Morinda citrifolia (Noni) fruit juice promotes vascular endothelium function in hypertension via glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor-CaMKKß-AMPK-eNOS pathway.

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) is extensively used in herbal remedies to prevent and treat various diseases, including hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular effects of noni fruit juice and characterize the upstream signaling pathways. We measured the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, 24-hr urinary nitric oxide (NO) metabolite excretion, bodyweight (BW), and urine examination in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHR/cp) rats after 6 weeks noni juice (15 ml/kg) treatment. Noni juice significantly decreased blood pressure and 24-hr urinary NO metabolite without change of BW or urine volume. Furthermore, the noni juice extract (NJE) promoted endothelial vasorelaxation in rat aorta rings and NO product through an increase in phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). NJE might act on a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) via Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase ß (CaMKKß)-AMPK signaling with pretreatment of their inhibitors or antagonist in HUVECs. Deacetylasperulosidic acid (DAA) was an active compound in noni juice to improve NO release through same pathway in HUVECs. These results suggested that noni is a novel dietary plant that probably regulates GLP-1R-induced CaMKKß-AMPK-eNOS pathway to improve endothelium-dependent relaxation, thus reduce the blood pressure probably via one of its responsible ingredient DAA.

Evaluation of the Effects and Mechanism of L-Citrulline on Anti-obesity by Appetite Suppression in Obese/Diabetic KK-Ay Mice and High-Fat Diet Fed SD Rats.

L-Citrulline (L-Cit), a free amino acid from watermelon, has effects on hypertension and anti-oxidization; however, there are few reports of effects related to obesity. This study investigated the effects and mechanism of L-Cit on anti-obesity in obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice and high-fat diet fed Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. L-Cit induced significant reduction of food intake, body weight and fat tissue mass in obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice. Moreover, blood glucose level did not change but free fatty acid level and serum insulin level were significantly decreased by treatment with L-Cit, suggesting that L-Cit improved glucose and fatty metabolism in obesity model mice. As well as obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice, there was a significant decrease in food intake and a tendency of body weight to decrease in high-fat diet fed SD rats treated with L-Cit. Also, levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), a food intake suppression peptide, increased in the hypothalamus. Our study suggests that L-Cit improves metabolic syndrome through decreased body weight by appetite suppression.

Wasabi leaf extracts attenuate adipocyte hypertrophy through PPARγ and AMPK.

Hypertrophy of adipocytes in obese adipose tissues causes metabolic abnormality by adipocytokine dysregulation, which promotes type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. We investigated the effects of wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum) leaf extracts on metabolic abnormalities in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/IzmDmcr rats (SHRSP/ZF), which are a model of metabolic syndrome. Male SHRSP/ZF rats aged 7 weeks were divided into two groups: control and wasabi leaf extract (WLE) groups, which received water or oral treatment with 4 g/kg/day WLE for 6 weeks. WLE improved the body weight gain and high blood pressure in SHRSP/ZF rats, and the plasma triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the WLE group. Adipocyte hypertrophy was markedly prevented in adipose tissue. The expression of PPARγ and subsequent downstream genes was suppressed in the WLE group adipose tissues. Our data suggest that WLE inhibits adipose hypertrophy by suppressing PPARγ expression in adipose tissue and stimulating the AMPK activity by increased adiponectin.

