Thierry Sulpice

EUK-8 a Synthetic Catalytic Scavenger of Reactive Oxygen Species Protects Isolated Iron-Overloaded Rat Heart from Functional and Structural Damage Induced by Ischemia/Reperfusion

SummaryThe effects of EUK-8, a synthetic, catalytic scavenger of reactive oxygen species, on isolated iron-overloaded rat hearts submitted to ischemia-reperfusion were studied. In the absence of EUK-8, functional parameters (systolic and diastolic pressures, oxygen consumption as estimated by the product heart rate times left ventricular diastolic pressure) were severely impaired 1 minute and 15 minutes after reperfusion following a 15 minute ischemic episode. Dimethylthiourea (10 mM), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, had a minimally protective effect. In contrast, EUK-8 at a concentration of 50 μM in the perfusion medium maintained these parameters at close to their preischemia values. Electron microscopic analysis of heart tissues after 15 minutes ischemia followed by 15 minutes reperfusion showed extensive damage to mitochondria and sarcomeres in untreated hearts, while the extent of damage was significantly lower in EUK-8-treated hearts. The functional and structural protection afforded by EUK-8 were significantly better than those induced by dimethylthiourea. These data suggest that EUK-8 may be therapeutically useful in preventing heart damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion, for example, during thrombolytic treatment of myocardial infarction.

Pharmacological inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 improves insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant rat models.

Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a central enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids. SCD1 is an emerging target in obesity and insulin resistance due to the improved metabolic profile obtained when the enzyme is genetically inactivated. Here, we have investigated if the pharmacological inhibition of SCD1 could elicit the same profile. We have identified a small molecule, GSK993 and characterized it as a potent and orally available SCD1 inhibitor. In Zucker(fa/fa) rats, GSK993 exerted a marked reduction in hepatic lipids as well as a significant improvement of glucose tolerance. Furthermore, in a diet-induced insulin resistant rat model, GSK993 induced a very strong reduction in Triton-induced hepatic Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Triglyceride production. In addition, following a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in GSK993-treated animals, we observed an improvement in the whole body insulin sensitivity as reflected by an increase in the glucose infusion rate. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the pharmacological inhibition of SCD1 translates into improved lipid and glucose metabolic profiles and raises the interest of SCD1 inhibitors as potential new drugs for the treatment of insulin resistance.

Liver X receptor activation promotes macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport in a dyslipidemic hamster model

Liver X receptor (LXR) activation promotes reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in rodents but has major side effects (increased triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol levels) in species expressing cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). In the face of dyslipidemia, it remains unclear whether LXR activation stimulates RCT in CETP species. We therefore used a hamster model made dyslipidemic with a 0.3% cholesterol diet and treated with vehicle or LXR agonist GW3965 (30 mg/kg bid) over 10 days. To investigate RCT, radiolabeled 3H-cholesterol macrophages or 3H-cholesteryl oleate-HDL were then injected to measure plasma and feces radioactivity over 72 or 48 h, respectively. The cholesterol-enriched diet increased VLDL-triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in all lipoprotein fractions and strongly increased liver lipids. Overall, GW3965 failed to improve both dyslipidemia and liver steatosis. However, after 3H-cholesterol labeled macrophage injection, GW3965 treatment significantly increased the 3H-tracer appearance by 30% in plasma over 72 h, while fecal 3H-cholesterol excretion increased by 156% (P < 0.001). After 3H-cholesteryl oleate-HDL injection, GW3965 increased HDL-derived cholesterol fecal excretion by 64% (P < 0.01 vs. vehicle), while plasma fractional catabolic rate remained unchanged. Despite no beneficial effect on dyslipidemia, LXR activation promotes macrophage-to-feces RCT in dyslipidemic hamsters. These results emphasize the use of species with a more human-like lipoprotein metabolism for drug profiling.

Empagliflozin, via Switching Metabolism Toward Lipid Utilization, Moderately Increases LDL Cholesterol Levels Through Reduced LDL Catabolism.

