The corrective role of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the genes controlling hypothalamus-pituitary-testis-axis in male obesity-associated secondary hypogonadism.

Background: Obesity is one of the most prevalent and perilous health affairs. Male obesity-associated secondary hypogonadism (MOSH) is one of many of its complexities, which is mounting in parallel with the aggravation of obesity. Magnetic nanoparticles seem to be an advanced favorable trend in multiple biomedical fields. Aim: In this study, we explore the therapeutic effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on an obese male rat model with MOSH syndrome, comparing their impacts with a well-known anti-obesity medication (Orlistat). Methods: 42 male albino rats split into 7 equal groups: 1-negative control: nonobese, untreated; 35 rats fed the high fat-high fructose (HFHF) diet for a period of 12 weeks. Obese rats splitted into 6 equal groups; 2-positive control: obese untreated; 3-obese given Orlistat (30 mg/kg); 4-obese given CMC-SPIONs (25 mgFe/kg); 5-obese given CMC-SPIONs (50 mgFe/kg); 6-obese given CMC-SPIONs(25 mgFe/kg) + Orlistat (30 mg/kg), 7-obese given CMC-SPIONs (50 mgFe/kg) + Orlistat (30 mg/kg); all treatments given orally for 4 weeks. During sacrifice, blood serum and sectioned hypothalamic, pituitary, testicular, and adipose tissues were collected for biochemical and biomolecular assessments. Results: The HFHF diet for 12 weeks resulted in a significant upsurge in body weight, body mass index, serum fasting glucose, insulin resistance, TAG, total cholesterol, and LDL-c; HDL-c was dropped. Serum FSH, LH, and testosterone values declined. A significant disorder in expression levels of genes regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular-axis pathway. Hypothalamic GnRH, Kisspeptin-1, Kisspeptin-r1, and Adipo-R1 values declined. GnIH and Leptin-R1 values raised up. Pituitary GnRH-R values declined. Testicular tissue STAR, HSD17B3, and CYP19A1 values declined. Adipose tissue adiponectin declined, while leptin raised up. CMC-SPIONs 25-50 mg could modulate the deranged biochemical parameters and correct the deranged expression levels of all previous genes. Co-treatments revealed highly synergistic effects on all parameters. Overall, CMC-SPIONs have significant efficiency whether alone or with Orlisat in limiting obesity and consequence subfertility. Conclusion: CMC-SPIONs act as an incoming promising contender for obesity and MOSH disorders management, and need more studies on their mechanisms.

Pancreatic lipase and its related proteins: where are we now?

Obesity is a disease of epidemic proportions, with a worrisome upward trend. The high consumption of lipids, a major energy source, leads to obesity because of their high calorific value. Pancreatic lipase (PTL), produced by pancreatic acinar cells, hydrolyzes 50-70% of triacylglycerol (TAG) from food. PTL-related protein 1 (PLRP1) and 2 (PLRP2) are also produced by these cells. In vertebrates, PLRP1 has relatively less lipolytic activity, whereas PLRP2 has an essential role in lipid digestion, especially in infants. In this review, we summarize the structure and function of PTL, PLRP1, and PLRP2, and the metabolic fate of PTL inhibitors. We also discuss the current status of clinical trials on orlistat and its combinations for obesity treatment.

The evaluations of the inhibition of orlistat on Clostridium perfringens sialidase (NanI) activity by in†vitro and in silico approaches.

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a bacterium that causes serious problems in humans and animals such as food poisoning, gas gangrene and infections. C. perfringens has three sialidases (NanH, NanI, NanJ) and inhibition of NanI constitutes an approach in the treatment of C. perfringens since NanI provides the carbohydrate source necessary for the growth of bacteria. In our study, the inhibition effect of some drugs belonging to different drug groups on NanI activity was investigated. Among these drugs, orlistat (0.21±0.05 µM) was determined to have a lower IC50 value than the positive control quercetin (15.58±1.59 µM). It was determined in vitro by spectrofluorometric method. Additionally, NanI molecular docking studies with orlistatand quercetin were performed using iGemdock, DockThor and SwissDock. Orlistat (-93.93, -8.649 and -10.03 kcal/mol, respectively) was found to have a higher binding affinity than quercetin (-92.68, -7.491 and -8.70 kcal/mol, respectively), and the results were in line with in vitro studies. The results may suggest that orlistat is a molecule with drug potential for C. perfringens because it inhibits the drug target NanI, and that the inhibition efficiency can be increased by studies with orlistat derivatives.

