Rafael Ludemann Camargo

Taurine supplementation improves liver glucose control in normal protein and malnourished mice fed a high-fat diet

SCOPE Poor nutrition during the perinatal period is associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Taurine (TAU) regulates β-cell function and glucose homeo-stasis. Here, we assessed the effects of TAU supplementation upon adiposity and glucose control in malnourished mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS AND RESULTS Weaned male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control (14% protein - C) or a protein-restricted (6% protein - R) diet for 6 weeks. Afterwards, mice received or not an HFD for 8 weeks (CH and RH). Half of the HFDmice were supplemented with 5% TAU after weaning (CHT and RHT). Protein restriction led to typical malnutrition features. HFD increased body weight, adiposity, and led to hyperleptinemia, hyperphagia, glucose intolerance, and higher liver glucose output in RH and CH groups. Fasted R mice showed higher plasma adiponectin levels and increased phosphorylation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) in the liver. These parameters were reduced in RH mice and increased p-AMPK persisted in RHT. TAU prevented obesity and improved glucose tolerance only in CHT, but liver glucose control was ameliorated in both supplemented groups. Better CHT liver glucose control was linked to increased Akt (thymoma viral proto-oncogene/protein kinase B) phosphorylation. CONCLUSION Malnourished mice fed an HFD developed obesity, glucose intolerance, and increased liver glucose output. TAU preserved only normal liver glucose control in RHT mice, an effect associated with increased liver p-AMPK content.

Whey protein hydrolysate increases translocation of GLUT-4 to the plasma membrane independent of insulin in wistar rats.

Whey protein (WP) and whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) have the recognized capacity to increase glycogen stores. The objective of this study was to verify if consuming WP and WPH could also increase the concentration of the glucose transporters GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 in the plasma membrane (PM) of the muscle cells of sedentary and exercised animals. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 8 per group), were treated and fed with experimental diets for 9 days as follows: a) control casein (CAS); b) WP; c) WPH; d) CAS exercised; e) WP exercised; and f) WPH exercised. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed, muscle GLUT-1 and GLUT-4, p85, Akt and phosphorylated Akt were analyzed by western blotting, and the glycogen, blood amino acids, insulin levels and biochemical health indicators were analyzed using standard methods. Consumption of WPH significantly increased the concentrations of GLUT-4 in the PM and glycogen, whereas the GLUT-1 and insulin levels and the health indicators showed no alterations. The physical exercise associated with consumption of WPH had favorable effects on glucose transport into muscle. These results should encourage new studies dealing with the potential of both WP and WPH for the treatment or prevention of type II diabetes, a disease in which there is reduced translocation of GLUT-4 to the plasma membrane.

Effects of taurine supplementation upon food intake and central insulin signaling in malnourished mice fed on a high-fat diet.

Feeding behavior is a major determinant of body composition, adiposity, and glucose homeostasis. Both obesity and malnutrition are risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and are associated with altered food intake. Here we assessed the effects of taurine (TAU) supplementation upon adiposity, food intake, and central insulin signaling in malnourished mice fed on a high-fat diet (HFD). Weaned male C57BL/6 mice were fed a control (14% protein-C) or a protein-restricted (6% protein-R) diet. After 6 weeks, both groups received or not HFD for 8 weeks (CH and RH). Half of the HFD groups were supplemented with 5% TAU (CHT and RHT). Both HFD groups were overweight and showed increased perigonadal and retroperitoneal fat pads. TAU supplementation attenuated obesity in CHT but not in RHT mice. HFD induced hypercholesterolemia and glucose intolerance, although only CH group presented fasting hyperglycemia. TAU supplementation also improved glucose homeostasis only in CHT mice. Western blot analysis showed a reduction of 55% in CH hypothalamic content of phosphorylated IRS-1 (pIRS-1) at basal condition compared with C. TAU treatment increased 35% Akt phosphorylation levels in CHT without modification in RHT hypothalamus. However, TAU supplementation did not alter hypothalamic pIRS-1 amount. CH and RH mice presented increased calorie intake that was normalized in CHT but not in RHT. In conclusion, mice fed on an HFD developed obesity, hypercholesterolemia, glucose intolerance, and increased calorie intake. TAU promoted increased hypothalamic insulin action only in CH mice which was linked to prevention of overfeeding, obesity, and glucose intolerance. Protein-restriction promoted metabolic damages that were not prevented by TAU supplementation.

