Introdução: A doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica é caracterizada pelo acúmulo hepático de lipídeos, principalmente na forma de triglicerídeos. Devido à atividade inflamatória progressiva pode evoluir para uma forma mais grave, a esteatohepatite não alcoólica. Os ácidos graxos poli-insaturados ômega-3 são associados a efeitos metabólicos positivos para redução da esteatose hepática, no entanto, são mais susceptíveis a peroxidação lipídica. Os triglicerídeos de cadeia média (TCMs) promovem a prevenção do bloqueio da beta-oxidação de ácidos graxos e redução da peroxidação lipídica, no entanto os efeitos na redução da esteatose ainda são controversos. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as implicações da dieta hiperlipídica (HL+) com óleo de peixe ou com óleo de TCM no desenvolvimento da esteatose hepática, no perfil de ácidos graxos hepáticos e no estresse oxidativo em ratos. Metodologia: Cinquenta ratos machos da linhagem wistar foram divididos em 5 grupos. Os animais receberam água e comida a vontade durante 45 dias. A adaptação a dieta HL+ foi realizada nos primeiros 15 dias. A composição da dieta do grupo que recebeu somente a gordura animal (HL+GA) era de 50% de gordura animal, e a dieta dos grupos HL+OS, HL+TCM e HL+OP era composta por 35% de gordura animal e 15% de óleo de soja, óleo de TCM e óleo de peixe, respectivamente. Resultados: Todos os grupos que receberam as dietas hiperlipídicas apresentaram maior acúmulo de gordura total e de triglicerídes hepaticos e somente os grupos HL+GA e HL+TCM apresentaram maior acúmulo de colesterol total hepático em relação ao controle. O grupo HL+TCM apresentou maior acúmulo percentual de gordura e um exacerbado acúmulo de triglicerídeos hepáticos em relação aos grupos alimentados com as dietas HL+. A redução do colesterol total sérico foi observada nos grupos HL+TCM e HL+OP, comparados ao controle. A maior incorporação hepática dos ácidos graxos EPA e DHA no grupo HL+OP contribuiu para o aumento do Índice de Peroxibilidade dos ácidos graxos e das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico livres e totais e para a depleção da vitamina E no fígado. A maior razão AGS/AGPI hepática observada no grupo HL+TCM contribuiu para a preservação dos antioxidantes hepáticos. A alanina aminotransferase, um marcador de dano hepático, apresentou-se aumentada em todos os grupos que receberam as dietas HL+. Conclusões: A dieta hiperlipídica foi eficiente na indução do acúmulo de gordura hepática. O uso do óleo de TCM foi associado a uma maior concentração de lipídeos e preservação dos antioxidantes hepáticos. A dieta hiperlipídica com óleo de peixe foi associada ao aumento significativo na peroxidação lipídica, apesar do menor acúmulo de colesterol e triglicerídeos hepaticos. / Introduction: The Non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease is characterized by hepatic accumulation of lipids, mainly in the form of triglycerides. The disease may progress to a more severe form, the Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, due to progressive inflammatory activity. Many authors have shown positive metabolic effects associated with the use of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids and reduction in hepatic steatosis. However, these fatty acids are more susceptible to lipid peroxidation. The medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are able to block beta-oxidation of fatty acids and reduce lipid peroxidation, but the MCT effects in steatosis are still controversial. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the implications of high-fat diet (HF+) with fish oil or with MCT oil in the development of hepatic steatosis, liver fatty acid profile and oxidative stress markers in rats. Methodology: Fifty wistar male rats were divided into 5 groups. The animals had free access to food and water for 45 days. The first 15 days was dedicated for adaptation to high-fat diet. The HF+AF group received high-fat diet with 50% of animal fat and the other high-fat diets were made with 35% of animal fat plus 15% of other types of fat: soybean oil (HF+SO), MCT oil (HF+MCT) and fish oil (HF+FO). Results: The high-fat groups had higher hepatic total fat and triglycerides accumulation and only the groups HF+AF and HF+MCT had higher accumulation of hepatic cholesterol compared to control. The HF+MCT group had the highest percentage of hepatic fat accumulation and an exacerbated triglyceride accumulation in the liver among HF+ groups. The serum total cholesterol decreased in groups HF+MCT and HF+FO compared with the control group. The highest incorporation of hepatic fatty acids EPA and DHA in the HF+FO group contributed to the increased fatty acids peroxidizability index and total and free hepatic TBARS and depletion of hepatic vitamin E. The biggest ratio SFA/PUFA of liver fatty acids observed in the HF+MCT group contributed to the preservation of hepatic antioxidants. The alanine aminotransferase is a liver damage marker and was increased in all high-fat groups. Conclusions: The high-fat diet was effective to increase the hepatic fat concentration. The consumption of MCT oil can increase the hepatic lipid concentration and hepatic antioxidants. There was a significant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation in the HF+FO group, although hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides were decreased.