L-Citrulline increases hepatic sensitivity to insulin by reducing the phosphorylation of serine 1101 in insulin receptor substrate-1.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is characterized by deficient responses to insulin in its target tissues. In the present study, we examined the effects of L-Citrulline (L-Cit) on insulin sensitivity and signaling cascades in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells and SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/IzmDmcr rats. METHODS: H4IIE cells were pretreated in the presence or absence of 250 µM L-Cit in serum-free medium and then incubated in the presence or absence of 0.1 nM insulin. Rats were allocated into 2 groups; a control group (not treated) and L-Cit group (2 g/kg/day, L-Cit) and treated for 8 weeks. RESULTS: L-Cit enhanced the insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt in H4IIE cells. Moreover, the inhibited expression of Dex/cAMP-induced PEPCK mRNA by insulin was enhanced by the L-Cit treatment. The phosphorylation of tyrosine, which is upstream of Akt, in insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) was increased by the L-Cit treatment. The L-Cit-induced enhancement in insulin signaling was not related to the binding affinity of insulin to the insulin receptor or to the expression of the insulin receptor, but to a decrease in the phosphorylation of serine 1101 in IRS-1. These results were also confirmed in animal experiments. In the livers of L-Cit-treated rats, PI3K/Akt signaling was improved by decreases in the phosphorylation of serine 1101. CONCLUSIONS: We herein demonstrated for the first time the beneficial effects of L-Cit on improved insulin resistance associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity. These results may have clinical applications for insulin resistance and the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Qiwei granules alleviates podocyte lesion in kidney of diabetic KK-Ay mice.

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicine comprised of all natural herbs is widespread used in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Podocyte contributes to the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier whose injury plays an important role in the initiation and progression of DN. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of Qiwei granules on podocyte lesion in diabetic KK-A(y) mice kidney and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Twelve-week-old male KK-A(y) mice were randomly divided in vehicle group and Qiwei granules group, while C57BL/6J mice were used as normal control. The mice were gavage with 1.37 g/kg/day Qiwei granules or water for 10 weeks. We measured water, food intake and body weight (BW) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) every 2 weeks, and urine protein every 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all surviving mice were sacrificed. The kidney weight and serum renal parameters were measured, and the renal morphology was observed. To search the underlying mechanism, we examined the podocyte positive marker, slit diaphragm protein expression and some involved cell signal pathway. RESULTS: Qiwei granules treatment significantly improved the metabolic parameters, alleviated the urinary protein, and protected renal function in KK-A(y) mice. In addition, the glomerular injuries and podocyte lesions were mitigated with Qiwei granules treatment. Furthermore, Qiwei granules increased expression of nephrin, CD2AP, and integrin alpha3beta1 in the podocytes of KK-A(y) mice. Qiwei granules improved the phosphoration of Akt and inhibited cleaved caspase-3 protein expression. CONCLUSION: These finding suggest that Qiwei granules protects the podocyte from the development of DN via improving slit diaphragm (SD) molecules expression and likely activating Akt signaling pathway in KK-A(y) mice.

Isoquercitrin activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal pathway in rat H4IIE cells.

BACKGROUND: Isoquercitrin, a flavonoid compound that is widely distributed in medicinal and dietary plants, possesses many biological activities, including inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effect of isoquercitrin on lipid accumulation and its molecular mechanisms in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells. METHODS: To investigate the effect of isoquercitrin on lipid accumulation, H4IIE cells were induced by FFA and the total lipid levels were detected by Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, The protein levels of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the gene expressions of transcriptional factor, lipogenic genes, and adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) were analyzed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. To further confirm the pathway of isoquercitrin-mediated hepatic lipid metabolism, H4IIE cells were treated with an AMPK inhibitor and AdipoR1 siRNA. RESULTS: Isoquercitrin significantly enhances AMPK phosphorylation, downregulates sterol regulatory element binding protein transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expressions. Pretreatment with AMPK inhibitor, significantly decreased the AMPK phosphorylation and increased FAS expression stimulated by isoquercitrin. Isoquercitrin might also upregulate the expression of AdipoR1 dose-dependently via AMPK in the presence of an AMPK inhibitor and AdipoR1 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Isoquercitrin appears to regulate AMPK activation, thereby enhancing AdipoR1 expression, suppressing SREBP-1 and FAS expressions, and resulting in the regulation of lipid accumulation. These results suggest that isoquercitrin is a novel dietary compound that can be potentially be used to prevent lipid metabolic disorder and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Guava leaf extracts promote glucose metabolism in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats by improving insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been associated with insulin-resistance; however, the effective therapies in improving insulin sensitivity are limited. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of Guava Leaf (GL) extracts on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats (SHRSP/ZF), a model of spontaneously metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Male rats at 7 weeks of age were administered with vehicle water or treated by gavage with 2 g/kg GL extracts daily for six weeks, and their body weights, water and food consumption, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, treatment with GL extracts did not modulate the amounts of water and food consumption, but significantly reduced the body weights at six weeks post treatment. Treatment with GL extracts did not alter the levels of fasting plasma glucose and insulin, but significantly reduced the levels of plasma glucose at 60 and 120 min post glucose challenge, also reduced the values of AUC and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) at 42 days post treatment. Furthermore, treatment with GL extracts promoted IRS-1, AKT, PI3Kp85 expression, then IRS-1, AMKP, and AKT308, but not AKT473, phosphorylation, accompanied by increasing the ratios of membrane to total Glut 4 expression and adiponectin receptor 1 transcription in the skeletal muscles. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated that GL extracts improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscles of rats by modulating the insulin-related signaling.