In clinical trials, a small increase in LDL cholesterol has been reported with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. The mechanisms by which the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin increases LDL cholesterol levels were investigated in hamsters with diet-induced dyslipidemia. Compared with vehicle, empagliflozin 30 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks significantly reduced fasting blood glucose by 18%, with significant increase in fasting plasma LDL cholesterol, free fatty acids, and total ketone bodies by 25, 49, and 116%, respectively. In fasting conditions, glycogen hepatic levels were further reduced by 84% with empagliflozin, while 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity and total cholesterol hepatic levels were 31 and 10% higher, respectively (both P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). A significant 20% reduction in hepatic LDL receptor protein expression was also observed with empagliflozin. Importantly, none of these parameters were changed by empagliflozin in fed conditions. Empagliflozin significantly reduced the catabolism of 3H-cholesteryl oleate–labeled LDL injected intravenously by 20%, indicating that empagliflozin raises LDL levels through reduced catabolism. Unexpectedly, empagliflozin also reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption in vivo, which led to a significant increase in LDL- and macrophage-derived cholesterol fecal excretion (both P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). These data suggest that empagliflozin, by switching energy metabolism from carbohydrate to lipid utilization, moderately increases ketone production and LDL cholesterol levels. Interestingly, empagliflozin also reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption, which in turn promotes LDL- and macrophage-derived cholesterol fecal excretion.

Upregulating Reverse Cholesterol Transport With Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibition Requires Combination With the LDL-Lowering Drug Berberine in Dyslipidemic Hamsters

Objective—This study aimed to investigate whether cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibition promotes in vivo reverse cholesterol transport in dyslipidemic hamsters. Methods and Results—In vivo reverse cholesterol transport was measured after an intravenous injection of 3H-cholesteryl-oleate–labeled/oxidized low density lipoprotein particles (3H-oxLDL), which are rapidly cleared from plasma by liver-resident macrophages for further 3H-tracer egress in plasma, high density lipoprotein (HDL), liver, and feces. A first set of hamsters made dyslipidemic with a high-fat and high-fructose diet was treated with vehicle or torcetrapib 30 mg/kg (TOR) over 2 weeks. Compared with vehicle, TOR increased apolipoprotein E–rich HDL levels and significantly increased 3H-tracer appearance in HDL by 30% over 72 hours after 3H-oxLDL injection. However, TOR did not change 3H-tracer recovery in liver and feces, suggesting that uptake and excretion of cholesterol deriving from apolipoprotein E-rich HDL is not stimulated. As apoE is a potent ligand for the LDL receptor, we next evaluated the effects of TOR in combination with the LDL-lowering drug berberine, which upregulates LDL receptor expression in dyslipidemic hamsters. Compared with TOR alone, treatment with TOR+berberine 150 mg/kg resulted in lower apolipoprotein E–rich HDL levels. After 3H-oxLDL injection, TOR+berberine significantly increased 3H-tracer appearance in fecal cholesterol by 109%. Conclusion—Our data suggest that cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibition alone does not stimulate reverse cholesterol transport in dyslipidemic hamsters and that additional effects mediated by the LDL-lowering drug berberine are required to upregulate this process.

High-Fat and Fructose Intake Induces Insulin Resistance, Dyslipidemia, and Liver Steatosis and Alters In Vivo Macrophage-to-Feces Reverse Cholesterol Transport in Hamsters

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) promotes the egress of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver for biliary and fecal excretion. Although not demonstrated in vivo, RCT is thought to be impaired in patients with metabolic syndrome, in which liver steatosis prevalence is relatively high. Golden Syrian hamsters were fed a nonpurified (CON) diet and normal drinking water or a high-fat (HF) diet containing 27% fat, 0.5% cholesterol, and 0.25% deoxycholate as well as 10% fructose in drinking water for 4 wk. Compared to CON, the HF diet induced insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, with significantly higher plasma non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations and cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity. The HF diet induced severe liver steatosis, with significantly higher cholesterol and TG levels compared to CON. In vivo RCT was assessed by i.p. injecting ³H-cholesterol labeled macrophages. Compared to CON, HF hamsters had significantly greater ³H-tracer recoveries in plasma, but not HDL. After 72 h, ³H-tracer recovery in HF hamsters was 318% higher in liver and 75% lower in bile (P < 0.01), indicating that the HF diet impaired hepatic cholesterol fluxes. However, macrophage-derived cholesterol fecal excretion was 45% higher in HF hamsters than in CON hamsters. This effect was not related to intestinal cholesterol absorption, which was 89% higher in HF hamsters (P < 0.05), suggesting a possible upregulation of transintestinal cholesterol excretion. Our data indicate a significant increase in macrophage-derived cholesterol fecal excretion in a hamster model of metabolic syndrome, which may not compensate for the diet-induced dyslipidemia and liver steatosis.

