Role of AMPK in pancreatic beta cell function

Pharmacological activation of AMP activated kinase (AMPK) by metformin has proven to be a beneficial therapeutic approach for the treatment of type II diabetes. Despite improved glucose regulation achieved by administration of small molecule activators of AMPK, the potential negative impact of enhanced AMPK activity on insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta cell is an important consideration. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the role of AMPK in central functions of the pancreatic beta cell, including glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), proliferation, and survival. In addition we discuss the controversy surrounding the role of AMPK in insulin secretion, underscoring the merits and caveats of methods used to date.     

Hypercholesterolemia and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase regulation in aged female rats

Coronary heart disease is less prevalent in pre-menopausal women than in men, but increases at the onset of menopause. This delay is due to estrogen protective effects. The rise of cholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors for coronary disease. Since 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) is the rate-limiting enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, it plays a pivotal role in cholesterol homeostasis maintenance. Aim of this study is to investigate whether HMGR is involved in the cholesterolemia increase that occurs during aging, and to consider its potential role as a target for estrogen protective effects. “In vivo” studies have been performed using the livers of 12-month-old female rats (whose estrogen level decrease is comparable to the one detected at the occurrence of human menopause), 12-month-old female rats treated with 17-β-estradiol, and 3-month-old untreated male and female rats. The results indicated hypercholesterolemic status and a significant increase of HMGR activity according to a reduced activation of AMPK detected in treated rats compared to controls. Furthermore, 17-β estradiol treatment reduced HMGR activity restoring AMPK activation. These findings highlight the correlation between estrogen and HMGR short-term regulation, and suggest the presence of another mechanism underlying the protective role of estrogen in age-related diseases.     

Globular adiponectin augments insulin secretion from pancreatic islet beta cells at high glucose concentrations

Adiponectin plays an important role in improving insulin resistance and preventing atherosclerosis. However it has been rarely reported that adiponectin influences insulin secretion because its receptor was identified in human islet β cells. In order to investigate the direct effect of adiponectin on pancreatic islet β cells, we performed an insulin secretion test in purified rat islets, which were incubated with adiponectin (100 ng/mL) at low (3.3 mM) and high (16.7 mM) glucose concentrations. Furthermore, cell lysates were extracted from the adiponectin-treated islets for p-AMPKα assay. RTPCR and immunohistochemical examination showed both adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and receptor 2 (A dipoR2) were expressed in islet cells and AdipoR1 was predominantly expressed. Insulin secretion was significantly increased in the presence of adiponectin for 6 h at high glucose concentration. Meanwhile, the levels of phosphorylated AMPK increased with adiponectin treatment at high glucose concentrations. It is concluded that adiponectin augments insulin secretion from pancreatic islet β cells at high glucose concentration through AMPK activation.     

α-Lipoic acid regulates AMP-activated protein kinase and inhibits insulin secretion from beta cells

Aims/hypothesis The antioxidant compound α-lipoic acid (α-LA) possesses antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties. In the hypothalamus, α-LA suppresses appetite and prevents obesity by inhibiting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Given the therapeutic potential of α-LA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, and the importance of AMPK in beta cells, we examined the effect of α-LA on pancreatic beta cell function.Materials and methods Isolated rat islets and MIN6 beta cells were treated acutely (15–90 min) or chronically (18–24 h) with α-LA or the known AMPK-activating compounds 5′-amino-imidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) and metformin. Insulin secretion, the AMPK-signalling pathway, mitochondrial function and cell growth were assessed.Results Acute or chronic treatment of islets and MIN6 cells with α-LA led to dose-dependent rises in phosphorylation of the AMPK α-subunit and acetyl CoA carboxylase. Chronic exposure to α-LA, AICAR or metformin caused a reduction in insulin secretion. α-LA inhibited the p70 s6 kinase translational control pathway, and inhibited MIN6 growth in a manner similar to rapamycin. Unlike AICAR and metformin, α-LA also acutely inhibited insulin secretion. Examination of the effect of α-LA on mitochondrial function showed that acute treatment with this compound elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhanced mitochondrial depolarisation induced by Ca²⁺.Conclusions/interpretation This study is the first to demonstrate that α-LA directly affects beta cell function. The chronic effects of α-LA include AMPK activation and reductions in insulin secretion and content, and cell growth. Acutely, α-LA also inhibits insulin secretion, an effect probably involving the ROS-induced impairment of mitochondrial function.     

Troglitazone causes acute mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and an AMPK-mediated increase in glucose phosphorylation in muscle cells

Aims/hypothesis Troglitazone was the first thiazolidinedione (TZD) approved for clinical use, exerting hypoglycaemic effects related to its action as a ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor receptor in adipocytes. However, emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial function may be affected by troglitazone, and that skeletal muscle cells acutely respond to troglitazone by enhancing glucose uptake. The aim of the present study was to determine the cellular mechanisms by which troglitazone acutely stimulates glucose utilisation in skeletal muscle cells.Methods L6 cells overexpressing GLUT4myc were incubated with troglitazone. Glucose uptake, transport and phosphorylation as well as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling and insulin signalling were examined. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were measured using the J-aggregate-forming dye JC-1. AMPK signalling was interfered with using AMPK 1/2 siRNA.Results Troglitazone acutely (in 10 min) reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential in L6GLUT4myc myotubes and robustly stimulated AMPK activity. Following 30 min of incubation with troglitazone or insulin, 2-deoxyglucose uptake was stimulated 1.5- and 2.1-fold respectively, and in cells treated with troglitazone, a 1.8-fold increase in the 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate:2-deoxyglucose ratio was observed. Moreover, contrary to insulin, troglitazone did not significantly stimulate 3-O-methylglucose uptake. Unlike insulin, troglitazone did not increase surface GLUT4myc content and did not increase IRS1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity or Akt phosphorylation on T308 and S473. Interestingly, interfering with troglitazone-induced activation of AMPK by decreasing the expression of the enzyme using siRNA inhibited the stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake by the TZD.Conclusions/interpretation We propose that troglitazone acutely increases glucose flux in muscle via an AMPK-mediated increase in glucose phosphorylation.     