Tumor antigen-loaded AAV vaccine drives protective immunity in a melanoma animal model.

We previously described therapeutic opportunities provided by capsid- and expression cassette-optimized adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6) vectors to suppress tumor growth in both solid and metastatic mouse models by using artificial ovalbumin (OVA) immunogen. In the current study, we further elucidated the mechanism of function of a novel AAV-based vaccine loaded with the melanoma tumor-associated antigens premelanosome protein gp100, tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (TRP2). We showed that the AAV6-based vaccine creates cellular and humoral antigen-specific responses, while antigen expression at the site of vaccine injection was temporal, and the clearance of antigen coincided with T cell infiltration. Our data revealed the superior protective immune response of optimized AAV6-TRP1 compared with other self-antigens in a disease-free mouse model. We further assessed the ability of AAV6-TRP1 to protect animals from metastatic spread in the lungs and to extend animal survival by inhibiting solid tumor growth. Flow cytometry-based analysis indicated significant infiltration of CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor site, as well as changes in the polarization of intratumoral macrophages. Altogether, our data strongly support the use of optimized AAV vectors for cancer vaccine development.

Partners in crime: The Lewis Y antigen and fucosyltransferase IV in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major causative agent of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric carcinoma. H. pylori cytotoxin associated antigen A (CagA) plays a crucial role in the development of gastric cancer. Gastric cancer is associated with glycosylation alterations in glycoproteins and glycolipids on the cell surface. H. pylori cytotoxin associated antigen A (CagA) plays a significant role in the progression of gastric cancer through post-translation modification of fucosylation to develop gastric cancer. The involvement of a variety of sugar antigens in the progression and development of gastric cancer has been investigated, including type II blood group antigens. Lewis Y (LeY) is overexpressed on the tumor cell surface either as a glycoprotein or glycolipid. LeY is a difucosylated oligosaccharide, which is catalyzed by fucosyltransferases such as FUT4 (α1,3). FUT4/LeY overexpression may serve as potential correlative biomarkers for the prognosis of gastric cancer. We discuss the various aspects of H. pylori in relation to fucosyltransferases (FUT1-FUT9) and its fucosylated Lewis antigens (LeY, LeX, LeA, and LeB) and gastric cancer. In this review, we summarize the carcinogenic effect of H. pylori CagA in association with LeY and its synthesis enzyme FUT4 in the development of gastric cancer as well as discuss its importance in the prognosis and its inhibition by combination therapy of anti-LeY antibody and celecoxib through MAPK signaling pathway preventing gastric carcinogenesis.

Phosphorylated endothelial NOS Ser1177 via the PI3K/Akt pathway is depressed in the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) demonstrate impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation and often develop brain injuries. We investigated whether the regulatory mechanism for endothelial NOS (eNOS) phosphorylation and activation is altered in the cerebral cortex of SHRSP at a younger age. Western blot analysis revealed a low ratio of phosphor-eNOS (Ser1177) to total eNOS in SHRSP at 10 weeks of age. In addition, urinary nitric oxide metabolites (ie, nitrate and nitrite) were decreased compared with normal control WKY rats. Likewise, Akt phosphorylation (especially Ser473) was significantly reduced, with no changes in total Akt. Furthermore, the amount of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) was upstream of Akt was diminished, although attenuation of the PI3K/Akt pathway was not an effect of mTOR, another downstream target of Akt. Our findings indicate that abnormalities of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the cerebral cortex are involved in the impaired eNOS phosphorylation and activation in SHRSP.

