scholarly journals Ceramide Content in Liver Increases Along with Insulin Resistance in Obese Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hady Razak Hady ◽  
Agnieszka U. Błachnio-Zabielska ◽  
Łukasz Szczerbiński ◽  
Piotr Zabielski ◽  
Monika Imierska ◽  
...  

The liver plays a central role in the glucose and lipid metabolism. Studies performed on animal models have shown an important role of lipid accumulation in the induction of insulin resistance. We sought to explain whether in obese humans, the insulin resistance is associated with hepatic ceramide accumulation. The experiments were conducted on obese men and women. Each gender was divided into three groups: Normal glucose tolerance group (NGT), Impaired glucose tolerance group (IGT), and Type 2 diabetic subjects (T2D). Ceramide (Cer) content was analyzed with the use of LC/MS/MS. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), percentage body fat (FAT%), and body mass index (BMI) was also measured. Total hepatic ceramide was significantly higher in T2D females as compared to NGT females (p < 0.05), whereas in males, total ceramide was significantly higher in IGT and T2D as compared to NGT (p < 0.05). In both, men and women, the highest increase in T2D subjects, was observed in C16:0-Cer, C18:0:-Cer, C22:0-Cer, and C24:0-Cer (p < 0.05) as compared to NGT group. Interestingly, glucose (at 0′ and at 120′ in OGTT) and HbA1c positively correlated with the ceramide species that most increased in T2D patients (C16:0-Cer, C18:0-Cer, C22:0-Cer, and C24:0-Cer). In men glucose and HbA1c significantly correlated with only C22:0-Cer. This is one of the few studies comparing hepatic ceramide content in severely obese patients. We found that, ceramide content increased in diabetic patients, both in men and women, and the content of ceramide correlated with glycemic parameters. These data indicate ceramide contribution to the induction of hepatic insulin resistance.

2012 ◽  
Vol 167 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Iglesias ◽  
Rafael Selgas ◽  
Sara Romero ◽  
Juan J Díez

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a 181 amino acid circulating protein, is a member of the FGF superfamily, with relevant metabolic actions. It acts through the interaction with specific FGF receptors and a cofactor called β-Klotho, whose expression is predominantly detected in metabolically active organs. FGF21 stimulates glucose uptake in adipocytes via the induction of glucose transporter-1. This action is additive and independent of insulin. β-Cell function and survival are preserved, and glucagon secretion is reduced by this protein, thus decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Lipid profile has been shown to be improved by FGF21 in several animal models. FGF21 increases energy expenditure in rodents and induces weight loss in diabetic nonhuman primates. It also exerts favorable effects on hepatic steatosis and reduces tissue lipid content in rodents. Adaptive metabolic responses to fasting, including stimulation of ketogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, seem to be partially mediated by FGF21. In humans, serum FGF21 concentrations have been found elevated in insulin-resistant states, such as impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. FGF21 levels are correlated with hepatic insulin resistance index, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and blood glucose after an oral glucose tolerance test. A relationship between FGF21 levels and long-term diabetic complications, such as nephropathy and carotid atheromatosis, has been reported. FGF21 levels decreased in diabetic patients after starting therapy with insulin or oral agents. Increased FGF21 serum levels have also been found to be associated with obesity. In children, it is correlated with BMI and leptin levels, whereas in adults, FGF21 levels are mainly related to several components of the metabolic syndrome. Serum FGF21 levels have been found to be elevated in patients with ischemic heart disease. In patients with renal disease, FGF21 levels exhibited a progressive increase as renal function deteriorates. Circulating FGF21 levels seem to be related to insulin resistance and inflammation in dialysis patients. In summary, FGF21 is a recently identified hormone with antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and thermogenic properties. Direct or indirect potentiation of its effects might be a potential therapeutic target in insulin-resistant states.


2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (44) ◽  
pp. 1747-1753
Author(s):  
Györgyi Kovács ◽  
Barbara Buday ◽  
Attila Fék ◽  
Botond Literáti-Nagy ◽  
József Pauer ◽  
...  