Os efeitos do treinamento aeróbio moderado sobre a viabilidade celular e a GSIS das ilhotas pancreáticas foram investigados em camundongos C57BL/6 alimentados com dieta rica em lipídios (60%) e sacarose (20%) (HFDS). Os grupos foram: HFDS, dieta controle (C), HFDS treinado (HFDSTR), controle treinado (CTR). Após 8 semanas, houve aumentada massa corporal e adiposidade e diminuída tolerância à glicose e sensibilidade à insulina no HFDS; tais efeitos foram atenuados em HFDSTR. Houve menor percentual de células viáveis e prejudicada GSIS no HFDS do que no HFDSTR e C. As expressões do GLUT2 e da CuZn superóxido dismutase-1 (SOD1) foram diminuídas em HFDS, mas não no HFDSTR. As respostas observadas nas ilhotas do grupo HFDSTR foram semelhantes ao grupo C. O treinamento aeróbio de 8 semanas preveniu os efeitos deletérios da HFDS sobre a sensibilidade à insulina, viabilidade celular e GSIS e manteve o conteúdo enzimático antioxidante endógeno, sugerindo que o treinamento aeróbio possa ser benéfico na prevenção dos efeitos deletérios de uma HFDS. / This study investigated the aerobic training effects on GSIS and pancreatic islet cellular viability in C57BL/6 mice fed a high fat (60%) and sucrose (20%) diet (HFDS). The groups were: HFDS, control diet (C), HFDS + training (HFDSTR) and control trained (CTR). After 8 weeks the HFDS significantly increased body mass and adiposity, decreased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and impaired GSIS and cellular viability; these effects were attenuated in HFDSTR. There were less viable pancreatic islets cells and impaired GSIS in HFDS than in HFDSTR and C. The decreased GLUT 2 and CuZn-superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein expression in HFDS were increased in HFDSTR. Most pancreatic islet responses were similar between HFDSTR and C. Eight weeks aerobic training prevented deleterious effects of HFDS on insulin sensitivity, cellular viability and GSIS, and maintained endogenous antioxidant enzyme content, thus suggesting that aerobic training may be beneficial to prevent adverse metabolic effects associated with westernized diet consuming.

Le diabète de type 2 constitue un enjeu majeur de santé publique et la mise au point de stratégies insulino-sensibilisantes est un défi permanent pour les scientifiques. Cette étude montre qu’un traitement chronique au myo-inositol améliore la sensibilité à l’insuline, réduit l’accrétion adipeuse et augmente la capacité de survie des souris au paraquat. L’effet insulino-sensibilisant semble passer, au moins en partie, par un effet direct sur la voie de signalisation insuline (éventuelle implication de médiateurs de type inositol glycanes). La diminution de l’accrétion adipeuse semble, quant à elle, liée à une réduction de l’activité de lipogenèse de novo et doit probablement aussi contribuer à l’effet insulino-sensibilisant sur le long terme. Une supplémentation en myo-inositol a également amélioré la sensibilité à l’insuline et réduit l’accrétion adipeuse chez la souris sous régime riche en graisses, mais n’a pu prévenir le dévelopement d’une obésité et d’une insulino-résistance associée à une lipotoxicité. Par ailleurs, chez des souris âgées obèses et au contrôle glycémique altéré, la supplémentation en myo-inositol fut inefficace. Cette réduction ou perte d’effet insulino-sensibilisant dans ces deux modèles murins pourrait être liée à la perte d’efficacité du myo-inositol sur la réduction de la masse adipeuse dans un contexte d’obésité déjà installée (souris âgées) et d’activité de lipogenèse de novo réduite (régime gras). De plus, la génération de messagers secondaires putatifs de l’insuline de type inositol glycanes est probablement réduite en cas d’insulino-résistance et pourrait aussi expliquer la perte d’efficacité du myo-inositol dans ces deux cas. Finalement, le myo-inositol seul et/ou utilisé dans le contexte d’une suralimentation chronique n’est pas une stratégie viable de prévention ou de traitement de la résistance à l’insuline. Par contre, son association avec d’autres stratégies insulino-sensibilisantes pourrait potentialiser son/leurs action(s) et éventuellement aider à réduire l’utilisation de stratégies médicamenteuses. / Insulin resistance is the first step in the development of type 2 diabetes so finding insulin-sensitizing strategies is challenging for scientists. Some inositol isomers or derivatives have been reported to exert insulin-mimetic activity. myo-Inositol being the most abundant stereoisomeric form of inositol in foodstuffs, we tested its insulin-mimetic potential