L-citrulline inhibits body weight gain and hepatic fat accumulation by improving lipid metabolism in a rat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model.

BACKGROUND: Body weight gain is a social issue all over the world. When body weight increased, hepatic fat accumulation also increased and it causes fatty liver disease. Therefore, developing a new treatment method and elucidating its mechanism is necessary. L-citrulline (L-Cit) is a free amino acid found mainly in watermelon. No reports regarding its effects on the improvement of hepatic steatosis and fibrogenesis are currently available. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect and the mechanism of L-Cit on inhibition of body weight gain and hepatic fat accumulation in high-fat and high-cholesterol fed SHRSP5/Dmcr rats. METHODS: L-Cit or water (controls) was administered to six-week-old male SHRSP5/Dmcr rats by gavage for nine weeks. We recorded the level of body weight and food intake while performing the administration and sacrificed rats. After that, the blood and lipid metabolism-related organs and tissues were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: L-Cit treatment reduced body weight gain and hepatic TC and TG levels, and serum levels of AST and ALT. L-Cit enhanced AMPK, LKB1, PKA, and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) protein phosphorylation levels in the epididymal fat. L-Cit treatment improved steatosis as revealed by HE staining of liver tissues and enhanced AMPK and LKB1 phosphorylation levels. Moreover, activation of Sirt1 was higher, while the liver fatty acid synthase (FAS) level was lower. Azan staining of liver sections revealed a reduction in fibrogenesis following L-Cit treatment. Further, the liver levels of TGF-ß, Smad2/3, and α-SMA, fibrogenesis-related proteins and genes, were lower in the L-Cit-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: From the results of analysis of the epididymal fat and the liver, L-Cit inhibits body weight gain and hepatic fat accumulation by activating lipid metabolism and promoting fatty acid ß-oxidation in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats.

GSK3ß-Mediated Expression of CUG-Translated WT1 Is Critical for Tumor Progression.

The Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) gene is well known as a chameleon gene. It plays a role as a tumor suppressor in Wilms' tumor but also acts as an oncogene in other cancers. Previously, our group reported that a canonical AUG starting site for the WT1 protein (augWT1) acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas a CUG starting site for the WT1 protein (cugWT1) functions as an oncogene. In this study, we report an oncogenic role of cugWT1 in the AOM/DSS-induced colon cancer mouse model and in a urethane-induced lung cancer model in mice lacking cugWT1. Development of chemically-induced tumors was significantly depressed in cugWT1-deficient mice. Moreover, glycogen synthase kinase 3ß promoted phosphorylation of cugWT1 at S64, resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of the cugWT1 associated with the F-box-/- WD repeat-containing protein 8. Overall, our findings suggest that inhibition of cugWT1 expression provides a potential candidate target for therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that CUG-translated WT1 plays an oncogenic role in vivo, and GSK3ß-mediated phosphorylation of cugWT1 induces its ubiquitination and degradation in concert with FBXW8.

High susceptibility of obese hypertensive SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa) /IzmDmcr rats to lipid deposition in the mesenteric artery.