Introduction: Today the prevalence of type 2 diabetes reached an epidemic level. It is known that type 2 diabetes could only be prevented before the manifestation, during the “prediabetic” state, urging the development of diagnostic tests to recognize the group at risk in time. Aim: The authors explored metabolic differences between healthy, normal glucose tolerant, normal insulin resistant females having first degree relatives with and without type 2 diabetes. Method: Healthy, normal insulin sensitive females without (n = 26) and with (n = 18) type 2 diabetic relatives were investigated. Results: Healthy females with first degree diabetic relatives had lower low density lipoproteins and higher high density lipoproteins as well as higher glucose and insulin levels at the 120 min of oral glucose test as compared to those without first degree diabetic relatives. Conclusions: These results suggest that the appearance of insulin resistance is preceded by hepatic insulin resistance and impaired lipid metabolism in the symptom-free prediabetic period of genetically suceptible females. Orv. Hetil., 154 (44), 1747–1753.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boyoung Kim ◽  
Yoo Yeon Kim ◽  
Phuong Thi-Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Hajin Nam ◽  
Jun Gyo Suh

Abstract Considering that sex differences in glucose metabolism are observed in mice, researchers unconsciously use male mice to reduce variations by an estrogen cycle in female mice. In this study, we investigated the sex differences in glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes inbred mice (C57BL/6J). The C57BL/6J male and female mice were injected with or without STZ (40 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. Levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profiles, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance were measured at 3 and 6 weeks after STZ treatment. The FBG level in the STZ-induced male (M-STZ) group was significantly higher than that in the STZ-induced female (F-STZ) group during the entire experimental period. Furthermore, HbA1C and glucose tolerance levels in the M-STZ group were significantly higher than those in the F-STZ group at 3 and 6 weeks after STZ treatment. The glucagon/insulin ratio in the M-STZ group was significantly higher than that in the F-STZ group. Values of the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, an indicator of β-cell function and insulin resistance, significantly increased in both the M-STZ and F-STZ groups at 3 weeks after STZ treatment. However, insulin resistance was observed in the M-STZ group, but not in the F-STZ group, at 6 weeks after STZ treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that glucose metabolism in the M-STZ group was worse than that in the F-STZ group, indicating that estrogen may have an important role in glucose metabolism by STZ treatment.


Author(s):  
Sriram Gubbi ◽  
Ranganath Muniyappa ◽  
Susmeeta T Sharma ◽  
Shivraj Grewal ◽  
Raven McGlotten ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Increased tissue cortisol availability has been implicated in abnormal glucose and fat metabolism in patients with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Our objective was to evaluate whether blockade of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with mifepristone ameliorates insulin resistance (IR) in overweight/obese subjects with glucose intolerance. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study in overweight/obese individuals (n = 16, 44% female) with prediabetes or mild T2DM but not clinical hypercortisolism. Mifepristone (50 mg every 6 h) or placebo was administered for 9 days, followed by crossover to the other treatment arm after a washout period of 6 to 8weeks. At baseline and following each treatment, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) were performed. Insulin sensitivity was measured using FSIVGTT [primary outcome: insulin sensitivity index (SI)] and OGTT [Matsuda index (MI) and oral glucose insulin sensitivity index (OGIS)]. Hepatic and adipose insulin resistance were assessed using hepatic insulin resistance index (HIRI), and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity index (Adipo-SI) and adipo-IR, derived from the FSIVGTT. Results Mifepristone administration did not alter whole-body glucose disposal indices of insulin sensitivity (SI, MI, and OGIS). GR blockade significantly improved Adipo-SI (61.7 ± 32.9 vs 42.8 ± 23.9; P = 0.002) and reduced adipo-IR (49.9 ± 45.9 vs 65.5 ± 43.8; P = 0.004), and HIRI (50.2 ± 38.7 vs 70.0 ± 44.3; P = 0.08). Mifepristone increased insulin clearance but did not affect insulin secretion or β-cell glucose sensitivity. Conclusion Short-term mifepristone administration improves adipose and hepatic insulin sensitivity among obese individuals with hyperglycemia without hypercortisolism.


Metabolomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Müllner ◽  
Hanna E. Röhnisch ◽  
Claudia von Brömssen ◽  
Ali A. Moazzami

Abstract Introduction Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance (IR) are strongly associated with obesity and are forerunners of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about metabolic alterations separately associated with obesity, hyperinsulinaemia/IR and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in adolescents. Objectives To identify metabolic alterations associated with obesity, hyperinsulinaemia/IR and hyperinsulinaemia/IR combined with IGT in obese adolescents. Methods 81 adolescents were stratified into four groups based on body mass index (lean vs. obese), insulin responses (normal insulin (NI) vs. high insulin (HI)) and glucose responses (normal glucose tolerance (NGT) vs. IGT) after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The groups comprised: (1) healthy lean with NI and NGT, (2) obese with NI and NGT, (3) obese with HI and NGT, and (4) obese with HI and IGT. Targeted nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics analysis was performed on fasting and seven post-OGTT plasma samples, followed by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Results Two groups of metabolites were identified: (1) Metabolites associated with insulin response level: adolescents with HI (groups 3–4) had higher concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and tyrosine, and lower concentrations of serine, glycine, myo-inositol and dimethylsulfone, than adolescents with NI (groups 1–2). (2) Metabolites associated with obesity status: obese adolescents (groups 2–4) had higher concentrations of acetylcarnitine, alanine, pyruvate and glutamate, and lower concentrations of acetate, than lean adolescents (group 1). Conclusions Obesity is associated with shifts in fat and energy metabolism. Hyperinsulinaemia/IR in obese adolescents is also associated with increased branched-chain and aromatic amino acids.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii439-iii439
Author(s):  
Alexey Kalinin ◽  
Natalia Strebkova ◽  
Olga Zheludkova