CETP Inhibitor Torcetrapib Promotes Reverse Cholesterol Transport in Obese Insulin-Resistant CETP-ApoB100 Transgenic Mice

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are associated with low HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐c) levels, which would impair reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). A promising therapeutic strategy is to raise HDL with cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors, but their effects on RCT remains to be demonstrated in vivo. We therefore evaluated the effects of CETP inhibitor torcetrapib in CETP‐apolipoprotein (apo)B100 mice made obese and insulin resistant with a 60% high‐fat diet. High‐fat diet over 3 months increased body weight and homeostasis model of insulin resistance index by 30% and 846%, respectively (p < 0.01 for both vs. chow‐fed mice). Total cholesterol (TC) increased by 46% and HDL‐c/TC ratio decreased by 28% (both p < 0.05). Compared to vehicle, high‐fat‐fed mice treated with torcetrapib (30 mg/kg/day, 3 weeks) showed increased HDL‐c levels and HDL‐c/TC ratio by 41% and 37% (both p < 0.05). Torcetrapib increased in vitro macrophage cholesterol efflux by 22% and in vivo RCT through a 118% increase in 3H‐bile acids fecal excretion after 3H‐cholesterol labeled macrophage injection (p < 0.01 for both). Fecal total bile acids mass was also increased by 158% (p < 0.001). In conclusion, CETP inhibition by torcetrapib improves RCT in CETP‐apoB100 mice. These results emphasize the potential of CETP inhibition to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 414–420

Diet-induced dyslipidemia impairs reverse cholesterol transport in hamsters

Eur J Clin Invest 2011; 41 (9): 921–928

Anacetrapib and dalcetrapib differentially alters HDL metabolism and macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport at similar levels of CETP inhibition in hamsters

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors dalcetrapib and anacetrapib differentially alter LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels, which might be related to the potency of each drug to inhibit CETP activity. We evaluated the effects of both drugs at similar levels of CETP inhibition on macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in hamsters. In normolipidemic hamsters, both anacetrapib 30 mg/kg QD and dalcetrapib 200 mg/kg BID inhibited CETP activity by ~60%. After injection of 3H-cholesteryl oleate labeled HDL, anacetrapib and dalcetrapib reduced HDL-cholesteryl esters fractional catabolic rate (FCR) by 30% and 26% (both P<0.001 vs. vehicle) respectively, but only dalcetrapib increased HDL-derived 3H-tracer fecal excretion by 30% (P<0.05 vs. vehicle). After 3H-cholesterol labeled macrophage intraperitoneal injection, anacetrapib stimulated 3H-tracer appearance in HDL, but both drugs did not promote macrophage-derived 3H-tracer fecal excretion. In dyslipidemic hamsters, both anacetrapib 1 mg/kg QD and dalcetrapib 200 mg/kg BID inhibited CETP activity by ~65% and reduced HDL-cholesteryl ester FCR by 36% (both P<0.001 vs. vehicle), but only anacetrapib increased HDL-derived 3H-tracer fecal excretion significantly by 39%. After 3H-cholesterol labeled macrophage injection, only anacetrapib 1 mg/kg QD stimulated macrophage-derived 3H-tracer appearance in HDL. These effects remained weaker than those observed with anacetrapib 60 mg/kg QD, which induced a maximal inhibition of CETP and stimulation of macrophage-derived 3H-tracer fecal excretion. In contrast, dalcetrapib 200 mg/kg BID reduced macrophage-derived 3H-tracer fecal excretion by 23% (P<0.05 vs. vehicle). In conclusion, anacetrapib and dalcetrapib differentially alter HDL metabolism and RCT in hamsters. A stronger inhibition of CETP may be required to promote macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport in dyslipidemic hamsters.

Raising HDL with CETP inhibitor torcetrapib improves glucose homeostasis in dyslipidemic and insulin resistant hamsters

We investigated whether raising HDL-cholesterol levels with cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition improves glucose homeostasis in dyslipidemic and insulin resistant hamsters. Compared with vehicle, torcetrapib 30 mg/kg/day (TOR) administered for 10 days significantly increased by ∼40% both HDL-cholesterol levels and 3H-tracer appearance in HDL after 3H-cholesterol labeled macrophages i.p. injection. TOR significantly reduced fasting plasma triglycerides, glycerol and free fatty acids levels by 65%, 31% and 23%, respectively. TOR also reduced blood glucose levels and plasma insulin by 20% and 49% respectively, which led to a 60% reduction in HOMA-IR index (all p<0.01). After 3H-2-deoxyglucose and insulin injection, TOR significantly increased glucose uptake in oxidative soleus muscle, liver and heart by 26, 33 and 70%, respectively. Raising HDL levels with the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib improves glucose homeostasis in dyslipidemic and insulin resistant hamsters. Whether similar effect would be observed with other CETP inhibitors should be investigated.