Antiobesity Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei Subsp. paracasei, L. casei 431 on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Obesity is currently regarded as a global concern, and the key objectives of the global health strategy include its prevention and control. Probiotic supplementation can help achieve these objectives. This study aimed to assess whether a probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Lactobacillus casei 431 (henceforth, L. casei 431) possesses antiobesogenic properties. High-fat diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with L. casei 431 for 10 weeks, and the outcomes were compared with those of rats treated with the antiobesity medication orlistat. Body weights, epididymal fat, and tissues from mice were assessed. Furthermore, serological and histological analyses were performed. Epididymal fat accumulation was significantly reduced in groups administered L. casei 431 and orlistat. Furthermore, L. casei 431 and orlistat treatments lowered serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and triglyceride (TG) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the liver and epididymal adipose tissues showed that the L. casei 431-treated groups exhibited reduced lipid buildup and adipocyte size. Furthermore, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, adipose TG lipase, and lipoprotein lipase messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were upregulated, leading to lipid oxidation and degradation, in L. casei 431-supplemented groups. Furthermore, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, a major factor in lipolysis, was consistently upregulated at the protein level after L. casei 431 administration. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential of L. casei 431 in alleviating obesity in rats through optimizing lipid metabolism and some related biomarkers.

Artemisia annua L. (Sweet wormwood) leaf extract attenuates high-fat diet-induced testicular dysfunctions and improves spermatogenesis in obese rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artemisia annua L., known as "sweet wormwood," is widely used in Egyptian folk medicine. Egyptians implement the aerial parts in the treatment of respiratory, digestive and sexual dysfunctions. However, the mechanism by which Artemisia annua improves testicular function is still being discovered. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of the crude leaf extract of Artemisia annua (AAE) on a high-fat diet induced testicular dysfunction in rats and compare it with the antilipolytic drug Orlistat. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty adult rats were randomly classified and assigned to four groups. The first group typically consumed a balanced diet and served as a negative control (GP1). A high-fat diet-induced obesity was applied to the other three groups for 12 weeks. A positive control remained on HFD for another 8 weeks, which is GP2. Other groups were administered for 8 consecutive weeks either with Orlistat (50 mg/kg body weight) or AAE (100 mg/kg body weight), which have been defined as GP3 and GP4, respectively. Testosterone (TST), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in the sera of all groups. In addition, the oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers such as protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme-B (CK-MB) were determined. An immunohistochemical stain with the apoptotic marker caspase-3 and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were also investigated. RESULTS: In the testes of the obese group, the results showed hormonal imbalance, an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers and apoptosis. In the group treated with orlistat (GP3), noticeably more perturbations were noted. The obese rats that had been treated with AAE (GP4) showed a significantly reduced level of oxidative stress, hormonal balance restoration and reduced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The crude leaf extract of A. annua is a potential herbal therapeutic for the treatment of obesity-related testicular dysfunction and the restoration of hormonal imbalance in obese rats.