Abstract We examined 63 patients (40 males/23 females) after complex treatment of medulloblastoma. Patients had a median age (range) of 11.3 (5.5 ÷ 17.9) years. The median time after the end of treatment was 3.7 (1.5 ÷ 11.6) years. Endocrine disorders were detected with the following frequency: growth hormone deficiency - 98.41% (62 of 63 patients), thyroid hormone deficiency – 69.8% (44/63), adrenal hormone deficiency - 17.4% (11/63). Three cases (4.7%) of premature sexual development were also detected. Lipids levels, beta-cell function and insulin resistance (IR) during 2-h oral glucose tolerance test were evaluated. A mono frequent bioelectrical impedanciometer was used to measure body composition. Overweight (SDS BMI&gt; 1) was observed only in 16 patients (3 girls and 13 boys), obesity (SDS BMI&gt; 2) in 1 boy. Dyslipidemia was found in 34 patients (54%). All patients underwent oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin resistance (ISI Matsuda &lt;2.5 and/or HOMA-IR&gt; 3.2) was detected in 7 patients (11/1%), impaired glucose tolerance (120 min glucose ≥7.8 mmol / l) was observed in 2 patients with IR and in 2 patients without IR. At the same time, IR and impaired glucose tolerance were encountered in only 5 children with overweight and no one with obesity. All patients with impaired glucose tolerance had normal values of fasting glucose (4.3 ÷ 5.04 mmol / l) and HbA1c (4.8 ÷ 5.8%). A bioelectrical impedanciometer was used to measure body composition in 49 cases, the percentage of adipose tissue was increased in 14 patients (28%) with normal BMI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiko Hattori ◽  
Kazuomi Nomoto ◽  
Tomohiko Suzuki ◽  
Seishu Hayashi

Abstract Background Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is a serine exopeptidase able to inactivate various oligopeptides, and also a hepatokine. Hepatocyte-specific overexpression of DPP4 is associated with hepatic insulin resistance and liver steatosis. Method We examined whether weekly DPP4 inhibitor omarigliptin (OMG) can improve liver function as well as levels of inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Further, we investigated the effects of OMG in a diabetic patient with biopsy-confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Results In NAFLD patients, OMG significantly decreased levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), while no significant change was seen in hemoglobin A1c or body mass index. In the NASH patient, liver function improved markedly, and levels of the hepatic fibrosis marker FIB-4 decreased in parallel with HOMA-IR and hsCRP. Slight but clear improvements in intrahepatic fat deposition and fibrosis appeared to be seen on diagnostic ultrasonography. Conclusion Weekly administration of the DPP4 inhibitor OMG in ameliorating hepatic insulin resistance may cause beneficial effects in liver with NAFLD/NASH.


2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greisa Vila ◽  
Michaela Riedl ◽  
Christian Anderwald ◽  
Michael Resl ◽  
Ammon Handisurya ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive cytokine linked to obesity comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and cancer. GDF-15 also has adipokine properties and recently emerged as a prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular events. METHODS We evaluated the relationship of plasma GDF-15 concentrations with parameters of obesity, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolism in a cohort of 118 morbidly obese patients [mean (SD) age 37.2 (12) years, 89 females, 29 males] and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy lean individuals. All study participants underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test; 28 patients were studied before and 1 year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. RESULTS Obese individuals displayed increased plasma GDF-15 concentrations (P &lt; 0.001), with highest concentrations observed in patients with type 2 diabetes. GDF-15 was positively correlated with age, waist-to-height ratio, mean arterial blood pressure, triglycerides, creatinine, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c, and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index and negatively correlated with oral glucose insulin sensitivity. Age, homeostatic model assessment index, oral glucose insulin sensitivity, and creatinine were independent predictors of GDF-15 concentrations. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass led to a significant reduction in weight, leptin, insulin, and insulin resistance, but further increased GDF-15 concentrations (P &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The associations between circulating GDF-15 concentrations and age, insulin resistance, and creatinine might account for the additional cardiovascular predictive information of GDF-15 compared to traditional risk factors. Nevertheless, GDF-15 changes following bariatric surgery suggest an indirect relationship between GDF-15 and insulin resistance. The clinical utility of GDF-15 as a biomarker might be limited until the pathways directly controlling GDF-15 concentrations are better understood.


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