Wasana Pratchayasakul

PPARγ Agonist Improves Neuronal Insulin Receptor Function in Hippocampus and Brain Mitochondria Function in Rats with Insulin Resistance Induced by Long Term High-Fat Diets

We previously demonstrated that a high-fat diet (HFD) consumption can cause not only peripheral insulin resistance, but also neuronal insulin resistance. Moreover, the consumption of an HFD has been shown to cause mitochondrial dysfunction in both the skeletal muscle and liver. Rosiglitazone, a peroxizome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand, is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies suggested that rosiglitazone can improve learning and memory in both human and animal models. However, the effects of rosiglitazone on neuronal insulin resistance and brain mitochondria after the HFD consumption have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that rosiglitazone improves neuronal insulin resistance caused by a HFD via attenuating the dysfunction of neuronal insulin receptors and brain mitochondria. Rosiglitazone (5 mg/kg · d) was given for 14 d to rats that were fed with either a HFD or normal diet for 12 wk. After the 14(th) week, all animals were euthanized, and their brains were removed and examined for insulin-induced long-term depression, neuronal insulin signaling, and brain mitochondrial function. We found that rosiglitazone significantly improved peripheral insulin resistance and insulin-induced long-term depression and increased neuronal Akt/PKB-ser phosphorylation in response to insulin. Furthermore, rosiglitazone prevented brain mitochondrial conformational changes and attenuated brain mitochondrial swelling, brain mitochondrial membrane potential changes, and brain mitochondrial ROS production. Our data suggest that neuronal insulin resistance and the impairment of brain mitochondria caused by a 12-wk HFD consumption can be reversed by rosiglitazone.

Effects of high-fat diet on insulin receptor function in rat hippocampus and the level of neuronal corticosterone.

AIM Chronic consumption of a high-fat (HF) diet contributes to peripheral insulin resistance and elevated plasma corticosterone. However, the effect of HF consumption on the neurofunctional insulin receptors and neuronal corticosterone level is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that HF consumption can lead to peripheral insulin resistance, elevated neuronal corticosterone, and impaired neuronal responses to insulin. MAIN METHODS Male Wistar rats were fed with normal diet or HF diet for 4, 8 or 12weeks. At the end of each dietary period, plasma was collected for investigating peripheral insulin resistance parameters and corticosterone. Brains were then rapidly removed for studying the function of neuronal insulin receptors (IRs) by extracellular recording in CA1 hippocampus, neuronal IR signaling by immunoblot technique and neuronal corticosterone. KEY FINDINGS Elevated plasma corticosterone level was initially seen in 4-week HF-fed rats. Peripheral insulin resistance developed at 8-week HF-fed rats. However, the elevated neuronal corticosterone level was found at 12-week HF consumption. The neuronal IR response demonstrated by insulin-mediated long-term depression in CA1 hippocampus was diminished in 12-week HF-fed rats. The phosphorylation levels of neuronal IR, IR substrate 1 and Akt/PKB were decreased in 12-week HF-fed rats with no change in these proteins. There was a correlation among peripheral insulin resistance, neuronal stress (elevated neuronal corticosterone), and neuronal insulin resistance in HF group. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that HF consumption can lead to the elevation of corticosterone and peripheral insulin resistance, which could contribute to neuronal insulin resistance and neuronal stress.

DPP4-inhibitor improves neuronal insulin receptor function, Brain mitochondrial function and cognitive function in rats with insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet consumption