[Effect of PKM2 on Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Myeloma Bone Disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in myeloma bone disease (MBD) and its effect on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of five patients with multiple myeloma (MM) (MM group) and five with iron deficiency anemia (control group) for culture and identification. The expression of PKM2 protein were compared between the two groups. The differences between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs were assessed by using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and oil red O staining, and detecting marker genes of osteogenesis and adipogenesis. The effect of MM cell line (RPMI-8226) and BMSCs co-culture on the expression of PKM2 was explored. Functional analysis was performed to investigate the correlations of PKM2 expression of MM-derived BMSCs with osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation by employing PKM2 activator and inhibitor. The role of orlistat was explored in regulating PKM2 expression, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MM-derived BMSCs. RESULTS: Compared with control, MM-originated BMSCs possessed the ability of increased adipogenic and decreased osteogenic differentiation, and higher level of PKM2 protein. Co-culture of MM cells with BMSCs markedly up-regulated the expression of PKM2 of BMSCs. Up-regulation of PKM2 expression could promote adipogenic differentiation and inhibit osteogenic differentiation of MM-derived BMSCs, while down-regulation of PKM2 showed opposite effect. Orlistat significantly promoted osteogenic differentiation in MM-derived BMSCs via inhibiting the expression of PKM2. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of PKM2 can induce the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in MBD. Orlistat can promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via inhibiting the expression of PKM2, indicating a potential novel agent of anti-MBD therapy.

Lutein ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity, fatty liver, and glucose intolerance in C57BL/6J mice.

Obesity is a multi-factorial metabolic syndrome that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. We recently demonstrated the antiadipogenic efficacy of lutein using a 3 T3-L1 cell culture model. This study aimed to examine the antiobesity efficacy of lutein on high-fat (60% kcal fat) diet-induced C57BL/6J obese mice model. Lutein (300 and 500 µM), Orlistat (30 mg/kg body weight - positive control), and its combination (orlistat, 15 mg/kg body weight+lutein, 300 µM) were administered in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice every other day for 24 weeks. The effect on serum and hepatic lipid parameters was estimated using biochemical assay kits. The adipose tissue expression of adipocyte differentiation markers at gene and protein levels was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that lutein administration and drug significantly reduced epididymal and abdominal adipose tissue weights. Further, lutein reduced the serum cholesterol and LDL-C concentration compared to the HFD group. The HFD-induced elevation in the hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol levels were significantly blocked by lutein and its combination with the drug. Similarly, lutein and its drug combination efficiently lowered the HFD-mediated elevated blood glucose levels. Lutein downregulated the expression of CEBP-α, PPAR-γ, and FAS in the epididymal adipose tissue. Thus, supplementation of lutein may control diet-induced obesity and associated complications in the human population.

Modulation of Milk and Lipid Synthesis and Secretion in a3-Dimensional Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cell Culture Model: Effects of Palmitate and Orlistat.

Human milk synthesis is impacted by maternal diet, serum composition, and substrate uptake and synthesis by mammary epithelial cells (MECs). The milk of obese/high-fat-diet women has an increased fat content, which promote excess infant weight gain and the risk of childhood/adult obesity. Yet, the knowledge of milk synthesis regulation is limited, and there are no established approaches to modulate human milk composition. We established a 3-dimensional mouse MEC primary culture that recreates the milk production pathway and tested the effects of the major saturated fatty acid in human milk (palmitate) and a lipoprotein lipase inhibitor (orlistat) on triglyceride production. Positive immunostaining confirmed the presence of milk protein and intracellular lipid including milk globules in the cytoplasm and extracellular space. The treatment with palmitate activated "milk" production by MECs (ß-casein) and the lipid pathway (as evident by increased protein and mRNA expression). Consistent with these cellular changes, there was increased secretion of milk protein and triglyceride in MEC "milk". The treatment with orlistat suppressed milk triglyceride production. Palmitate increased milk and lipid synthesis, partly via lipoprotein lipase activation. These findings demonstrate the ability to examine MEC pathways of milk production via both protein and mRNA and to modulate select pathways regulating milk composition in MEC culture.