Swim training restores glucagon-like peptide-1 insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from monosodium glutamate-obese rats

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) is an important modulator of insulin secretion by endocrine pancreas. In the present study, we investigated the effect of swim training on GLP‐1 insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from monosodium glutamate (MSG)‐obese rats.

Reduced insulin clearance and lower insulin-degrading enzyme expression in the liver might contribute to the thrifty phenotype of protein-restricted mice

Nutrient restriction during the early stages of life usually leads to alterations in glucose homeostasis, mainly insulin secretion and sensitivity, increasing the risk of metabolic disorders in adulthood. Despite growing evidence regarding the importance of insulin clearance during glucose homeostasis in health and disease, no information exists about this process in malnourished animals. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of a nutrient-restricted diet on insulin clearance using a model in which 30-d-old C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a protein-restricted diet for 14 weeks. After this period, we evaluated many metabolic variables and extracted pancreatic islet, liver, gastrocnemius muscle (GCK) and white adipose tissue samples from the control (normal-protein diet) and restricted (low-protein diet, LP) mice. Insulin concentrations were determined using RIA and protein expression and phosphorylation by Western blot analysis. The LP mice exhibited lower body weight, glycaemia, and insulinaemia, increased glucose tolerance and altered insulin dynamics after the glucose challenge. The improved glucose tolerance could partially be explained by an increase in insulin sensitivity through the phosphorylation of the insulin receptor/protein kinase B and AMP-activated protein kinase/acetyl-CoA carboxylase in the liver, whereas the changes in insulin dynamics could be attributed to reduced insulin secretion coupled with reduced insulin clearance and lower insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) expression in the liver and GCK. In summary, protein-restricted mice not only produce and secrete less insulin, but also remove and degrade less insulin. This phenomenon has the double benefit of sparing insulin while prolonging and potentiating its effects, probably due to the lower expression of IDE in the liver, possibly with long-term consequences.

Lacking of estradiol reduces insulin exocytosis from pancreatic β-cells and increases hepatic insulin degradation

Low levels of plasma estrogens are associated with weight-gain, android fat distribution, and a high prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities such as glucose intolerance and type II diabetes. The mechanisms underlying the association between low levels of estrogens and impaired glucose homeostasis are not completely understood. To begin to test this, we used three-month-old female C57BL/6J mice that either underwent ovariectomy (OVX) or received a sham surgery (Sham), and we characterized glucose homeostasis. In a subsequent series of experiments, OVX mice received estradiol treatment (OVX+E2) or vehicle (OVX) for 6 consecutive days. As has been previously reported, lack of ovarian hormones resulted in dysregulated glucose homeostasis. To begin to explore the mechanisms by which this occurs, we characterized the impact of estrogens on insulin secretion and degradation in these mice. Insulin secretion and plasma insulin levels were lower in OVX mice. OVX mice had lower levels of pancreatic Syntaxin 1-A (Synt-1A) protein, which is involved in insulin extrusion from the pancreas. In the liver, OVX mice had higher levels of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and this was associated with higher insulin clearance. Estradiol treatment improved glucose intolerance in OVX mice and restored insulin secretion, as well as normalized the protein content of pancreatic Synt-1A. The addition of estrogens to OVX mice reduced IDE protein to that of Sham mice. Our data suggest loss of ovarian estradiol following OVX led to impaired glucose homeostasis due to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in the exocytosis of insulin, and upregulation of hepatic IDE protein content resulting in lower insulinemia, which was normalized by estradiol replacement.

