High Fat Diet Increases Circulating Endocannabinoids Accompanied by Increased Synthesis Enzymes in Adipose Tissue.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) controls energy balance by regulating both energy intake and energy expenditure. Endocannabinoid levels are elevated in obesity suggesting a potential causal relationship. This study aimed to elucidate the rate of dysregulation of the ECS, and the metabolic organs involved, in diet-induced obesity. Eight groups of age-matched male C57Bl/6J mice were randomized to receive a chow diet (control) or receive a high fat diet (HFD, 45% of calories derived from fat) ranging from 1 day up to 18 weeks before euthanasia. Plasma levels of the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), and related N-acylethanolamines, were quantified by UPLC-MS/MS and gene expression of components of the ECS was determined in liver, muscle, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) during the course of diet-induced obesity development. HFD feeding gradually increased 2-AG (+132% within 4 weeks, P < 0.05), accompanied by upregulated expression of its synthesizing enzymes Daglα and ß in WAT and BAT. HFD also rapidly increased AEA (+81% within 1 week, P < 0.01), accompanied by increased expression of its synthesizing enzyme Nape-pld, specifically in BAT. Interestingly, Nape-pld expression in BAT correlated with plasma AEA levels (R 2 = 0.171, ß = 0.276, P < 0.001). We conclude that a HFD rapidly activates adipose tissue depots to increase the synthesis pathways of endocannabinoids that may aggravate the development of HFD-induced obesity.

Short-term cooling increases serum triglycerides and small high-density lipoprotein levels in humans.

BACKGROUND: Cold exposure and ß3-adrenergic receptor agonism, which both activate brown adipose tissue, markedly influence lipoprotein metabolism by enhancing lipoprotein lipase-mediated catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and increasing plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and functionality in mice. However, the effect of short-term cooling on human lipid and lipoprotein metabolism remained largely elusive. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the effect of short-term cooling on the serum lipoprotein profile and HDL functionality in men. METHODS: Body mass index-matched young, lean men were exposed to a personalized cooling protocol for 2 hours. Before and after cooling, serum samples were collected for analysis of lipids and lipoprotein composition by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance. Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1)-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL was measured using [3H]cholesterol-loaded ABCA1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. RESULTS: Short-term cooling increased serum levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Cooling increased the concentration of large very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles accompanied by increased mean size of VLDL particles. In addition, cooling enhanced the concentration of small LDL and small HDL particles as well as the cholesterol levels within these particles. The increase in small HDL was accompanied by increased ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that short-term cooling increases the concentration of large VLDL particles and increases the generation of small LDL and HDL particles. We interpret that cooling increases VLDL production and turnover, which results in formation of surface remnants that form small HDL particles that attract cellular cholesterol.

The Discovery, Preclinical, and Early Clinical Development of Potent and Selective GPR40 Agonists for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (LY2881835, LY2922083, and LY2922470).

The G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) also known as free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) is highly expressed in pancreatic, islet ß-cells and responds to endogenous fatty acids, resulting in amplification of insulin secretion only in the presence of elevated glucose levels. Hypothesis driven structural modifications to endogenous FFAs, focused on breaking planarity and reducing lipophilicity, led to the identification of spiropiperidine and tetrahydroquinoline acid derivatives as GPR40 agonists with unique pharmacology, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Compounds 1 (LY2881835), 2 (LY2922083), and 3 (LY2922470) demonstrated potent, efficacious, and durable dose-dependent reductions in glucose levels along with significant increases in insulin and GLP-1 secretion during preclinical testing. A clinical study with 3 administered to subjects with T2DM provided proof of concept of 3 as a potential glucose-lowering therapy. This manuscript summarizes the scientific rationale, medicinal chemistry, preclinical, and early development data of this new class of GPR40 agonists.

A potential role for adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) in the regulation of alcohol intake.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been implicated in alcohol and drug addiction. We recently identified the small G protein K-ras as an alcohol-regulated gene in the ACC by gene expression analysis. We show here that the adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) was differentially regulated by alcohol in the ACC in a K-ras-dependent manner. Additionally, withdrawal-associated increased drinking was attenuated in AdipoR2 null mice. Intracellular recordings revealed that adiponectin increased the excitability of ACC neurons and that this effect was more pronounced during alcohol withdrawal, suggesting that AdipoR2 signaling may contribute to increased ACC activity. Altogether, the data implicate K-ras-regulated pathways involving AdipoR2 in the cellular and behavioral actions of alcohol that may contribute to overactivity of the ACC during withdrawal and excessive alcohol drinking.

Therapeutic potential of retinoid x receptor modulators for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.