in the long term and as a nutritional strategy for insulin resistance prevention and/or treatment. This study demonstrates that chronic myo-inositol treatment improves insulin sensitivity, reduces white adipose tissue accretion and improves mice survival mice to paraquat challenge. The insulin-sensitizing effect seems to be related to a direct effect on insulin signaling pathway. Reduction in adipose tissue mass also probably contribute to the long term effect of myo-inositol on insulin sensitivity. Myo-Inositol supplementation also improved insulin sensitivity and reduced white adipose tissue deposition in mice fed a high fat diet, but did not prevent insulin-resistance or obesity development. On one year-old mice with established obesity and altered glycemic control, myo-inositol supplementation showed no beneficial effect. myo-Inositol apparently acts on adipose tissue through reduction of de novo lipogenesis rather than stimulation of lipolysis. This may explain the lack or loss of myo-inositol efficiency in reducing adipose tissue mass in contexts of already well-established obesity (old mice) or reduced de novo lipogenesis (high fat diet feeding). Generation of inositol glycan putative insulin second messengers is probably reduced in context of insulin resistance which may explain the reduced effect of myo-inositol in both obese mice models. Moreover, myo-Inositol did not prevent lipotoxicity and so the associated insulin-resistance in high fat diet fed mice. In conclusion, myo-inositol alone and/or in a context of overnutrition is not a suitable strategy for the prevention or treatment of insulin resistance. Combining it with other insulin sentitizing strategies may however potentiate their action and help reducing insulin-sensitizing drugs use.

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Cicogna / Resumo: A obesidade é uma doença metabólica complexa considerada uma pandemia global e associada à alta incidência de doença cardiovascular. O excesso de tecido adiposo pode promover mal adaptação que resulta em alterações na estrutura e função do coração; no entanto, os mecanismos não estão totalmente elucidados. A proteômica pode fornecer uma compreensão mais profunda do processo fisiopatológico e contribuir para a identificação de novos potenciais alvos terapêuticos. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão proteica miocárdica em ratos saudáveis e obesos por dieta Ocidental, empregando duas abordagens proteômicas, para melhor compreender a rede de mecanismos inerentes à disfunção cardíaca na obesidade. Ratos Wistar foram distribuídos em dois grupos: controle (C, n = 13; dieta controle) e obeso (Ob, n = 13; dieta Ocidental) alimentados por 41 semanas. A obesidade foi determinada pelo índice de adiposidade. A função cardíaca foi avaliada pelo ecocardiograma e análise do músculo papilar isolado. A proteômica foi baseada em eletroforese em gel bidimensional (2-DE) juntamente com espectrometria de massa (LC-MS/MS) e cromatografia-líquida em nanofluxo com espectrometria de massa em tandem (nanoLC-MS/MS) seguida de quantificação label-free. Ratos obesos apresentaram aumento do índice de adiposidade e disfunção cardíaca sistólica e diastólica comparados aos controles. Um total de 82 proteínas miocárdicas foram identificadas como diferencialmente expressas entre os grupos ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Obesity is a complex metabolic disease considered a global pandemic and associated with high incidence of cardiovascular disease. The excess of adipose tissue may promotes maladaptation that result in alterations in structure and function of the heart; however, the mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Proteomics may provide a deeper understanding into the pathophysiological process and contribute to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets. Thus, the aim of this was evaluate the myocardial protein expression in healthy and obese rats, employing two proteomic approaches to better comprehend the network of mechanisms inherent to cardiac dysfunction in obesity. Male Wistar rats were distributed into two groups: control (C, n=13; standard diet) and obese (Ob, n=13; Western diet) fed for 41 weeks. The obesity was determined by adipose index. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiogram and isolated papillary muscle analysis. The proteomics was based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) along with mass spectrometry identification (LC-MS/MS) and nano-liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) followed by label-free quantification. Obese rats showed increased adiposity index and systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction. A total of 82 myocardial proteins was identified as differentially expressed between C and Ob groups using two proteomic strategies, being 43 up- and 39 down-regulated by obesity. These proteins are involved in imp... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Le maintien de l’homéostasie énergétique est placé sous le contrôle de cytokines qui agissent dans le système nerveux central, notamment au niveau de l’hypothalamus. En particulier, la leptine, cytokine produite par le tissu adipeux, diminue la prise alimentaire et stimule la perte de poids. L’obésité est une épidémie mondiale qui progresse de façon alarmante, notamment chez les enfants et souvent associée à des pathologies sévères et des désordres endocriniens comme la résistance à la leptine ou à l’insuline. Le CNTF (Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor) est une neurocytokine de la même famille que la leptine dont l’un des principaux avantages est qu’il stimule la perte de poids dans les cas de leptino-résistance en activant les mêmes voies de signalisation que la leptine (Benomar et al., 2009). Face à l’épidémie mondiale d’obésité,chez la population adulte comme enfantine, il apparaît nécessaire de décrypter les mécanismes impliqués dans la genèse de la maladie ainsi que les potentiels agents thérapeutiques.L’objectif premier de ce travail de thèse a été de caractériser l’impact d’une alimentation maternelle hyperlipidique (HF) sur les capacités de contrôle de l’homéostasie énergétique chez la descendance. En effet, le concept de « programmation métabolique » propose que des pertubations de l’environnement périnatal puissent influencer durablement la descendance, la rendant plus susceptible de développer une obésité dans un contexte nutrionnellement riche.Des études menées au sein du laboratoire ont montré qu’un régime maternel HF pouvait programmer l’acquisition de la leptino-résistance chez la descendance à l’âge adulte (Ferezou-Viala et al., 2007b). Nous avons donc testé la prédispostion de ces animaux à prendre du poids lorsqu’ils étaient nourris avec un régime hypercalorique (P). Nos données ont montréqu’étonnamment, le régime maternel HF protégeait la descendance contre le gain de poids induite par le régime P, induisait des modifications d’expression des marqueurs de l’homéostasie énergétique dans le foie et l’hypothalamus, ainsi que de profondes réorganisations cytoarchitectoniques dans le noyau arqué. Plus précisément, le régime maternel HF était associé à une réorganisation de la couverture astrocytaire périvasculaire dans le noyau arqué de la descendance qui persistait à l’âge adulte.Dans une seconde partie de la thèse, nous avons étudié les mécanismes d’action du CNTF. En effet, notre équipe a récemment mis en évidence que le CNTF endogène pourrait jouer un rôle dans la régulation de l’homéostasie énergétique. Les niveaux hypothalamiques de cette cytokine, présente dans les astrocytes et les neurones du noyau arqué, augmentent chez les animaux résistant à une alimentation hypercalorique. Cela pourrait suggérer un rôle protecteur du CNTF contre la prise de poids chez certains individus (Vacher et al., 2008). A ce jour, les mécanismes d’action du CNTF restent cependant mal compris car ce dernier ne possède pas de peptide signal et n’est donc pas sécrété selon des mécanismes d’exocytose classiques. Partant du constat que le CNTF et ses sous-unités réceptrices étaient distribuées de façon similaire dans les cellules du noyau arqué, nous avons émis l’hypothèse que le CNTF pourrait exercer une action intracellulaire sur les cellules de cette structure. Dans cette étude nous démontrons que le CNTF peut interagir directement avec ses récepteurs dans le noyau des neurones anorexigènes du noyau arqué, pour réguler leur activité transcriptionnelle. Ces données proposent ainsi un nouveau mécanisme à l’action anorexigène du CNTF / Obesity is a major health disease which involves numerous metabolic disorders. Increasing evidence suggests that the risk of developing the pathology in adulthood may be influenced through inappropriate perinatal nutrition. In our study, we first investigated the impact of a maternal high-fat (HF) diet, which is known to induce hypothalamic leptin resistance in adult offspring (Férézou-Viala et al., 2007), to develop obesity in a rich diet environment (P diet). Our results showed that surprisingly, HF maternal diet protected offspring against body weight gain induced by P diet. In a second part of the thesis, we studied mechanisms of action of CNTF, a neurocytokine which could protect some people against body weight gain induced by a P diet (Vacher et al., 2008). Results of this study showed that CNTF ant its subunits receptors could translocate to the hypothalamic cell nucleus to induced POMC transcription.