1. Atherosclerosis is commonly observed in obesity. Obese atherosclerosis-prone animals may be a promising tool for understanding the pathophysiology of obesity-associated atherosclerosis. However, most rat strains are resistant to atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the susceptibility of two obese hypertensive rat models, namely SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa) /IzmDmcr rats (SHRSP-fatty) and SHR.Cg-Lepr(cp) /NDmcr rats (SHR-cp), to arterial lipid deposition, an initial stage of atherosclerosis, by comparing these strains with non-obese stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. Eight-week-old male SHRSP, SHRSP-fatty and SHR-cp were fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet containing 20% palm oil, 5% cholesterol and 2% cholic acid for 5weeks. Bodyweight, blood pressure and fasting serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 12-week-old rats. Oil red O staining was used to visualize lipid deposition in the mesenteric artery. 3. The bodyweight of 12-week-old SHRSP-fatty and SHR-cp was higher than that of SHRSP (P<0.005). Systolic blood pressure in SHRSP and SHRSP-fatty was higher than in SHR-cp (P<0.005). Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were elevated in SHRSP-fatty (P<0.005) and SHR-cp (P<0.05) compared with levels in SHRSP. Lipid deposition in the mesenteric artery was significantly greater in SHRSP-fatty than in SHRSP (37.7±4.9 vs 13.1±2.8%, respectively; P<0.005), but markedly reduced in SHR-cp (1.8±0.4%; P<0.05). 4. The results of the present study indicate that SHRSP-fatty are highly susceptible to arterial lipid deposition, whereas SHR-cp are resistant. Thus, SHRSP-fatty may be a useful obese rat model in which to investigate atherosclerotic processes.

Trans-cinnamaldehyde promotes nitric oxide release via the protein kinase-B /v-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene -endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway to alleviate hypertension in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether endothelial dysfunction and hypertension are prevented by trans-cinnamaldehyde (tCA) through the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and stimulated with tCA to determine cell viability using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The effect of tCA on nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by diaminofluorescein-dyes in the absence or presence of inhibitors of eNOS, AMPK, PKA, and AKT. The effect of tCA on blood pressure was determined by the tail-cuff method in obesity spontaneous hypertension (SHR. Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr) rats. The phosphorylation of eNOS and protein expression of the insulin-signaling pathway (InsR-IRS1-PI3K-AKT) were measured by western blot. RESULTS: tCA at concentrations less than 100 ¦ÌM did not affect cell viability in cultured HUVECs. Stimulation with tCA promoted NO release in a time-dependent manner compared with the control group. tCA-treated HUVECs also significantly increased AKT-Ser473 and eNOS- Ser1177 phosphorylation. In SHR-CP rats, treatment with tCA at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks markedly reduced the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, increased the phosphorylation of AKT and eNOS, and increased urinary nitric oxidation. CONCLUSION: tCA attenuated endothelial dysfunction and reduced blood pressure in SHR-CP rats. The underlying mechanisms may involve the increase in AKT and eNOS phosphorylation and the release of eNOS-derived NO.

Cyclocarya paliurus extract activates insulin signaling via Sirtuin1 in C2C12 myotubes and decreases blood glucose level in mice with impaired insulin secretion.

Diabetes is caused by the lack of release or action of insulin. Some foods and supplements can compensate for this deficiency; thus, they can aid in the prevention or treatment of diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cyclocarya paliurus extract (CPE) on insulin signaling and its capacity to correct hyperglycemia in the absence of insulin. To investigate the hypoglycemic effects of CPE, C2C12 cells were exposed to CPE (50 and 100 µg/mL). CPE promoted 2-(N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)Amino)-2-Deoxyglucose (2NBDG) uptake into the cells via translocation of glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) to the plasma membrane. In addition, CPE enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate and activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) via sirtuin1 in C2C12 cells. Moreover, we found that oral administration of CPE (1 g/kg) to streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic mice produced a progressive decrease in plasma glucose levels at 1 h after single dosing. At that point, CPE significantly increased the expression of skeletal muscle membrane Glut4 and enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt. These results suggest that CPE exerts antidiabetic effects similar to those of insulin, and may be an oral therapeutic alternative for the management of diabetes.