Sperm associated antigen 4 promotes SREBP1-mediated de novo lipogenesis via interaction with lamin A/C and contributes to tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor and its progression is associated with altered lipid metabolism in precancerous lesions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Here, we identified sperm associated antigen 4 (SPAG4), and explored its oncogenic role in HCC progression. Database analysis and immunohistochemistry indicated increased level of SPAG4 in HCC tissues which was of prognostic value. Gain/loss-of-function experiments showed that SPAG4 exerted oncogenic roles in HCC growth both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing revealed activation of a lipogenic state and SREBP1-mediated pathway following SPAG4 overexpression. Mechanistically, the N-terminal region of SPAG4 bound to lamin A/C, which increased SREBP1 expression, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activity. Treatment with orlistat, a lipid synthesis inhibitor, reversed SPAG4-mediated oncogenic effects, and its efficacy varied with SPAG4 level. The effect of orlistat was further amplified when combined with sorafenib in tumor xenograft mouse models. Our study provides evidence that SPAG4 mediates HCC progression by affecting lipid metabolism. Administration of orlistat combined with sorafenib reverses SPAG4-mediated oncogenesis in HCC cells and ectopic xenograft tumors in mice, suggesting that this pathway represents a potential target for HCC treatment.

Crystal structure of pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus lipase complex with the anti-obesity drug orlistat.

Staphylococcus aureus lipase (SAL), a triacylglycerol esterase, is an important virulence factor and may be a therapeutic target for infectious diseases. Herein, we determined the 3D structure of native SAL, the mutated S116A inactive form, and the inhibitor complex using the anti-obesity drug orlistat to aid in drug development. The determined crystal structures showed a typical α/ß hydrolase motif with a dimeric form. Fatty acids bound near the active site in native SAL and inactive S116A mutant structures. We found that orlistat potently inhibits SAL activity, and it covalently bound to the catalytic Ser116 residue. This is the first report detailing orlistat-lipase binding. It provides structure-based information on the production of potent anti-SAL drugs and lipase inhibitors. These results also indicated that orlistat can be repositioned to treat bacterial diseases.

The Antimalarial Natural Product Salinipostin A Identifies Essential α/ß Serine Hydrolases Involved in Lipid Metabolism in P. falciparum Parasites.

Salinipostin A (Sal A) is a potent antiplasmodial marine natural product with an undefined mechanism of action. Using a Sal A-derived activity-based probe, we identify its targets in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. All of the identified proteins contain α/ß serine hydrolase domains and several are essential for parasite growth. One of the essential targets displays a high degree of homology to human monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and is able to process lipid esters including a MAGL acylglyceride substrate. This Sal A target is inhibited by the anti-obesity drug Orlistat, which disrupts lipid metabolism. Resistance selections yielded parasites that showed only minor reductions in sensitivity and that acquired mutations in a PRELI domain-containing protein linked to drug resistance in Toxoplasma gondii. This inability to evolve efficient resistance mechanisms combined with the non-essentiality of human homologs makes the serine hydrolases identified here promising antimalarial targets.

Mycolyltransferase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in covalent complex with tetrahydrolipstatin provides insights into antigen 85 catalysis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85 (Ag85) enzymes catalyze the transfer of mycolic acid (MA) from trehalose monomycolate to produce the mycolyl arabinogalactan (mAG) or trehalose dimycolate (TDM). These lipids define the protective mycomembrane of mycobacteria. The current model of substrate binding within the active sites of Ag85s for the production of TDM is not sterically and geometrically feasible; additionally, this model does not account for the production of mAG. Furthermore, this model does not address how Ag85s limit the hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme intermediate while catalyzing acyl transfer. To inform an updated model, we obtained an Ag85 acyl-enzyme intermediate structure that resembles the mycolated form. Here, we present a 1.45-Å X-ray crystal structure of M. tuberculosis Ag85C covalently modified by tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), an esterase inhibitor that suppresses M. tuberculosis growth and mimics structural attributes of MAs. The mode of covalent inhibition differs from that observed in the reversible inhibition of the human fatty-acid synthase by THL. Similarities between the Ag85-THL structure and previously determined Ag85C structures suggest that the enzyme undergoes structural changes upon acylation, and positioning of the peptidyl arm of THL limits hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme adduct. Molecular dynamics simulations of the modeled mycolated-enzyme form corroborate the structural analysis. From these findings, we propose an alternative arrangement of substrates that rectifies issues with the previous model and suggest a direct role for the ß-hydroxy of MA in the second half-reaction of Ag85 catalysis. This information affords the visualization of a complete mycolyltransferase catalytic cycle.