The increasing prevalence of obesity is a fundamental contributor to the growing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. Rexinoids, a class of compounds that selectively bind and activate RXR, are being studied as a potential option for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. These compounds have glucose-lowering, insulin-sensitizing, and antiobesity effects in animal models of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, undesirable side effects such as hypertriglyceridemia and suppression of the thyroid hormone axis also occur. This review examines and compares the effects of four RXR-selective ligands: LGD1069, LG100268, AGN194204, and LG101506, a selective RXR modulator. Similar to selective modulators of other nuclear receptors such as the estrogen receptor (SERMs), LG101506 binding to RXR selectively maintains the desirable characteristic effects of rexinoids while minimizing the undesirable effects. These recent findings suggest that, with continued research efforts, RXR-specific ligands with improved pharmacological profiles may eventually be available as additional treatment options for the current epidemic of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and all of the associated metabolic sequelae.

Deficiency of adiponectin receptor 2 reduces diet-induced insulin resistance but promotes type 2 diabetes.

Adiponectin/adiponectin receptors (AdipoR) are involved in energy homeostasis and inflammatory pathways. To investigate the role of AdipoR2 in metabolic control, we studied the lipid and glucose metabolic phenotypes in AdipoR2-deficient mice. AdipoR2 deletion diminished high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and insulin resistance yet deteriorated glucose homeostasis as high-fat feeding continued, which resulted from the failure of pancreatic beta-cells to adequately compensate for the moderate insulin resistance. A defect in the AdipoR2 gene may represent a mechanism underlying the etiology of certain subgroups of type 2 diabetic patients who eventually develop overt diabetes, whereas other obese patients do not.

Molecular determinants of FGF-21 activity-synergy and cross-talk with PPARgamma signaling.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 is a novel regulator of insulin-independent glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and has glucose and triglyceride lowering effects in rodent models of diabetes. The precise mechanisms whereby FGF-21 regulates metabolism remain to be determined. Here we describe the early signaling events triggered by FGF-21 treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and reveal a functional interplay between FGF-21 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) pathways that leads to a marked stimulation of glucose transport. While the early actions of FGF-21 on 3T3-L1 adipocytes involve rapid accumulation of intracellular calcium and phosphorylation of Akt, GSK-3, p70(S6K), SHP-2, MEK1/2, and Stat3, continuous treatment for 72 h induces an increase in PPARgamma protein expression. Moreover, chronic activation of the PPARgamma pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with the PPARgamma agonist and anti-diabetic agent, rosiglitazone (BRL 49653), enhances FGF-21 action to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of FGF receptor-2. Strikingly, treatment of cells with FGF-21 and rosiglitazone in combination leads to a pronounced increase in expression of the GLUT1 glucose transporter and a marked synergy in stimulation of glucose transport. Together these results reveal a novel synergy between two regulators of glucose homeostasis, FGF-21 and PPARgamma, and further define FGF-21 mechanism of action.

Biological characterization of a heterodimer-selective retinoid X receptor modulator: potential benefits for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Specific retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists, such as LG100268 (LG268), and the thiazolidinedione (TZD) PPARgamma agonists, such as rosiglitazone, produce insulin sensitization in rodent models of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In sharp contrast to the TZDs that produce significant increases in body weight gain, RXR agonists reduce body weight gain and food consumption. Unfortunately, RXR agonists also suppress the thyroid hormone axis and generally produce hypertriglyceridemia. Heterodimer-selective RXR modulators have been identified that, in rodents, retain the metabolic benefits of RXR agonists with reduced side effects. These modulators bind specifically to RXR with high affinity and are RXR homodimer partial agonists. Although RXR agonists activate many heterodimer partners, these modulators selectively activate RXR:PPARalpha and RXR:PPARgamma, but not RXR:RARalpha, RXR:LXRalpha, RXR:LXRbeta, or RXR:FXRalpha. We report the in vivo characterization of one RXR modulator, LG101506 (LG1506). In Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats, LG1506 is a potent insulin sensitizer that also enhances the insulin-sensitizing activities of rosiglitazone. Administration of LG1506 reduces both body weight gain and food consumption and blocks the TZD-induced weight gain when coadministered with rosiglitazone. LG1506 does not significantly suppress the thyroid hormone axis in rats, nor does it elevate triglycerides in Sprague Dawley rats. However, LG1506 produces a unique pattern of triglycerides elevation in Zucker rats. LG1506 elevates high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in humanized apolipoprotein A-1-transgenic mice. Therefore, selective RXR modulators are a promising approach for developing improved therapies for type 2 diabetes, although additional studies are needed to understand the strain-specific effects on triglycerides.

A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma dual agonist with a unique in vitro profile and potent glucose and lipid effects in rodent models of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.