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Este trabalho teve o objetivo de estudar o efeito de medicamentos com diferentes ações agonista PPAR (rosiglitazona, fenofibrato e bezafibrato) sobre o perfil lipídico, glicídico e alterações na massa corporal e morfologia do tecido adiposo e pancreático em modelo de diabetes e sobrepeso induzido por dieta. Camundongos C57BL/6 (2 meses de idade) foram alimentados com dieta padrão (SC, n=10) ou dieta hiperlipídica rica em sacarose (HFHS, n=40) por 6 semanas. Logo após, os animais HFHS foram subdividos em: HFHS não tratado e HFHS tratado com rosiglitazona (HFHS-Ro), fenofibrato (HFHS-Fe) ou bezafibrato (HFHS-Bz) (5 semanas). Os camundongos alimentados com dieta HFHS apresentaram maior glicemia e insulina de jejum (+33% e +138%, respectivamente), intolerância à glicose, resistência à insulina, aumento da massa corporal (MC) (+20%) e adiposidade, hipertrofia de adipócitos e redução da imunocoloração para adiponectina no tecido adiposo. No pâncreas houve aumento da massa (+28%), acúmulo de gordura (+700%), hipertrofia da ilhota (+38%) e redução da imunocoloração para GLUT-2 (-60%). A rosiglitazona diminuiu a glicemia e insulina de jejum, porém induziu o ganho de MC e hipertrofia cardíaca. O fenofibrato estabilizou a MC, enquanto o bezafibrato levou a perda de MC. Apenas o bezafibrato impediu a hipertrofia da ilhota. A imunocoloração para GLUT-2 foi aumentada por todos os medicamentos, e não houve alterações na imunocoloração para o PPARα. Sinais morfológicos de pancreatite foram vistos no grupo HFHS-Fe, apesar dos níveis normais de amilase e lipase séricos. A rosiglitazona exacerbou a infiltração intrapancreática de gordura (+75% vs. HFHS), e o bezafibrato aumento a imunocoloração para o PPARβ/δ nas ilhotas pancreáticas. Em conclusão, o bezafibrato apresentou um efeito mais amplo sobre as alterações metabólicas, morfológicas e biométricas decorrentes da dieta HFHS, sugerindo que a inibição das três isoformas do PPAR seria melhor do que a inibição de apenas uma isoforma. A rosiglitazona exacerbou o ganho de MC, a infiltração de gordura no pâncreas e induziu hipertrofia cardíaca, assim, é necessário cautela ao prescrever este medicamento a um paciente obeso. / This work aimed to evaluate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists (rosiglitazone, fenofibrate and bezafibrate) on lipid and glucose metabolism, body mass, and adipose and pancreatic tissue morphology in a model of diet-induced type 2 diabetes and overweight in mice. Two-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a standard chow (SC, n=10) or a high-fat high-sucrose chow (HFHS, n=40) for 6 weeks, and then HFHS-fed mice were subdivided by treatment: untreated HFHS and HFHS treated with rosiglitazone (HFHS-Ro), fenofibrate (HFHS-Fe), or bezafibrate (HFHS-Bz) (5 weeks on medication). HFHS-fed mice have altered fasting glucose (+33%) and insulin (+138%), GI, IR, increased body mass (+20%) and fat pad weight, adipocyte hypertrophy, and decreased adiponectin immunostain. They also presented increased pancreatic (+28%) mass, intrapancreatic fat (+700%), islet hypertrophy (+38%), and decreased GLUT-2 immunostain (-60%). Rosiglitazone reduced fasting glucose and insulin but induced weight gain and heart hypertrophy. Fenofibrate impaired body mass gain, while bezafibrate induced weight loss. Only bezafibrate impaired islet hypertrophy. GLUT-2 immunostain was improved by all treatments, and there were no alterations in PPAR-α stain. There were morphological signs of pancreatitis in fenofibrate-treated mice, although there was no alteration in serum amylase and lipase. Rosiglitazone exacerbated pancreatic fat infiltration (+75% vs. HFHS group), and bezafibrate increased PPAR-β expression in pancreatic islets. In conclusion, bezafibrate showed a wider range of action on metabolic, morphologic, and biometric alterations due to HFHS intake, suggesting that inhibiting the three PPAR isoforms is better than inhibiting each isoform alone. Rosiglitazone exacerbated body mass gain, pancreatic fat infiltration and induced heart hypertrophy as well, thus, precaution has to be taken in prescribing rosiglitazone to obese patients.

