In murine and human brown adipose tissue (BAT), mitochondria are powerful generators of heat. Emerging evidence has suggested that the actions of mitochondria extend beyond this conventional biochemical role. In mouse BAT and cultured brown adipocytes, impaired mitochondrial respiratory capacity is accompanied by attenuated expression of Ucp1, a key thermogenic gene, implying a mitochondrial retrograde signaling. However, few have investigated this association in the context of mitochondria-nucleus communication. Using mice with adipose-specific ablation of LRPPRC, a regulator of respiratory capacity, we show that respiration-dependent retrograde signaling from mitochondria to nucleus contributes to transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming of BAT. Impaired respiratory capacity triggers down-regulation of thermogenic and oxidative genes, promoting a storage phenotype in BAT. This retrograde regulation functions by interfering with promoter-specific recruitment of PPARg. In addition, cytosolic calcium may mediate the retrograde signal from mitochondria to nucleus. These data are consistent with a model whereby BAT connects its respiratory capacity to thermogenic gene expression, which in turn contributes to determining its metabolic commitment. Additionally, we find that augmented respiratory capacity activates the thermogenic gene program in inguinal (subcutaneous) white adipose tissue (IWAT) from adipose-specific LRPPRC transgenic mice. When fed a high-fat diet at thermoneutrality, these mice exhibit metabolic improvements as shown by reduced fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, there is increased recruitment of brown-like adipocytes in IWAT and thus energy expenditure is significantly increased, providing a potential explanation for protection from obesity. These data suggest that augmented respiratory capacity promotes ‘browning’ of IWAT, which has beneficial effects on obesity and diabetes.

Overweight and obesity are associated with Type 2 Diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer, but all fat is not equal as storing excess lipid in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SWAT) is more metabolically favorable than in visceral fat. Here, we uncover a critical role for mTORC2 in setting SWAT lipid handling capacity. We find that subcutaneous white preadipocytes differentiating without the essential mTORC2 subunit Rictorexpress mature adipocyte markers but develop a striking lipid storage defect. In vivo,this results in smaller adipocytes, reduced tissue size, lipid re-distribution to visceral and brown fat, and sex-distinct effects on systemic metabolic fitness. Mechanistically, mTORC2 promotes transcriptional upregulation of select lipid metabolism genes controlled by PPARgand ChREBP. These include genes that control lipid uptake, synthesis, and degradation pathways as well as Akt2, the gene encoding its substrate and insulin effector. Finally, we reveal a potential novel mTORC2 target, ACSS2, which might control intracellular acetyl-CoA availability and regulate metabolic gene expression by altering histone modification in white adipocytes. Exploring this pathway may uncover strategies to promote safe lipid storage and improve insulin sensitivity.

The research of new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases has seen in the last 15 years the introduction of a new participant: pericardial adipose tissue (PAT). This tissue is able to modulate cardiac function and its volume was sometimes linked to risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) isolated from PAT are considered as the best suitable for new regenerative strategies aiming at healing ischemic myocardium. Although the interests in understanding the functions and the formation of pericardial adipose tissue are high, the current knowledge on this tissue is still scarce. In this work, the starting point was the consideration that nucleotide receptors are established regulators of many biological functions, including the differentiation