LSN862 is a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha/gamma dual agonist with a unique in vitro profile that shows improvements on glucose and lipid levels in rodent models of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Data from in vitro binding, cotransfection, and cofactor recruitment assays characterize LSN862 as a high-affinity PPARgamma partial agonist with relatively less but significant PPARalpha agonist activity. Using these same assays, rosiglitazone was characterized as a high-affinity PPARgamma full agonist with no PPARalpha activity. When administered to Zucker diabetic fatty rats, LSN862 displayed significant glucose and triglyceride lowering and a significantly greater increase in adiponectin levels compared with rosiglitazone. Expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways in the liver and in two fat depots from compound-treated Zucker diabetic fatty rats was evaluated. Only LSN862 significantly elevated mRNA levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 and bifunctional enzyme in the liver and lipoprotein lipase in both fat depots. In contrast, both LSN862 and rosiglitazone decreased phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase in the liver and increased malic enzyme mRNA levels in the fat. In addition, LSN862 was examined in a second rodent model of type 2 diabetes, db/db mice. In this study, LSN862 demonstrated statistically better antidiabetic efficacy compared with rosiglitazone with an equivalent side effect profile. LSN862, rosiglitazone, and fenofibrate were each evaluated in the humanized apoA1 transgenic mouse. At the highest dose administered, LSN862 and fenofibrate reduced very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, whereas, rosiglitazone increased very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. LSN862, fenofibrate, and rosiglitazone produced maximal increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 65, 54, and 30%, respectively. These findings show that PPARgamma full agonist activity is not necessary to achieve potent and efficacious insulin-sensitizing benefits and demonstrate the therapeutic advantages of a PPARalpha/gamma dual agonist.

2-Alkoxydihydrocinnamates as PPAR agonists. Activity modulation by the incorporation of phenoxy substituents.

Herein we describe a series of potent and selective PPARgamma agonists with moderate PPARalpha affinity and little to no affinity for other nuclear receptors. In vivo studies in a NIDDM animal model (ZDF rat) showed that these compounds are efficacious at low doses in glucose normalization and plasma triglyceride reduction. Compound 1b (LY519818) was selected from our SAR studies to be advanced to clinical evaluation for the treatment of type II diabetes.

Rosiglitazone induction of Insig-1 in white adipose tissue reveals a novel interplay of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and sterol regulatory element-binding protein in the regulation of adipogenesis.

Insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG-1) is a key regulator in the processing of the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs). We demonstrated that Insig-1 is regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) providing a link between insulin sensitization/glucose homeostasis and lipid homeostasis. Insig-1 was identified as a PPARgamma target gene using microarray analysis of mRNA from the white adipose tissue of diabetic (db/db) animals treated with PPARgamma agonists. Insig-1 was induced in subcutaneous (9-fold) and epididymal (4-fold) fat pads from db/db mice treated for 8 days with the PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone (30 mg/kg/day). This in vivo response was confirmed in differentiated C3H10T1/2 adipocytes treated with rosiglitazone. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating INSIG-1 expression, we cloned and characterized the human INSIG-1 promoter. Co-expression of PPARgamma and RXRalpha transactivated the INSIG-1 promoter in the presence of PPARgamma agonists. This induction was attenuated when a dominant negative PPARgamma construct was transfected into cells. Furthermore, a PPARgamma antagonist repressed the transactivation of the INSIG-1 promoter-reporter construct. Truncations of the promoter resulted in the identification of a PPAR response element that mediated the regulation of the promoter. We demonstrated with recombinant proteins that the PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimer binds directly to this PPAR response element. In addition to regulation by PPARgamma/RXRalpha, we demonstrated that the INSIG-1 promoter is regulated by transcriptionally active SREBP. The sterol response element was identified 380 base pairs upstream of the transcriptional start site. These findings suggest that the regulation of Insig-1 by PPARgamma agonists could in turn regulate SREBP processing and thus couple insulin sensitizers with the regulation of lipid homeostasis.

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of novel RXR-selective modulators.

The synthesis and in vitro characterization of novel RXR-selective ligands possessing various substituted 1-benzofuran or 1-benzothiophene moieties are described.

Design and synthesis of novel RXR-selective modulators with improved pharmacological profile.

New RXR-selective modulators possessing a 6-fluoro trienoic acid moiety (6Z olefin) or a fluorinated/heterocyclic-substituted benzene core ring, were synthesized in an expedient and selective way. A subset of these compounds was evaluated for their metabolic properties (exposure in IRC male mice) and show a dramatic increase of exposure compared to our reference compound, 3 (LG101506).

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of novel 6,7-locked-[7-(2-alkoxy-3,5-dialkylbenzene)-3-methylocta]-2,4,6-trienoic acids.

Retinoid X receptor:peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor (RXR:PPAR) heterodimers play a critical role in the regulation of glucose (RXR/PPARgamma) and lipid metabolism (RXR/PPARalpha). Previously, we described a concise structure-activity relationship study of selective RXR modulators possessing a (2E,4E,6Z)-3-methyl-7-(3,5-dialkyl-6-alkoxyphenyl)-octa-2,4,6-trienoic acid scaffold. These studies were focused on the 2-position alkoxy side chain. We describe here the design and synthesis of a novel series of RXR selective modulators possessing the same aromatic core structure with the addition of a ring locked 6-7-Z-olefin on the trienoic acid moiety. The synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of these 6,7-locked cyclopentenyl, phenyl, thienyl, furan, and pyridine-trienoic acid derivatives is presented herein.