DHEA and non-alcoholic fat liver disease: increased gene expression of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) / DHEA e doença gordurosa hepática não-alcoólica: aumento na expressão gênica do peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) e ácido graxo sintase (FAS)

Dehydroespiandrosterone (DHEA) is associated with improvements in chronic degenerative diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, it is observed an increase in its concentration in individuals with liver lipid infiltration, but it is not precise if this condition emerges as a cause or a consequence. In this way, we aimed to identify gene expression alterations in lipid and glucose liver metabolism markers, as well as oxidative stress markers. For this purpose, male Wistar rats, 12-14 months old were treated with subcutaneous injections of DHEA (only dose of 10 mg kg-1); and after 7 days, hepatic gene expression by PCR real time were performed for the following genes: G6Pase, PEPCK, FAS, PPARγ, malic enzyme, ChREBP, LXR, catalase, GPx, iNOS, NADPH oxidase subunits and PCNA. We observed a tendency of reduction in G6Pase gene expression in treated group (p = 0.08). In addition, it was identified an increase in liver PPARγ and FAS gene expressions, two markers of increased activity of lipogenic pathway. We also observed an increase in iNOS gene expression, a known inductor of systemic and hepatic insulin resistance. In conclusion, our data indicates that the treatment with DHEA can be associated with the development of liver lipid infiltration and hepatic insulin resistance.

A deidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) encontra-se associada a melhorias em quadros de obesidade, resistência à insulina e doenças cardiovasculares. Porém, observa-se um aumento na sua concentração em indivíduos portadores de infiltração lipídica hepática, mas sem saber precisar se o mesmo surge como causa ou consequência. Assim, objetivamos identificar alterações na expressão gênica hepática de marcadores relacionados ao metabolismo lipídico e glicídico e de estresse oxidativo. Para tanto, ratos machos com 12-14 meses de idade foram tratados com injeção subcutânea de DHEA (dose única 10 mg kg-1), e após 7 dias foram feitas análises da expressão gênica hepática por PCR em tempo real das seguintes proteínas: G6Pase, PEPCK, FAS, PPARγ, enzima málica, ChREBP, LXR, catalase, GPx, iNOS, subunidades da NADPHoxidase e PCNA. Observamos uma tendência à redução da expressão gênica da G6Pase no grupo tratado (p = 0,08). Também identificamos um aumento na expressão gênica hepática do PPARγ e FAS, dois indicadores de aumento da atividade das vias de lipogênese. Observamos um aumento na expressão gênica da iNOS, um conhecido agente indutor de resistência insulina sistêmica e hepática. Em conclusão, nossos dados indicam que o tratamento com DHEA pode estar associado com o desenvolvimento de um quadro de infiltração lipídica hepática e resistência à insulina hepática.

Dehydroepiandrosterone protects against oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

Cardiovascular disease is less frequent in premenopausal women than in age-matched men or postmenopausal women. Moreover, the marked age-related decline in serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) level has been associated to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of DHEA treatment on vascular function in ovariectomized rats. At 8 weeks of age, female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham (SHAM) operated and 8 weeks after surgery both groups were treated with vehicle or DHEA (10mg kg⁻¹ week⁻¹) for 3 weeks. Aortic rings were used to evaluate the vasoconstrictor response to phenylephrine (PHE) and the relaxation responses to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Tissue reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and SOD, NADPH oxidase and eNOS protein expression were analysed. PHE-induced contraction was increased in aortic rings from OVX compared to SHAM, associated with a reduction in NO bioavailability. Furthermore, the relaxation induced by ACh was reduced in arteries from OVX, while SNP relaxation did not change. The incubation of aortic rings with SOD or apocynin restored the enhanced PHE-contraction and the impaired ACh-relaxation only in OVX. DHEA treatment corrected the increased PHE contraction and the impaired ACh-induced relaxation observed in OVX by an increment in NO bioavailability and decrease in ROS production. Besides, DHEA treatment restores the reduced Cu/Zn-SOD protein expression and eNOS phosphorylation and the increased NADPH oxidase protein expression in the aorta of OVX rats. The present results suggest an important action of DHEA, improving endothelial function in OVX rats by acting as an antioxidant and enhancing the NO bioavailability.

Alterations of NADPH oxidase activity in rat pancreatic islets induced by a high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD) on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity in rat pancreatic islets. We investigated if changes in NADPH oxidase are connected to beta cell dysfunction reported in obese animals. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed a HFD or control diet for 3 months. DNA fragmentation, insulin secretion, and [U-C]glucose oxidation were examined in isolated pancreatic islets. The oxidative stress markers nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The protein content of gp91 and p47 was evaluated by Western blotting. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by a fluorescence assay using hydroethidine. RESULTS: Occurrence of DNA fragmentation was reduced in pancreatic islets from HFD rats. There were no differences in oxidative stress markers between the groups. Glucose oxidation and insulin secretion were elevated due to high glucose in pancreatic islets from HFD rats. Protein concentrations of p47 and gp91 subunits were reduced and ROS production was diminished in pancreatic islets from HFD rats. CONCLUSIONS: The diminished content of NADPH oxidase subunits and ROS concentrations may be associated with increased glucose oxidation and insulin secretion in an attempt to compensate for the peripheral insulin resistance elicited by the HFD.