The diabetes gene Zfp69 modulates hepatic insulin sensitivity in mice
DIABETOLOGIA
Authors: Chung, Bomee; Stadion, Mandy; Schulz, Nadja; Jain, Deepak; Scherneck, Stephan; Joost, Hans-Georg; Schuermann, Annette
Abstract
Aims/hypothesis Zfp69 was previously identified by positional cloning as a candidate gene for obesity-associated diabetes. C57BL/6J and New Zealand obese (NZO) mice carry a loss-of-function mutation due to the integration of a retrotransposon. On the NZO background, the Zfp69 locus caused severe hyperglycaemia and loss of beta cells. To provide direct evidence for a causal role of Zfp69, we investigated the effects of its overexpression on both a lean [B6-Tg(Zfp69)] and an obese [NZO/B6-Tg(Zfp69)] background. Methods Zfp69 transgenic mice were generated by integrating the cDNA into the ROSA locus of the C57BL/6 genome and characterised. Results B6-Tg(Zfp69) mice were normoglycaemic, developed hyperinsulinaemia, and exhibited increased expression of G6pc and Pck1 and slightly reduced phospho-Akt levels in the liver. During OGTTs, glucose clearance was normal but insulin levels were significantly higher in the B6-Tg(Zfp69) than in control mice. The liver fat content and plasma triacylglycerol levels were significantly increased in B6-Tg(Zfp69) and NZO/B6-Tg(Zfp69) mice on a high-fat diet compared with controls. Liver transcriptome analysis of B6-Tg(Zfp69) mice revealed a downregulation of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Specifically, expression of Nampt, Lpin2, Map2k6, Gys2, Bnip3, Fitm2, Slc2a2, Ppargc1 alpha and Insr was significantly decreased in the liver of B6-Tg(Zfp69) mice compared with wild-type animals. However, overexpression of Zfp69 did not induce overt diabetes with hyperglycaemia and beta cell loss. Conclusions/interpretation Zfp69 mediates hyperlipidaemia, liver fat accumulation and mild insulin resistance. However, it does not induce type 2 diabetes, suggesting that the diabetogenic effect of the Zfp69 locus requires synergy with other as yet unidentified genes.
Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass Ameliorates Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Activating Insulin Signaling and Improving Glucose Utilization in the Brain
OBESITY SURGERY
Authors: Li, Na; Yan, Qing-Tao; Jing, Qi; Pan, Rui-Yan; Wang, Huai-Jie; Jiang, Bin; Li, Xian-Jun; Wang, Yi; Dong, Jun-Hong; Wang, Xue-Jian; Zhang, Mei-Jia; Meng, Qing-Guo; Li, Xiang-Zhen; Liu, Zhi-Jun; Gao, Zhi-Qin; Qu, Mei-Hua
Abstract
Background Duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) can dramatically improve type 2 diabetes independent of weight loss and food restriction. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that brain insulin signaling plays an important role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. This study explores whether the antidiabetic effect of DJB is involved in brain insulin signaling activation and brain glucose utilization. Methods A diabetic rat model was established by high-fat and high-glucose diet. DJB or sham surgery was performed in diabetic rats. 18F-FDG PET scanning was used to detect glucose uptake in different organs, particularly in the brain. The levels of glucose transporters, glucose utilization-related proteins (HK1 and PFK2), insulin, and insulin signaling pathway-related proteins (InsR, IRS1/2, PI3K, and p-Akt) in the brain tissues were evaluated and analyzed. Results The results showed that DJB significantly improved basal glycemic parameters and reversed the decreasing glucose uptake in the brains of type 2 diabetic rats. DJB significantly increased not only the expression levels of brain insulin, IRS1/2, PI3K, and p-Akt but also the levels of the glucose utilization enzymes HK1 and PFK2 in the brain. Conclusion These results indicate that enhanced brain insulin signaling transduction and brain glucose utilization play important roles in the antidiabetic effect of DJB.