of adult mesenchymal stem cells, immunity and inflammatory process. The P2Y4 receptor has been recently recognized as a negative regulator of cardiac fat formation and ASCs differentiation. The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the involvement of the nucleotide receptor P2Y2 in the formation of pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) and its ASCs differentiation. We also investigated the possible contribution of this receptor to the functions of recently discovered fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs). Our study analyzed the PAT of mice deficient for P2Y2 at basal conditions and in a model of myocardial infarction. P2Y2-null mice showed a lower mass of PAT compared to WT, which was correlated with decreased adipogenic differentiation and maturation potential of pericardial ASCs in vitro. PAT of basal P2Y2-deficient mice displayed a reduced density of FALCs due to a reduced number of B cells. RNA-sequencing experiments identified many P2Y2 target genes in PAT linked to immunomodulation. We identified a polarization of FALCs macrophages towards anti-inflammatory M2c subtype in P2Y2-null mice. We correlated it with a decreased number of follicular helper T cells, known to contribute to B cell expansion in germinal centers. These data could be correlated with increased apoptosis of B lymphocytes. The data obtained using the mouse infarct model confirmed an expected enlargement of pericardial FALCs in ischemic conditions. P2Y2-null mice were characterized by a reduced expansion of B cells and myeloid cells migration in PAT. These results suggested a participation of P2Y2 receptor in regulating the post-MI inflammatory response by modulating the leukocytes populations in the pericardial adipose tissue’s lymphoid clusters. The effect of P2Y2 on PAT post-ischemic inflammatory state could contribute to the P2Y2-mediated cardioprotective effect of UTP described in previous literature. Our study defines P2Y2 nucleotide receptor as a regulator of the formation of pericardial fat and its inflammatory status in ischemic conditions. P2Y2 receptor could represent an interesting therapeutic target for the regulation of PAT functions before and after MI. In general, a better comprehension of PAT and its consideration in the post-ischemic regeneration process could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating cardiovascular diseases and the adjustment of existing therapies. / Durant les 15 dernières années, un nouvel arrivant a fait son apparition dans la recherche de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques dans le domaine cardiovasculaire: le tissu adipeux cardiaque. Ce tissu est capable de moduler les fonctions cardiaques et son volume a pu être associé parfois à un risque de maladie cardiovasculaire. De plus, les cellules souches dérivées du tissu adipeux (ASCs) cardiaque sont considérées comme les mieux appropriées pour des stratégies thérapeutiques visant la réparation du myocarde ischémié. Bien que la compréhension de la fonction et de la formation du tissu adipeux cardiaque présente un intérêt majeur, la connaissance actuelle de ce tissu particulier est encore assez limitée. Pour le présent travail, le point de départ a été l’observation que les récepteurs nucléotidiques sont des régulateurs établis de nombreuses fonctions biologiques, incluant la différentiation des cellules souches mésenchymateuses et plus généralement la régulation de la réponse immune et inflammatoire. Le récepteur P2Y4 a été récemment reconnu comme un régulateur négatif de la formation du tissu adipeux cardiaque et de la différentiation des ASCs. Le but de cette thèse a été l’étude de l’implication du récepteur nucléotidiques P2Y2 dans la formation du tissu adipeux péricardique (TAP) et la différentiation des ASCs. Nous avons également investigué la contribution possible de ce récepteur dans la fonction des structures leucocytaires associées au tissu adipeux appelées FALCS pour fat-associated lymphoid clusters.Nous avons étudié le TAP