Una dieta scorretta incrementa il rischio di malattie come l’insulino resistenza e l’obesità. Questa tesi ha l’obiettivo di valutare l’effetto di diete sbilanciate sulla fisiologia ed espressione genica in topi e suini allo svezzamento. Topi C57BL/6 sono stati sacrificati dopo 2 settimane, dopo essere stati alimentati con dieta iper-lipidica e dieta controllo. L’espressione genica è stata stimata usando la tecnologia microarray. Quattro dei sette geni identificati differenzialmente espressi tra il controllo e l’iper-lipidico sono coinvolti nella regolazione della via metabolica del sistema circadiano, che recentemente è stato mostrato avere effetti sul metabolismo lipidico e processo infiammatorio. Il secondo studio ha avuto lo scopo di capire gli effetti dello svezzamento con o senza l’aggiunta di acidificante nella dieta. I suinetti allo svezzamento (T0) sono stati comparati con i suinetti dopo una settimana (T1). Il gruppo post-svezzamento è stato alimentato con una dieta convenzionale, e metà di questi hanno ricevuto un supplemento di acido sorbico. L’aggiunta di acido sorbico nella dieta non ha causato nessuna differenza a livello fisiologico e di espressione genica. 205 geni sono stati identificati come differenzialmente espressi in T1 comparato con T0, evidenziando una forte risposta all’adattamento metabolico e agli stress subiti durante lo svezzamento. / An incorrect diet increases the risk of diseases as insulin resistance and obesity. This thesis aims at assessing the effects of unbalanced diets on gut physiology and gene expression in pig and mouse during weaning. The first research explored the impact of a high fat diet in C57BL/6 mice. High-fat-fed mice and control-fed mice were sacrificed after two weeks of treatment. Gene expression level was assessed by 90K Combimatrix microarray technology. Four of seven genes found differentially expressed between control and high fat diet mice are involved in the regulatory pathway of the circadian clock system, which was recently shown to affect lipid metabolism and inflammatory processes. Those genes were successfully validated by real time PCR. The second study aimed at understanding the weaning effect with or without acidifier addition in the diet. Piglets at weaning (T0) were compared to piglets after one week (T1). The post-weaning group was fed a conventional diet, half of which received in addition sorbic acid. The sorbic acid supplementation evidenced no effects in terms of physiology and gene expression. 205 genes were significantly differentially expressed in T1 when compared with T0, evidencing a response to the metabolic adaptation and the stress suffered during weaning.

La stéatohépatite non alcoolique (NASH) est une pathologie du foie dont l’amplitude et les répercussions sont de plus en plus préoccupantes dans le monde médical ou biomédical. Elle est associée à l’obésité, au syndrome métabolique et au diabète sucré de type II. La recherche de la thérapie optimale pour le NASH est un domaine en plein essor puisqu’aucun traitement n’est suffisamment efficace à ce jour. La présente étude fait le point sur de nouvelles possibilités de traitements qui se sont avérés efficaces pour contrer les différentes lésions métaboliques et cellulaires rencontrées dans un modèle in vivo chez le rat où le NASH est induit par l’ingestion d’une diète riche en gras. Cette étude démontre, tout d’abord, que les traitements durant six semaines avec l’acide ursodéoxycholique (UDCA) et son dérivé le NCX 1000, possédant des propriétés donatrices de monoxyde d’azote, à doses équimolaires, protègent de manière équivalente le foie contre le stress oxydatif, l’hyperinsulinémie, l’inflammation et la fibrose causés par la stéatohépatite. De plus, la combinaison d’une plus faible dose de NCX 1000 avec un antioxydant lipophile tel que la vitamine E offre une protection similaire, particulièrement au niveau des paramètres du stress oxydatif. Par ailleurs, l’étude illustre aussi que la silibinine, composé polyphénolique actif du chardon marie (Silybum marianum) et utilisé en traitement pendant 5 semaines, possède un pouvoir hépatoprotecteur, des propriétés antioxydantes et un effet hypoinsulinémique dans ce modèle de stéatohépatite d’origine nutritionnelle. Le potentiel thérapeutique de ces composés en fait des candidats de choix pour le traitement du NASH qui méritent de faire l’objet d’études cliniques poussées. / Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious liver condition related to the metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type II diabetes mellitus whose prevalence is drastically rising in developed countries