Tangnaikang improves insulin resistance and ß-cell apoptosis by ameliorating metabolic inflammation in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Tangnaikang (TNK), a mixture of five herbal plant extracts, on inflammation-mediated insulin resistance and B-cell apoptosis in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHR-cp) rats. METHODS: Seven-week-old SHR-cp rats were randomly divided into a control (CON) group and a TNK (3.24 g/kg) group. Wistar-Kyoto rats at the same age were used as the normal control group. After 7 weeks of continuous intragastric administration of TNK, the glucose metabolic status and insulin sensitivity of the rats were evaluated by assessing fasting serum glucose (FBG), the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting serum insulin (FINS), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Serum tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Macrophage infiltration and apoptosis in adipose tissues were detected through F4/80 immunohistochemistry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Islet morphology and B-cell apoptosis were investigated using double immunofluorescence staining and the TUNEL assay. The expression of cytokine genes in adipose tissue, the liver, and the pancreas was detected in real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. The expression and phosphorylation levels of insulin signaling-, inflammation-, and B-cell survival-related proteins in the liver and pancreas of SHR-cp rats were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: TNK (3.24 g/kg) treatment significantly decreased body weight, FBG and FINS; improved impaired glucose tolerance; increased the ISI; reduced serum levels of TNF-a, CRP and IL-6; and increased serum adiponectin. The mRNA expression of inflammatory markers was markedly reduced in the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. F4/80- and TUNEL-positive cells in adipose tissues were decreased, as was the number of TUNEL-positive B-cells. The phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and that of insulin receptor substrate-1 at serines 307 and 1101 was significantly decreased. In the pancreas, the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light chain-enhancer of activated B cells-p65 was significantly decreased, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase and IRS-2 were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: TNK was able to improve insulin resistance and B-cell apoptosis in SHR-cp rats, which might be associated with its ability to relieve the overall and local metabolic inflammatory responses observed in SHR-cp rats.

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Ijinskaja Aqueous Extract (CPAE) Ameliorates Obesity by Improving Insulin Signaling in the Hypothalamus of a Metabolic Syndrome Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Antiobesity drugs may not be optimal for treating obesity. However novel antiobesity agents, especially those derived from natural products, may be suitable. Therefore, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Cyclocarya paliurus (CP) aqueous extract (CPAE) on obesity. METHODS: SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHR/cp) rats were used as a model of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Experimental animals were allocated into two groups-control and CPAE (0.5 g/kg)-for a 7-week treatment period. Examinations were performed, including general physiological characteristics, obesity-related biochemical parameters, and insulin-signaling pathway-related proteins in the hypothalamus. RESULTS: Treatment with CPAE reduced food intake, body weight, organ weight, fat mass, and body mass index (BMI) in SHR/cp rats. Meanwhile, CPAE also decreased the levels of fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, HOMA-IR, serum free fatty acids, serum malondialdehyde, serum superoxide dismutase, and serum total-glutathione. The levels of phosphorylation of target proteins-including InsR, IRS1, PI3Kp85, Akt, and FoXO1 as well as protein expression of POMC-were significantly upregulated in the hypothalamus, but NPY expression remarkably decreased. CONCLUSIONS: CPAE has antiobesity, antihypoglycemic, antihypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties. The mechanism responsible for the antiobesity effect of CPAE may be related to suppression of energy intake via regulation of insulin-signaling pathway in the hypothalamus.

Tang-Nai-Kang alleviates pre-diabetes and metabolic disorders and induces a gene expression switch toward fatty acid oxidation in SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr rats.