de souris déficientes pour le récepteur P2Y2 à l’état de base et dans un modèle d’infarctus du myocarde. Les souris P2Y2 knock-out (KO) présentent une masse réduite du TAP corrélée avec le fait que l’absence du P2Y2 diminue la différentiation adipogénique et le potentiel de maturation des ASCs péricardiques in vitro. Le PAT des souris P2Y2 KO présentent une diminution de la densité de FALCs à l’état de base, principalement due à un nombre réduit de lymphocytes B, potentiellement corrélé à une apoptose accrue observée dans ces cellules. Nos expériences de RNA-sequencing ont identifié de nombreux gènes cibles du P2Y2 dans le PAT impliqués dans l’immunomodulation. Nous avons identifié une polarisation des macrophages de type M2c dans les FALCs de souris P2Y2 KO. Nous l’avons corrélée avec une diminution des lymphocytes T helper folliculaires connus pour contribuer à l’expansion des lymphocytes B dans les centres germinaux. Les données obtenues dans le modèle d’infarctus chez la souris ont confirmé une augmentation des FALCs péricardiques dans les conditions d’ischémie cardiaque. Les souris P2Y2 KO sont caractérisées par une expansion réduite des lymphocytes B et des cellules myéloïdes dans le TAP. Ces résultats suggèrent une participation du récepteur P2Y2 dans la régulation de la réponse inflammatoire post-infarctus par la modulation des populations leucocytaires dans les clusters lymphocytaires du tissu adipeux cardiaque. L’effet du P2Y2 sur l’état inflammatoire post-ischémique pourrait contribuer à l’effet cardioprotecteur de l’UTP médié par le P2Y2 et précédemment décrit dans la littérature.Notre étude définit le récepteur nucléotidique P2Y2 comme un régulateur de la formation du tissu adipeux péricardique et de son niveau inflammatoire dans des conditions ischémiques. Le récepteur P2Y2 pourrait représenter une cible thérapeutique intéressante pour la régulation des fonctions du PAT avant et après infarctus du myocarde. Plus généralement, une meilleure compréhension du tissu adipeux cardiaque et de son implication dans le processus de régénération cardiaque pourrait mener au développement de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques dans le traitement de maladies cardiovasculaires et à l’ajustement de thérapies déjà existantes. / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Médecine) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Introduction: Obesity and its related comorbidities such as insulin dysregulation (ID), laminitis and hperlipaemia are increasing health issues in equines. In human medicine obesity is linked with a systemic inflammation deriving from adipose tissue (AT). Especially abdominal AT produces inflammatory cytokines and is therefore a risk factor for metabolic diseases in humans. However, in equines systemic inflammation linked to obesity is still controversial. Changes in lipid metabolism with increasing obesity are not well documented in equines. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the following hypotheses: (1) ID develops with the long-term intake of a hypercaloric diet and alters lipid metabolism. (2) In the development of obesity macrophages are infiltrating AT and amounts of inflammatory cytokines in AT increase. These alterations are more pronounced in the subcutaneous (sc) AT depots compared to abdominal AT depots. Additionally, the amount of markers of lipid transport are influenced by BW gain in AT. (3) Ponies are more prone to produce inflammatory markers in AT, which may explain the higher predisposition for metabolic alterations. Materials and Methods: 19 healthy and normal weight geldings were included in this study (age at the start of the study: 8 ± 3 years): 10 Shetland ponies and 9 Warmblood horses. Over a period of two years equines received 200% of their maintenance energy requirements of metabolizable energy. 