and worldwide. Several remedies were investigated for the treatment of NASH but an efficient therapy has yet to be developed. In the present study, we explored novel therapeutic possibilities that were thought to be effective for the treatment of experimental high-fat diet-induced NASH the in rat. Our results show that a chronic six week treatment with a high dose of NCX 1000, a derivative of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with nitric oxide (NO) donating properties, is efficient at reversing steatosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance and fibrosis; major hallmarks of experimental NASH. We also demonstrated that the mother molecule, UDCA, is as efficacious in controlling the same parameters at equimolar doses. Moreover, our study demonstrates that NCX 1000 at lower doses can exert similar potent properties when combined with lipophilic antioxidants like vitamin E. On the other hand, we found that a 5-week treatment with silibinin, the major active component of milk thistle extract, improved liver steatosis and inflammation and decreased NASH-induced oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fibrosis. These compounds have therefore the potential for being developed for the treatment of NASH. Clinical evidences are needed.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A intervenção farmacológica pode minimizar ou até mesmo reverter o remodelamento adverso em órgãos num modelo de síndrome metabólica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos das monoterapias e associações medicamentosas sobre a morfologia do tecido adiposo, remodelamento hepático e pancreático em camundongos C57bl/6 alimentados com dieta very high-fat. Camundongos C57bl/6 machos foram alimentados com dieta very high-fat (HF, 60% de lipídios) ou dieta padrão (SC, 10% de lipídios) por 10 semanas, quando foram iniciados os tratamentos: HF-T (HF + Telmisartana, 5.2mg/Kg/dia), HF-S (HF + Sitagliptina, 1.08g/Kg/dia), HF-M (HF + Metformina, 310.0mg/Kg/dia) e as associações medicamentosas HF-TM, HF-TS e HF-SM. Os grupos tratados também tiveram livre acesso à dieta high fat e os tratamentos duraram 6 semanas. Técnicas morfométricas, estereológicas, imunohistoquímicas, ELISA, western blotting e microscopia eletrônica foram utilizadas. A dieta high-fat causou sobrepeso, intolerância oral à glucose, hiperinsulinemia, hipertrofia de ilhotas e adipócitos, grau 2 de esteatose hepatica (<33%) redução da expressão de PPAR-alfa e de GLUT-2, concomitante com aumento da expressão de SREBP-1 no grupo HF (P<0.0001). Por outro lado, todos os tratamentos resultaram em perda de peso significativa, reversão da resistência à insulina, hipertrofia de ilhotas e adipócitos e alívio da esteatose hepática. Somente os grupos HF-T e HF-TS apresentaram massa corporal similar ao grupo SC ao final do experimento, sendo que o ultimo também apresentou reversão da esteatose hepática. O aumento da expressão do PPAR-alfa paralelamente ao decréscimo da expressão do SREBP-1 explica os achados favoráveis para o fígado. A normalização do tamanho do adipócito foi consistente com os níveis maiores de adiponectina e com a redução dos níveis de TNF-alfa (P<0.0001) nos grupos tratados.Todos os tratamentos foram eficazes para controlar a síndrome metabólica. Os melhores resultados foram alcançados com a telmisartana e sitagliptina como monoterapias ou como associação entre essas, combinando a ativação parcial do PPAR-alfa no fígado com a extensão do tempo de ação das incretinas / Pharmacological intervention can minimize or even reverse adverse remodeling due to metabolic syndrome. This work sought to evaluate the effects of monotherapies and combinations of drugs on insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue morphology, pancreatic and hepatic remodelling in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a very high-fat diet (HF, 60% lipids) or standard chow (SC, 10% lipids) over 10 weeks, after which drug treatments began: HF-T (HF + Telmisartan, 5.2mg/Kg/day), HF-S (HF + Sitagliptin, 1.08g/Kg/day), HF-M (HF + Metformin, 310.0mg/Kg/day) and the drug combinations HF-TM, HF-TS and HF-SM. Treated groups also had free access to HF diet and treatments lasted 6 weeks. Morphometry, stereological tools, immunostaining, ELISA, Western blotting and electron microscopy were used. The HF diet yielded an overweight phenotype, oral glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertrophied islets and adipocytes, stage 2 steatosis (<33%) and reduced liver PPAR-alpha and GLUT-2, concomitant with enhanced SREBP-1 expression, in the HF group (P<0.0001). Conversely, all drug treatments