Low-protein diet disrupts the crosstalk between the PKA and PKC signaling pathways in isolated pancreatic islets

Protein restriction in the early stages of life can result in several changes in pancreatic function. These alterations include documented reductions in insulin secretion and in cytoplasmic calcium concentration [Ca(2+)]i. However, the mechanisms underlying these changes have not been completely elucidated and may result, in part, from alterations in signaling pathways that potentiate insulin secretion in the presence of glucose. Our findings suggest that protein restriction disrupts the insulin secretory synergism between Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) in isolated islets. Western blot analysis demonstrated reduced levels of both phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein (phospho-CREB) at Ser-133 and substrates phosphorylated by PKCs (Phospho-(Ser) PKC substrate), suggesting that PKA and PKC activity was impaired in islets from rats fed a low-protein diet (LP). cAMP levels and global Ca(2+) entry were also reduced in LP islets. In summary, our findings showed that protein restriction altered the crosstalk between PKA and PKC signaling pathways, resulting in the alteration of secretory synergism in isolated islets.

Long-Term Taurine Supplementation Leads to Enhanced Hepatic Steatosis, Renal Dysfunction and Hyperglycemia in Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet

There is growing interest in the nutraceutical applications of taurine (TAU) for the prevention and treatment of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The lack of long-term clinical and animal studies available makes it difficult to address the safety of supraphysiological TAU exposure over prolonged periods. Here, we assessed growth parameters, renal function and glucose homeostasis in mice fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) and supplemented with 5 % TAU for 12 months. Body weight and fat depots were increased by the HFD and unaltered by TAU supplementation. TAU enhanced diet-induced hepatomegaly and liver steatosis. TAU-supplemented mice developed renal dysfunction as judged by increased urinary proteins and albumin, kidney weight and accumulation of lipid vacuoles in renal tubule. Long-term TAU enhanced the deleterious effects of the HFD upon glucose control, as indicated by fasting hyperglycemia, insulin hypersecretion, lower hepatic Akt activation and peripheral insulin resistance. In conclusion, long-term TAU supplementation enhanced the HFD-induced ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver and kidney and disrupted body glucose control and renal function. TAU-based interventions for obese and diabetic subjects should be carefully planned to avoid extended treatments over prolonged periods.

Taurine supplementation leads to a disruption in energy homeostasis in menopausal obese mice.

Menopausal women have increased risk of developing metabolic disorders, such as obesity and insulin resistance. Taurine (TAU) supplementation improves metabolic profiles both in human and animal models of obesity. Here, we assessed growth parameters, whole-body energy expenditure, food intake and hypothalamic insulin-sensitivity in postmenopausal mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) supplemented with TAU.

miR-124a expression contributes to the monophasic pattern of insulin secretion in islets from pregnant rats submitted to a low-protein diet

PurposeTo evaluate the role of miR-124a in the regulation of genes involved in insulin exocytosis and its effects on the kinetics of insulin secretion in pancreatic islets from pregnant rats submitted to a low-protein diet.MethodsAdult control non-pregnant (CNP) and control pregnant (CP) rats were fed a normal protein diet (17%), whereas low-protein non-pregnant (LPNP) and low-protein pregnant (LPP) rats were fed a low-protein diet (6%) from days 1 to 15 of pregnancy. Kinetics of the glucose-induced insulin release and measurement of [Ca2+]i in pancreatic islets were assessed by standard protocols. The miR-124a expression and gene transcriptions from pancreatic islets were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsIn islets from LPP rats, the first phase of insulin release was abrogated. The AUC [Ca2+]i from the LPP group was lower compared with the other groups. miR-124a expression was reduced by a low-protein diet. SNAP-25 mRNA, protein expression, and Rab3A protein content were lower in the LPP rats than in CP rats. Syntaxin 1A and Kir6.2 mRNA levels were decreased in islets from low-protein rats compared with control rats, whereas their protein content was reduced in islets from pregnant rats.ConclusionsLoss of biphasic insulin secretion in islets from LPP rats appears to have resulted from reduced [Ca2+]i due, at least in part, to Kir6.2 underexpression and from the changes in exocytotic elements that are influenced either directly or indirectly by miR-124a.