60% of the energy was provided by hay and 40% by a compound feed. Monthly energy requirements were calculated according to the increasing BW and rations were adjusted accordingly. During hypercaloric diet body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS) were assessed weekly. Before and after one and two year(s) of hypercaloric diet a combined glucose insulin test (CGIT) was performed and blood and AT samples (abdominal AT: retroperitoneal, mesocolon descendens; sc AT: nuchal crest, lateral to the tail head) were taken. AT samples were taken under general anesthesia 3-5 days after CGIT and 15 hours after a low-dose endotoxin infusion. Glucose was analysed in natrium fluoride plasma. Serum amyloid A (SAA), insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and triglycerides were measured in serum. Levels of inflammatory parameters (CD68, IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα) and markers of lipid metabolism (FABP4, LPL) were analyzed in AT samples by RT-qPCR. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Rights Protection of the Leipzig District Government (No. TVV 32/15). Data were analysed for normal distribution by Shapiro-Wilks test. Statistical tests were applicated accordingly. Results: Ponies and horses showed a significant increase in BW (24%), BCS and CNS with hypercaloric diet. Two years of hypercaloric diet induced ID in 3 out of 19 equines (two horses, one pony). Two of these equines additionally developed laminitis (one horse, one pony) during the second year of hypercaloric diet. Basal serum NEFA concentrations increased in ponies by 290% but not in horses with BW gain. Laminitic equines showed an altered development of serum NEFA levels during CGIT with a delayed rise at the end of CGIT. The BW gain had no impact on SAA concentration of ponies and horses. CD68 mRNA levels increased in several AT depots of both breed types with BW gain. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα showed similar or decreased mRNA levels after BW gain compared to basal measurements in all AT. CD68 mRNA level were higher in abdominal AT compared to sc AT at the end of the study. However, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα mRNA levels were higher in sc AT. LPL and FABP4 mRNA levels were higher or similar after BW gain. Higher levels of LPL and FABP4 mRNA were detected in sc AT depots compared to abdominal AT. Breed related differences were seen but were not consistent. Conclusions: A BW gain of 24% over two years does not necessarily lead to ID in horses or ponies. However, laminitis might be correlated with changes of NEFA curve during a CGIT. Equine obesity is linked with macrophage infiltration of AT that is more pronounced in abdominal AT depots in equines. However, infiltrating macrophages are not linked with a systemic inflammation.:1 Introduction 1 2 Literature review 3 2.1 Obesity in equines 3 2.1.1 Objective measurements of obesity 3 2.1.1.1 Body condition score 3 2.1.1.2 Cresty neck score 4 2.1.1.3 Morphometric measurements 4 2.2 Insulin dysregulation 4 2.2.1 Laboratory diagnosis 5 2.2.1.1 Basal measurements 6 2.2.1.2 Dynamic testing 7 2.2.1.2.1 Oral tests..................................................................................7 2.2.1.2.2 Intravenous tests......................................................................7 2.3 Obesity related inflammation 9 2.3.1 Interleukin-1β 9 2.3.2 Interleukin-6 10 2.3.3 Tumor necrosis factor α 11 2.4 White adipose tissue 13 2.4.1 Structure and Cell types 13 2.4.2 Adipokines 13 2.4.3 Changes with obesity 13 2.4.4 Depot differences 14 2.5 Lipid metabolism 14 2.5.1 Non-esterified fatty acids 15 2.5.2 Triglycerides 16 2.5.3 Lipoprotein lipase 16 2.5.4 Fatty acid binding protein 4 16 3 Published articles 17 3.1 Effects of body weight gain on insulin and lipid metabolism in equines 17 3.2 The influence of equine body weight gain on inflammatory cytokine expressions of adipose tissue in response to endotoxin challenge 27 4 Discussion 45 4.1 Insulin and glucose metabolism 45 4.2 Lipid metabolism 45 4.2.1 Serum NEFA and TG concentrations 45 4.2.2 Adipose tissue mRNA levels of lipid metabolism marker 46 4.3 Adipose tissue inflammation parameters 47 4.3.1 Effect of