High‐fat diet (HFD) consumption has been demonstrated to cause peripheral and neuronal insulin resistance, and brain mitochondrial dysfunction in rats. Although the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, vildagliptin, is known to improve peripheral insulin sensitivity, its effects on neuronal insulin resistance and brain mitochondrial dysfunction caused by a HFD are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that vildagliptin prevents neuronal insulin resistance, brain mitochondrial dysfunction, learning and memory deficit caused by HFD. Male rats were divided into two groups to receive either a HFD or normal diet (ND) for 12 weeks, after which rats in each group were fed with either vildagliptin (3 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 21 days. The cognitive function was tested by the Morris Water Maze prior to brain removal for studying neuronal insulin receptor (IR) and brain mitochondrial function. In HFD rats, neuronal insulin resistance and brain mitochondrial dysfunction were demonstrated, with impaired learning and memory. Vildagliptin prevented neuronal insulin resistance by restoring insulin‐induced long‐term depression and neuronal IR phosphorylation, IRS‐1 phosphorylation and Akt/PKB‐ser phosphorylation. It also improved brain mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive function. Vildagliptin effectively restored neuronal IR function, increased glucagon‐like‐peptide 1 levels and prevented brain mitochondrial dysfunction, thus attenuating the impaired cognitive function caused by HFD.

Effects of metformin on learning and memory behaviors and brain mitochondrial functions in high fat diet induced insulin resistant rats

AIM Metformin is a first line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our previous study reported that high-fat diet (HFD) consumption caused not only peripheral and neuronal insulin resistance, but also induced brain mitochondrial dysfunction as well as learning impairment. However, the effects of metformin on learning behavior and brain mitochondrial functions in HFD-induced insulin resistant rats have never been investigated. MAIN METHODS Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into two groups to receive either a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12weeks. Then, rats in each group were divided into two treatment groups to receive either vehicle or metformin (15mg/kg BW twice daily) for 21days. All rats were tested for cognitive behaviors using the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and blood samples were collected for the determination of glucose, insulin, and malondialdehyde. At the end of the study, animals were euthanized and the brain was removed for studying brain mitochondrial function and brain oxidative stress. KEY FINDINGS We found that in the HFD group, metformin significantly attenuated the insulin resistant condition by improving metabolic parameters, decreasing peripheral and brain oxidative stress levels, and improving learning behavior, compared to the vehicle-treated group. Furthermore, metformin completely prevented brain mitochondrial dysfunction caused by long-term HFD consumption. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that metformin effectively improves peripheral insulin sensitivity, prevents brain mitochondrial dysfunction, and completely restores learning behavior, which were all impaired by long-term HFD consumption.

Obesity accelerates cognitive decline by aggravating mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance and synaptic dysfunction under estrogen-deprived conditions.

Chronic consumption of a high-fat diet (HF) causes peripheral insulin resistance, brain insulin resistance, brain mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Estrogen deprivation has also been found to impair cognition. However, the combined effect of both conditions on the brain is unclear. We hypothesized that estrogen deprivation causes brain insulin resistance, brain mitochondrial dysfunction, hippocampal synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment, and that consumption of a HF accelerates these impairments in an estrogen-deprived condition. Seventy-two female rats were divided into sham (S) and ovariectomized (O) groups. Rats in each group were further divided into two subgroups to be fed with either a normal diet (ND) or HF for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. At the end of each period, the Morris water maze test was carried out, after which the blood and brain were collected for metabolic and brain function analysis. Obesity, peripheral insulin resistance, increased brain oxidative stress and hippocampal synaptic dysfunction were observed at the eighth week in the NDO, HFS and HFO rats. However, these impairments were worse in the HFO rats. Interestingly, brain insulin resistance, brain mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment developed earlier (week eight) in the HFO rats, whereas these conditions were observed later at week 12 in the NDO and HFS rats. Either estrogen deprivation or HF appears to cause peripheral insulin resistance, increased brain oxidative stress, hippocampal synaptic dysfunction, brain mitochondrial dysfunction and brain insulin resistance, which together can lead to cognitive impairment. A HF accelerates and aggravates these deleterious effects under estrogen-deprived conditions.

