FNDC5 is a hormone secreted by myocytes that could reduce obesity and insulin resistance, However, the exact effect of FNDC5 on glucose and lipid metabolism remain poorly identified; More importantly, the signaling pathways that mediate the metabolic effects of FNDC5 is completely unknown. Here we showed that FNDC5 stimulates β-oxidation and glucose uptake in C2C12 cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion in vitro (n=8, all P<0.01). In vivo study revealed that FNDC5 also enhanced glucose tolerance in diabetic mice and increased the glucose uptake evidenced by increased [18F] FDG accumulation in hearts by PET scan (n=6, all P<0.05). FNDC5 decreased the expression of gluconeogenesis related molecules (PEPCK and G6Pase) and increased the phosphorylation of ACC, a key modulator of fatty-acid oxidation, both in hepatocytes and C2C12 cells (n=3, all P<0.05). In parallel with its stimulation of β-oxidation and glucose uptake, FNDC5 increased the phosphorylation of AMPK both in hepatocytes and C2C12 cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, the β-oxidation and glucose uptake, the expression of PEPCK and G6Pase and the phosphorylation of ACC induced by FNDC5 were attenuated by AMPK inhibitor in hepatocytes and C2C12 cells (P<0.05). Most importantly, the FNDC5 induced glucose uptake and phosphorylation of ACC were attenuated in AMPK-DN mice (n=6, all P<0.05). The glucose-lowering effect of FNDC5 in diabetic mice was also attenuated by AMPK inhibitor. Our data presents the direct evidence that FNDC5 stimulates glucose utilization and fatty-acid oxidation by AMPK signaling pathway, suggesting that FNDC5 be a novel pharmacological approach for type 2 diabetes.
Short communication: High insulin concentrations inhibit fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression in calf hepatocytes cultured in vitro