body weight gain 47 4.3.2 Adipose tissue depot effect 48 4.3.3 Breed effect in obese equines 48 4.4 Laminitic equines 49 4.5 Conclusion 50 5 Zusammenfassung 51 6 Summary 53 7 References 55 8 Appendix 65 8.1 Presentations as part of this thesis 65 8.2 Co-authorship 66 8.3 Original data 67 / Einleitung: Zunehmend leiden Pferde an Adipositas und deren Folgeerkrankungen wie Insulindysregulation (ID), Hufrehe, aber auch Hyperlipidämien. Bei adipösen Menschen wird ein chronischer Entzündungszustand beobachtet, wobei Entzündungsparameter hauptsächlich im Fettgewebe (FG) produziert werden. Durch die erhöhte Produktion von Entzündungs-parametern im abdominalen FG ist besonders dieses Fettdepot mit einem erhöhten Risiko für metabolische Krankheiten verbunden. Der Zusammenhang von Adipositas und einem systemischen Entzündungszustand wird bei Pferden aktuell noch kontrovers diskutiert. Studien zu den Veränderungen des Lipidmetabolismus im Verlaufe einer zunehmenden Gewichtszunahme liegen bislang bei Equiden nicht vor. Ziel der Studie: Die Studie diente dazu folgende Hypothesen zu untersuchen: (1) ID entwickelt sich mit der Langzeitfütterung einer hyperkalorischen Ration und beeinflusst den Lipidmetabolismus. (2) Durch die Gewichtszunahme kommt es zu einer Infiltration von Makrophagen und zu einem Anstieg von Entzündungsparametern im FG. Marker für den Lipidtransport im FG werden durch eine Körpergewichtszunahme beeinflusst. (3) Ponys produzieren mehr Entzündungs-parameter im FG und zeigen einen veränderten Lipidmetabolismus im Vergleich zu Pferden. Material und Methoden:19 gesunde, normalgewichtige Wallache (Alter zu Beginn der Studie: 8 ± 3 Jahre) wurden für diese Studie genutzt: 10 Shetlandponys und 9 Warmblutpferde. Diese Tiere erhielten über 2 Jahre 200% ihres Erhaltungsbedarfs an umsetzbarer Energie. 60% der Energie wurden durch Heu und 40% durch ein Ergänzungsfutter gedeckt. Monatlich wurde der Energiebedarf an das aktuelle Körpergewicht angepasst. Wöchentlich wurde das Körper-gewicht, der Body Condition Score (BCS) und der Cresty Neck Score (CNS) erfasst. Zu Beginn der Studie, nach einem und nach zwei Jahren der hyperkalorischen Fütterung wurde ein kombinierter Glukose-Insulin-Test (CGIT) sowie Blut- und FG-proben (abdominales FG: retroperitoneal, Mesocolon descendens; subkutanes FG: Nackenkamm und lateral der Schweifrübe) entnommen. Die FG-Probennahme erfolgte unter Allgemeinanästhesie 3-5 Tage nach dem CGIT und 15 Stunden nach einer moderat dosierten Endotoxininfusion. In den Blut-proben vom CGIT wurde Glukose im Natrium-Fluorid Plasma gemessen. Im Serum wurde Amyloid A (SAA), Insulin, freie Fettsäuren and Triglyceride analysiert. Im FG wurden die Level von Entzündungsparametern (CD68, IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα) und Lipidstoffwechselmarker (FABP4, LPL) mittels RT-qPCR analysiert. Der Tierversuch wurde genehmigt durch die Landesdirektion mit Sitz in Leipzig (TVV 32/15). Die Daten wuden mittels des Shapiro-Wilks Tests auf Normalverteilung getestet und die entsprechenden Tests wurden angewandt. Ergebnisse: Durch die hyperkalorische Ration haben Ponys und Pferde 24% ihres Körper-gewichts zugnommen. BCS und CNS sind währen der Studie angestiegen. Die Gewichts-zunahme hat in 3 von 19 Tieren eine ID ausgelöst (zwei Pferde, ein Pony). Zwei dieser Tiere (ein Pferd, ein Pony) entwickelten zusätzlich eine Hufrehe im zweiten Jahr der Studie. Basale freie Fettsäuren sind mit der Körpergewichtszunahme bei den Ponys angestiegen (290%), während sie bei den Pferden unverändert geblieben sind. Die freie Fettsäuren Kurve währen des CGITs war bei den Tieren mit Hufrehe durch einen verzögerten Anstieg am Ende des Tests im Vergleich zu den gesunden Tieren gekennzeichnet. Die SAA Konzentration blieben durch die Körper-gewichtszunahme unverändert. Bei beiden Rassen kam es mit der Körper-gewichtszunahme zu einem Anstieg des CD68 mRNA Levels in verschiedenen FG Depots. IL-1β, IL-6 und TNFα zeigten nach der Körpergewichtszunahme niedrigere oder unveränderte mRNA Level im Vergleich zu