FGF21 improves cognition by restored synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine density, brain mitochondrial function and cell apoptosis in obese-insulin resistant male rats.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine hormone which exerts beneficial effects on metabolic regulation in obese and diabetic models. However, the effect of FGF21 on cognition in obese-insulin resistant rats has not been investigated. We hypothesized that FGF21 prevented cognitive decline in obese-insulin resistant rats by improving hippocampal synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine density, brain mitochondrial function and brain FGF21 signaling as well as decreasing brain cell apoptosis. Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, and received either a normal diet (ND) (n=6) or a high fat diet (HFD) (n=12) for 12weeks. At week 13, the HFD-fed rats were subdivided into two subgroups (n=6/subgroup) to receive either vehicle or recombinant human FGF21 (0.1mg/kg/day) for four weeks. ND-fed rats were given vehicle for four weeks. At the end of the treatment, cognitive function, metabolic parameters, pro-inflammatory markers, brain mitochondrial function, cell apoptosis, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine density and brain FGF21 signaling were determined. The results showed that vehicle-treated HFD-fed rats developed obese-insulin resistance and cognitive decline with impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity, decreased dendritic spine density, brain mitochondrial dysfunction and increased brain cell apoptosis. Impaired brain FGF 21 signaling was found in these obese-insulin resistant rats. FGF21-treated obese-insulin resistant rats had improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, increased hippocampal synaptic plasticity, increased dendritic spine density, restored brain mitochondrial function, attenuated brain cells apoptosis and increased brain FGF21 signaling, leading to a prevention of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that FGF21 treatment exerts neuroprotection in obese-insulin resistant rats.

DPP-4 Inhibitor and PPARγ Agonist Restore the Loss of CA1 Dendritic Spines in Obese Insulin-resistant Rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) impaired brain insulin receptor function, caused cognitive decline as well as reduced dendritic spine density. Previous studies suggested that dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) agonist exerted the neuroprotective effects in obese insulin-resistant rats. However, the effects of these drugs on dendritic spines in obese insulin-resistant rats have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we determined the effects of DPP-4 inhibitor and PPARγ agonist on dendritic spines density of obese insulin-resistant rats caused by HFD. METHODS Male Wistar Rats were divided into two groups. Animals in each group were fed with normal diet (ND) or HFD for 12 weeks. After then, rats in each group were subdivided into three subgroups to receive either vehicle or vildagliptin (3 mg/kg/day) or pioglitazone (10 mg/kg/day) for 3-4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the metabolic parameters and density of dendritic spines in CA1 hippocampus were determined. RESULTS We found that HFD-fed rats caused peripheral insulin resistance as well as the reduction of the density of dendritic spines in CA1 hippocampus. Treatment with both DPP-4 inhibitor and PPARγ agonist in HFD-fed rats improved insulin sensitivity as well as increased the number of dendritic spines in CA1 hippocampus. Moreover, both drugs have equally improved this deterioration. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that DPP-4 inhibitor and PPARγ agonist restored the reduction of dendritic spines caused by HFD, suggesting the beneficial roles of DPP-4 inhibitors and PPARγ agonists in neurodegenerative disorders.

SGLT2-inhibitor and DPP-4 inhibitor improve brain function via attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, inflammation, and apoptosis in HFD-induced obese rats