Increased energy intake and reduced physical activity can lead to obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Transcriptional modulation of metabolic networks has become a focus of current drug discovery research into the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders associated with energy surplus and obesity. Tang-Nai-Kang (TNK), a mixture of five herbal plant extracts, has been shown to improve abnormal glucose metabolism in patients with pre-diabetes. Here, we report the metabolic phenotype of SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHR/cp) rats treated with TNK. Pre-diabetic SHR/cp rats were randomly divided into control, TNK low-dose (1.67 g/kg) and TNK high-dose (3.24 g/kg) groups. After high-dose treatment for 2 weeks, the serum triglycerides and free fatty acids in SHR/cp rats were markedly reduced compared to controls. After 3 weeks of administration, the high dose of TNK significantly reduced the body weight and fat mass of SHR/cp rats without affecting food consumption. Serum fasting glucose and insulin levels in the TNK-treated groups decreased after 6 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, TNK-treated rats exhibited obvious improvements in glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. The improved glucose metabolism may be caused by the substantial reduction in serum lipids and body weight observed in SHR/cp rats starting at 3 weeks of TNK treatment. The mRNA expression of NAD+-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and genes related to fatty acid oxidation was markedly up-regulated in the muscle, liver and adipose tissue after TNK treatment. Furthermore, TNK promoted the deacetylation of two well-established SIRT1 targets, PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) and forkhead transcription factor 1 (FOXO1), and induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in different tissues. These observations suggested that TNK may be an alternative treatment for pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome by inducing a gene expression switch toward fat oxidation through the activation of SIRT1 and AMPK signaling.

Guava leaf extracts alleviate fatty liver via expression of adiponectin receptors in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of people with metabolic syndrome has continued to rise because of changing eating habits, and accompanying hepatic steatosis patients have also increased. This study examined the effect of guava leaf extract on liver fat accumulation using SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/IzmDmcr rats (SHRSP/ZF), which are a metabolic syndrome model animal. METHOD: Seven-week-old male SHRSP/ZF rats were divided into two groups, a control group and a guava leaf extract (GLE) group. We gave 2 g/kg/day GLE or water by forced administration for 6 weeks. After the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed and organ weight, hepatic lipids, serum aminotransferase and liver pathology were examined. To search for a possible mechanism, we examined the changes of key enzyme and transcriptional factors involved in hepatic fatty acid beta-oxidation. RESULTS: The triglyceride content of the liver significantly decreased in the GLE group in comparison with the control group, and decreased fat-drop formation in the liver tissue graft in the GLE group was observed. In addition, the improvement of liver organization impairments with fat accumulation restriction was suggested because blood AST and ALT in the GLE group significantly decreased. Furthermore, it was supposed that the activity of AMPK and PPARα significantly increased in the GLE group via the increase of adiponectin receptors. These were thought to be associated with the decrease of the triglyceride content in the liver because AMPK and PPARα in liver tissue control energy metabolism or lipid composition. On the other hand, insulin resistance was suggested to have improved by the fatty liver improvement in GLE. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that administration of GLE may have preventive effects of hepatic accumulation and ameliorated hepatic insulin resistance by enhancing the adiponectin beta-oxidation system. Guava leaf may be potentially useful for hepatic steatosis without the side effects of long-term treatments.

Beneficial effect of Sparassis crispa on stroke through activation of Akt/eNOS pathway in brain of SHRSP.

Sparassis crispa (S. crispa) is a mushroom used as a natural medicine that recently became cultivatable in Japan. In this study, we investigated not only the preventive effects of S. crispa against stroke and hypertension in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) but also the mechanism involved by using studies of the cerebral cortex at a young age. Six-week-old male SHRSP were divided into 2 groups, a control group and an S. crispa group administered 1.5% S. crispa in feed, and we then observed their survival. In addition, rats of the same age were treated with 1.5% S. crispa for 4 weeks and we measured body weight, blood pressure, blood flow from the tail, NO(x) production, and the levels of expression of several proteins in the cerebral cortex by western blot analysis. Our results showed that the S. crispa group had a delayed incidence of stroke and death and significantly decreased blood pressure and increased blood flow after the administration. Moreover, the quantity of urinary excretion and the nitrate/nitrite concentration in cerebral tissue were higher than those of control SHRSP rats. In the cerebral cortex, phosphor-eNOS (Ser1177) and phosphor-Akt (Ser473) in S. crispa-treated SHRSP were increased compared with those of control SHRSP rats. In conclusion, S. crispa could ameliorate cerebrovascular endothelial dysfunction by promoting recovery of Akt-dependent eNOS phosphorylation and increasing NO production in the cerebral cortex. S. crispa may be useful for preventing stroke and hypertension.