Basalwerten. Im Depotvergleich nach zweijähriger Körper-gewichtszunahme zeigte CD68 höhere mRNA Level in den abdominalen FG Depots ver-glichen mit beiden subkutanen FG Depots. IL-1β, IL-6 und TNFα hingegen wiesen zu diesem Zeitpunkt höhere mRNA-Expressionen in den subkutanen FG Depots auf. LPL und FABP4 mRNA Level stiegen an oder blieben unverändert im im Verlauf der Studie. Am Ende der Studie waren die mRNA Level von LPL und FABP4 in subkutanen FG Depots höher ver-glichen mit den abdominalen FG Depots. Eindeutige Rasseunterschiede konnten nicht charakterisiert werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Eine Gewichtszunahme von 24% der Körpermasse führte nicht bei allen Tieren zu einer ID. Jedoch erscheint das Auftreten einer Hufrehe von Veränderungen der freien Fettsäuren während des CGITs begleitet zu sein. Die Entwicklung der Adipositas war mit einer Makrophageninfiltration in das abdominale FG verbunden, allerdings war die Makrophageninfiltration nicht mit einem systemischen Entzündungsstatus assoziiert.:1 Introduction 1 2 Literature review 3 2.1 Obesity in equines 3 2.1.1 Objective measurements of obesity 3 2.1.1.1 Body condition score 3 2.1.1.2 Cresty neck score 4 2.1.1.3 Morphometric measurements 4 2.2 Insulin dysregulation 4 2.2.1 Laboratory diagnosis 5 2.2.1.1 Basal measurements 6 2.2.1.2 Dynamic testing 7 2.2.1.2.1 Oral tests..................................................................................7 2.2.1.2.2 Intravenous tests......................................................................7 2.3 Obesity related inflammation 9 2.3.1 Interleukin-1β 9 2.3.2 Interleukin-6 10 2.3.3 Tumor necrosis factor α 11 2.4 White adipose tissue 13 2.4.1 Structure and Cell types 13 2.4.2 Adipokines 13 2.4.3 Changes with obesity 13 2.4.4 Depot differences 14 2.5 Lipid metabolism 14 2.5.1 Non-esterified fatty acids 15 2.5.2 Triglycerides 16 2.5.3 Lipoprotein lipase 16 2.5.4 Fatty acid binding protein 4 16 3 Published articles 17 3.1 Effects of body weight gain on insulin and lipid metabolism in equines 17 3.2 The influence of equine body weight gain on inflammatory cytokine expressions of adipose tissue in response to endotoxin challenge 27 4 Discussion 45 4.1 Insulin and glucose metabolism 45 4.2 Lipid metabolism 45 4.2.1 Serum NEFA and TG concentrations 45 4.2.2 Adipose tissue mRNA levels of lipid metabolism marker 46 4.3 Adipose tissue inflammation parameters 47 4.3.1 Effect of body weight gain 47 4.3.2 Adipose tissue depot effect 48 4.3.3 Breed effect in obese equines 48 4.4 Laminitic equines 49 4.5 Conclusion 50 5 Zusammenfassung 51 6 Summary 53 7 References 55 8 Appendix 65 8.1 Presentations as part of this thesis 65 8.2 Co-authorship 66 8.3 Original data 67

Introduction: This thesis investigates the effect of isolated epigallocatechin-3-gallate on weight reduction in the adult population. An overview of Czech and foreign literature was provided on topics of obesity, the possibility of using green tea in its treatment and the positive effects of green tea on human health, followed by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodology: Using a three-phase systematic search strategy, published studies were searched in the Scopus database using predefined keywords. The aim of the search was to find randomized placebo-controlled studies lasting at least 8 weeks, which examined the effect of isolated EGCG in the absence of other active substances on the change of body parameters. The extracted data from the primary studies were then evaluated using meta-analysis and forest plot. As a result, a standardized mean difference with a 95 % confidence interval was calculated using a random effect model. Results: Six1 studies met the inclusion criteria, one2 of which was excluded due to insufficient evaluation in the critical appraisal of methodological quality. The remaining 5 studies provided a total sample of 325 participants who were diagnosed with a change in BMI induced by EGCG consumption. The result was a standardized average difference of -0.01, 95 % CI:...

