largely unknown whether such combination therapy affects the pancreas. To answer this question, KK mice, which serve as a model for obesity and type 2 diabetes, were treated for 8 weeks with fish oil and pioglitazone. The combined regimen suppressed pancreatic islet hypertrophy (mean islet area decreased by an average of 49% vs. control) compared with mice treated with fish oil or pioglitazone alone (decreased by an average of 21% and 32% vs. control, respectively). Compared with the controls, individual or combined treatment significantly increased the percentage of ß-cell area in the pancreatic islets, significantly decreased endoplasmic reticulum stress, and reduced the percentage of apoptotic cell death in the pancreatic islets. These findings suggest that fish oil and/or pioglitazone prevents ß-cell dysfunction by improving the insulin resistance and decreasing the ER stress.

Behavioral and omics analyses study on potential involvement of dipeptide balenine through supplementation in diet of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8.

This study investigates effects of dipeptide balenine, as a major component of whale meat extract (hereafter, WME), supplementation on senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model at level of learning and memory formation and brain expression profiles genome-wide in brain. Mice fed experimental balenine (+ WME) supplemented diet for 26 weeks were subjected to four behavioral tests - open field, Y-maze, new object recognition, and water-filled multiple T-maze - to examine effects on learning and memory. Brain transcriptome of SAMP8 mice-fed the WME diet over control low-safflower oil (LSO) diet-fed mice was delineated on a 4 × 44 K mouse whole genome DNA microarray chip. Results revealed the WME diet not only induced improvements in the learning and memory formation but also positively modulated changes in the brain of the SAMP8 mouse; the gene inventories are publically available for analysis by the scientific community. Interestingly, the SAMP8 mouse model presented many genetic characteristics of AD, and numerous novel molecules (Slc2a5, Treh, Fbp1, Aldob, Ppp1r1a, DNase1, Agxt2l1, Cyp2e1, Acsm1, Acsm2, and Pah) were revealed over the SAMR1 (senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1) mouse, to be oppositely regulated/recovered under the balenine (+ WME) supplemented diet regime by DNA microarray and bioinformatics analyses. Our present study demonstrates an experimental strategy to understand the effects of dipeptide balenine, prominetly contained in meat diet, on SAMP8, providing new insight into whole brain transcriptome changes genome-wide. The gene expression data has been deposited into the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO): GSE76459. The data will be a valuable resource in examining the effects of natural products, and which could also serve as a human model for further functional analysis and investigation.

Anti-obesity effect of intranasal administration of galanin-like peptide (GALP) in obese mice.

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) has an anti-obesity effect in rats and mice. It has been reported that the uptake of GALP by the brain is higher after intranasal administration than with intravenous injection. This study therefore aimed to clarify the effect of intranasal administration of GALP on the feeding behavior of lean and obese mice. Autoradiography revealed the presence of (125)I-GALP in the olfactory bulb and the brain microcirculation. The body weights of ob/ob mice gradually increased during vehicle treatment, but remained unchanged in response to repeated intranasal administration of GALP, with both ob/ob and diet-induced obese mice displaying significantly decreased food intake, water intake and locomotor activity when treated with GALP. These results suggest that intranasal administration is an effective route whereby GALP can exert its effect as an anti-obesity drug.