A high isoflavone diet decreases 5′ adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase activation and does not correct selenium-induced elevations in fasting blood glucose in mice

Selenium (Se) has been implicated as a micronutrient that decreases adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and may increase diabetes risk by reducing insulin sensitivity. Soy isoflavones (IF) are estrogen-like compounds that have been shown to attenuate insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, adiposity, and increased AMPK activation. We hypothesized that a high IF (HIF) diet would prevent the poor metabolic profile associated with high Se intake. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in basal glucose metabolism and AMPK signaling in response to an HIF diet and/or supplemental Se in a mouse model. Male FVB mice were divided into groups receiving either a control diet with minimal IF (low IF) or an HIF diet. Each dietary group was further subdivided into groups receiving either water or Se at a dose of 3 mg Se/kg body weight daily, as Se-methylselenocysteine (SMSC). After 5 months, mice receiving SMSC had elevated fasting glucose (P < .05) and a tendency for glucose intolerance (P = .08). The increase in dietary IF did not result in improved fasting blood glucose. Interestingly, after 6 months, HIF-fed mice had decreased basal AMPK activation in liver and skeletal muscle tissue (P < .05). Basal glucose metabolism was changed by SMSC supplementation as evidenced by increased fasting blood glucose and glucose intolerance. High dietary IF levels did not protect against aberrant blood glucose. In FVB mice, decreased basal AMPK activation is not the mechanism through which Se exerts its effect. These results suggest that more research must be done to elucidate the role of Se and IF in glucose metabolism.     

二甲双胍通过AMPK/STAT3信号通路抑制星形胶质细胞的反应性

探讨二甲双胍对体外培养的大鼠脊髓星形胶质细胞反应性的作用及机制。方法 使用三因子（TNF-α、IL-1α、C1q）诱导产生反应性星形胶质细胞,RT-qPCR及Westernblot检测补体3（C3）的表达;使用5、10、20 mM浓度的二甲双胍处理,Westernblot检测星形胶质细胞中腺苷酸激活蛋白激酶（AMPK）与信号转导和转录激活因子3（STAT3）磷酸化水平;采用AMPK抑制剂Compound C处理,检测AMPK和STAT3磷酸化水平。结果 形态学及RT-qPCR结果显示：与对照组相比,三因子处理改变了星形胶质细胞形态并显著提高了C3的表达（P＜0.05）,表明成功建立反应性星形胶质细胞模型。RT-qPCR结果及Westernblot结果显示：与对照组相比,二甲双胍对C3表达有明显的抑制作用,呈现浓度依赖性（P＜0.05）。在诱导星形胶质细胞反应性过程中,与对照组相比,AMPK的磷酸化水平显著降低（P＜0.05）,使用不同浓度二甲双胍处理后,AMPK的磷酸化水平显著增加且呈浓度依赖性（P＜0.05）,同时信号传导及STAT3的磷酸化水平显著降低且呈浓度依赖性（P＜0.05）。AMPK抑制剂Compound C处理后显著抑制了二甲双胍导致的AMPK活性升高及STAT3活性降低,同时抑制了C3表达下调（P＜0.05）。结论 二甲双胍通过AMPK/STAT3信号通路抑制星形胶质细胞的反应性     

牛蒡子苷对L6骨骼肌细胞中腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶信号通路的影响

目的：探讨牛蒡子苷在L6骨骼肌细胞中对葡萄糖消耗和腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶（ AMP?activated protein kinase, AMPK）信号通路的调节作用。方法用含2％胎牛血清的1640培养基诱导L6骨骼肌细胞分化,直至细胞生长出肌管,分化完成后的L6骨骼肌细胞用含有不同浓度牛蒡子苷的培养基培养24 h后,采用葡萄糖氧化酶法检测细胞葡萄糖消耗,western blot法检测AMPK的亚单位AMPKα和磷酸化腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶（ p?AMP?activated protein kinase,p?AMPKα）的蛋白表达水平;以real?time PCR法检测过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体γ共激活因子1α（ peroxisome?proliferator?activated receptorγcoactiva?tor?1α,PGC?1α） mRNA表达水平。结果牛蒡子苷浓度为1000 g／L 时,可增加 L6骨骼肌细胞的葡萄糖消耗,差异显著（ P＜0．01）;与对照组相比,牛蒡子苷呈浓度依赖性的增强L6骨骼肌细胞中p?AMPKα蛋白表达水平;并以相同的趋势增强PGC?1α mRNA表达水平。结论牛蒡子苷增加L6骨骼肌细胞的葡萄糖消耗,并激活AMPK／PGC?1α信号通路,具有潜在的改善胰岛素抵抗的作用。     

Exercising with blocked muscle glycogenolysis: Adaptation in the McArdle mouse

Background

McArdle disease (glycogen storage disease type V) is an inborn error of skeletal muscle metabolism, which affects glycogen phosphorylase (myophosphorylase) activity leading to an inability to break down glycogen. Patients with McArdle disease are exercise intolerant, as muscle glycogen-derived glucose is unavailable during exercise. Metabolic adaptation to blocked muscle glycogenolysis occurs at rest in the McArdle mouse model, but only in highly glycolytic muscle. However, it is unknown what compensatory metabolic adaptations occur during exercise in McArdle disease.