No description available.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The epidemic of obesity and associated cardiovascular complications continues to grow at an alarming rate. Currently, obesity is thought to initiate a state of chronic inflammation, which if unresolved potentially causes cardiovascular dysfunction and disease. Although poorly understood, release of inflammatory mediators and other cytokines from adipose tissue (adipocytokines) has been proposed to be the molecular link between obesity and coronary artery disease. Furthermore, the anatomic location of adipose has been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to vascular disease. Importantly, the development of coronary atherosclerosis, a key component of heart disease, is typically found in segments of coronary arteries surrounded by perivascular adipose tissue. Accordingly, the goal of this project was to determine how perivascular adipose tissue affects coronary artery function and elucidate the critical mechanisms involved. Initial studies assessing arterial function were conducted with and without perivascular adipose tissue. Preliminary results demonstrated that factors released by perivascular adipose tissue effectively impaired coronary endothelial function both in vitro and in vivo. This observation was determined to be caused by direct inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a critical enzyme for the production nitric oxide. Attenuation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation was independent of changes in superoxide production, smooth muscle response, or peroxide-mediated vasodilation. Additional studies revealed that perivascular adipose-induced impairment of NOS was due to increased inhibitory regulation by the β isoform of protein kinase C (PKC-β). Specifically, perivascular adipose-derived factors caused site specific phosphorylation of nitric oxide synthase at Thr-495. Additional experiments investigated how perivascular adipose-derived factors contributed to coronary artery disease in an animal model of obesity. Results from these studies indicated that perivascular adipose-derived leptin markedly exacerbated underlying endothelial dysfunction, and significantly contributed to coronary endothelial dysfunction through a PKC-β dependent mechanism. Findings from this project confirm epicardial perivascular adipose tissue as a local source of harmful adipocytokines. In addition, perivascular adipose-derived leptin was demonstrated to be a critical mediator of coronary vascular dysfunction in obesity. Together, the results strongly suggest that perivascular adipose tissue is a key contributor to coronary artery disease in obesity.

Our study provided an analysis and comparison of specific blood values, dietary intake, body composition, and inflammatory markers (high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (HS-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) between adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes (PDM) to adults without diabetes. A total of 22 participants (PDM/T2DM n=12, controls n=10) in the San Luis Obispo, CA area completed the study prior to our ending recruitment due to Covid-19. Body composition data were collected through DXA scans. Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day food record survey and nutritional analysis conducted using ESHA food processing software. In addition, participants completed an overnight fast and early morning blood draw for evaluation of blood glucose regulation, blood lipid profile and inflammatory biomarkers. Analysis included a series of randomization tests that were conducted to determine possible statistical differences between the mean of basic characteristics (age, BMI, weight, HbA1C, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels) of the control group and the PDM/T2DM group. Secondly, 2-way ANOVA statistical analyses were conducted to determine the interaction between sex and diabetes status on caloric intake, macronutrient distribution, quality of fat intake, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and inflammatory biomarkers. We found there was a significant difference in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) between the control group and the PDM/T2DM group. We did not find a statistically significant difference in caloric intake, macronutrient distribution, quality of fat intake, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and inflammatory biomarkers between the PDM/T2DM and control group. Due to the lack of studies that include adults with PDM, we concluded additional future research needs to focus on blood biochemistry values, dietary intake, body composition, and inflammatory markers health-risk factors in both adults with PDM and T2DM since these values can improve diagnosis and treatment of T2DM.

The Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates many processes during embryogenesis and the homeostasis of adult organs. Recent data suggest that central metabolic processes and signaling cascades in the liver are controlled by the Hedgehog pathway and that changes in hepatic Hedgehog activity also affect peripheral tissues, such as the reproductive organs in females. Here, we show that hepatocyte-specific deletion of the Hedgehog pathway is associated with the dramatic expansion of adipose tissue in mice, the overall phenotype of which does not correspond to the classical outcome of insulin resistance-associated diabetes type 2 obesity. Rather, we show that alterations in the Hedgehog signaling pathway in the liver lead to a metabolic phenotype that is resembling metabolically healthy obesity. Mechanistically, we identified an indirect influence on the hepatic secretion of the fibroblast growth factor 21, which is regulated by a series of signaling cascades that are directly transcriptionally linked to the activity of the Hedgehog transcription factor GLI1. The results of this study impressively show that the metabolic balance of the entire organism is maintained via the activity of morphogenic signaling pathways, such as the Hedgehog cascade. Obviously, several pathways are orchestrated to facilitate liver metabolic status to peripheral organs, such as adipose tissue.