ABSTRACT Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor (vildagliptin) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and neuroprotection in obese‐insulin resistance. Recent studies demonstrated the neuroprotection of the sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin) in diabetes. However, the comparative effects of both drugs and a combination of two drugs on metabolic dysfunction and brain dysfunction impaired by the obese‐insulin resistance have never been investigated. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, and received either a normal‐diet (ND, n = 8) or a high‐fat diet (HFD, n = 32) for 16 weeks. At week 13, the HFD‐fed rats were divided into four subgroups (n = 8/subgroup) to receive either a vehicle, vildagliptin (3 mg/kg/day) dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day) or combined drugs for four weeks. ND rats were given a vehicle for four weeks. Metabolic parameters and brain function were investigated. The results demonstrated that HFD rats developed obese‐insulin resistance and cognitive decline. Dapagliflozin had greater efficacy on improved peripheral insulin sensitivity and reduced weight gain than vildagliptin. Single therapy resulted in equally improved brain mitochondrial function, insulin signaling, apoptosis and prevented cognitive decline. However, only dapagliflozin improved hippocampal synaptic plasticity. A combination of the drugs had greater efficacy in improving brain insulin sensitivity and reducing brain oxidative stress than the single drug therapy. These findings suggested that dapagliflozin and vildagliptin equally prevented cognitive decline in the obese‐insulin resistance, possibly through some similar mechanisms. Dapagliflozin had greater efficacy than vildagliptin for preserving synaptic plasticity, thus combined drugs could be the best therapeutic approach for neuroprotection in the obese‐insulin resistance. HighlightsHFD‐induced obesity increased brain dysfunction and cognitive decline.Dapagliflozin had greater efficacy than vildagliptin for preserving brain function.The combined drugs had the greatest efficacy improving brain function.

Effects of estrogen in preventing neuronal insulin resistance in hippocampus of obese rats are different between genders

AIM The effects of estrogen on the prevention of impaired insulin-induced long-term depression in the hippocampus and neuronal insulin signaling caused by high-fat diet (HF) were studied in male and female rats. MAIN METHODS Both male and female rats were fed with a normal diet (ND; 19.7% energy from fat) or a high-fat diet (HF; 59.3% energy from fat) for 12 weeks. Then, rats were divided into four subgroups: ND, ND+E, HF and HF+E. The subgroups with+E were given 50 μg/kg estrogen subcutaneously once a day for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, blood and brain samples were collected to determine the peripheral insulin resistance and neuronal insulin resistance, respectively. KEY FINDINGS Both male and female rats fed with HF developed peripheral insulin resistance as indicated by increased body weight, visceral fat, plasma insulin and HOMA index. Estrogen administration decreased those parameters, indicating improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, in both male and female HF rats. HF diet consumption also caused impaired insulin-induced long-term depression in hippocampus and impaired neuronal insulin receptor function and signaling, indicating neuronal insulin resistance, in both male and female rats. Estrogen treatment could attenuate these neuronal impairments only in HF female rats. SIGNIFICANCE The activation of the estrogen pathway could preserve insulin sensitivity in the peripheral tissue in both male and female rats. In neuronal tissue, however, the benefit of estrogen could be found only in female rats.

Estrogen restores brain insulin sensitivity in ovariectomized non-obese rats, but not in ovariectomized obese rats

OBJECTIVE We previously demonstrated that obesity caused the reduction of peripheral and brain insulin sensitivity and that estrogen therapy improved these defects. However, the beneficial effect of estrogen on brain insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress in either ovariectomy alone or ovariectomy with obesity models has not been determined. We hypothesized that ovariectomy alone or ovariectomy with obesity reduces brain insulin sensitivity and increases brain oxidative stress, which are reversed by estrogen treatment. MATERIALS/METHODS Thirty female rats were assigned as either sham-operated or ovariectomized. After the surgery, each group was fed either a normal diet or high-fat diet for 12 weeks. At week 13, rats in each group received either the vehicle or estradiol for 30 days. At week 16, blood and brain were collected for determining the peripheral and brain insulin sensitivity as well as brain oxidative stress. RESULTS We found that ovariectomized rats and high-fat diet fed rats incurred obesity, reduced peripheral and brain insulin sensitivity, and increased brain oxidative stress. Estrogen ameliorated peripheral insulin sensitivity in these rats. However, the beneficial effect of estrogen on brain insulin sensitivity and brain oxidative stress was observed only in ovariectomized normal diet-fed rats, but not in ovariectomized high fat diet-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that reduced brain insulin sensitivity and increased brain oxidative stress occurred after either ovariectomy or obesity. However, the reduced brain insulin sensitivity and the increased brain oxidative stress in ovariectomy with obesity could not be ameliorated by estrogen treatment.