resulted in significant weight loss, reversed insulin resistance, islet and adipocyte hypertrophy and alleviated hepatic steatosis. Only HF-T and HF-TS presented body weights similar to SC mice at the end of the experiment and the latter treatment reversed hepatic steatosis. Increased PPAR-alpha immunostaining parallel to higher GLUT-2 and reduced SREBP-1 expression explain the favourable hepatic outcomes. Restoration of adipocyte size was consistent with higher adiponectin levels and lower TNF-alpha levels (P<0.0001) in treated groups. In conclusion, all treatments were effective in controlling metabolic syndrome. The best results were achieved using Telmisartan and Sitagliptin as monotherapies or as a dual treatment, combining partial PPAR-gamma agonism and PPAR-alpha activation in the liver with extended incretin action

A dieta hiperlipídica (high-fat, HF) materna durante a gestação e/ou lactação aumenta a susceptibilidade da prole para o desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas na fase adulta. Verificar a hipótese que a ingestão materna de dieta HF nos períodos críticos de desenvolvimento (gestação e/ou lactação) predispõe à doença não alcoólica do fígado gorduroso e alterações pancreáticas e no tecido adiposo de camundongos machos adultos. Camundongos C57BL/6 fêmeas receberam durante a gestação e/ou lactação dieta padrão (standard chow, SC) ou HF. Filhotes machos foram divididos em cinco grupos: SC provenientes de mães SC; G provenientes de mães HF durante a gestação; L provenientes de mães HF durante a lactação; GL/HF provenientes de mães HF durante a gestação/lactação, mantendo a mesma dieta HF no período pós-natal (do desmame aos 3 meses deidade); GL provenientes de mães HF durante a gestação/lactação trocando a dieta para SC no período pós-natal (do desmame aos 3 meses deidade). Foi analisada ao longo do experimento a massa corporal da prole. No sacrifício (3 meses), o fígado, o pâncreas e a gordura epididimária foram removidos, pesados e processados e o sangue foi coletado para análise bioquímica. Ao nascimento e ao desmame, filhotes GL/HF foram mais pesados (+6% e +44%, p<0,05, respectivamente) que os filhotes SC. Os filhotes G apresentaram resistência à insulina e menor expressão do transportador de glicose no fígado (GLUT-2). A esteatose hepática foi observada nos grupos G, L, GL e principalmente nos filhotes do grupo GL/HF. A expressão hepática da proteína ligante de elementos regulatórios de esteróis (SREBP-1c) estava aumentada nos filhotes G, GL e GL/HF. Os filhotes G, GL e GL/HF apresentaram hipertrofia da ilhota pancreática e dos adipócitos quando comparados com o grupo SC. O consumo de dieta HF durante a gestação mostra-se ser o período mais prejudicial para os filhotes adultos de camundongos. A programação metabólica por dieta HF leva ao remodelamento adverso do fígado, do pâncreas e do tecido adiposo / Maternal high-fat diet (HF) during gestation and/or lactation period increases the susceptibility to development of chronic disease in offspring adult life. This work aimed to verify the hypothesis that maternal intake of high-fat diet in critical periods of pregnancy and/or suckling period predisposes to non alcoholic fatty liver disease, pancreatic and adipose tissue alterations in adulthood mice offspring. C57BL/6 female mice were fed, during gestation and/or lactation phases, with standard chow (SC) or HF diet. Male pups were divided into 5 groups: SC- from SC fed dam; G- from HF fed dam during gestation period; L- from HF fed dam during lactation period; GL- from HF fed dam during gestation and lactation periods and GL/HF- from HF fed dam during gestation and lactation, maintaining HF diet from post-weaning to adulthood. We analyzed body mass in all experiment, and at the euthanasia (3 mo-old), liver, pancreas and adipose tissue were removed, weighted and embedded. Blood was collected to biochemical analyses. At birth and at weaning, GL/HF pups were heavier than SC pups (+6% and +44%, p<0.05, respectively). G offspring showed insulin resistance and lower glucose transporter-2 expression (GLUT-2). Hepatic steatosis was present in G, L, GL and mainly in GL/HF offspring. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression was higher in G, GL and GL/HF offspring. It is important to mention that pancreatic islet hypertrophy and adipocyte hypertrophy were affected in G, GL and GL/HF offspring in comparison to SC. HF diet administration during gestation period is worse than lactation period. Furthermore, this type of programming by HF predisposes to adverse remodeling in liver, pancreas and adipose tissue in adult mice offspring