Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) is a novel glucose-regulated protein that is important for survival of pancreatic beta cells.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study used proteomics and biochemical approaches to identify novel glucose-regulated proteins and to unveil their role in pancreatic beta cell function. Translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) was identified to be one such protein, and further investigations into its function and regulation were carried out. METHODS: Global protein profiling of beta cell homogenates following glucose stimulation was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins were identified by mass spectroscopy analysis. Immunoblotting was used to investigate alterations in TCTP protein levels in response to glucose stimulation or cell stress induced by palmitate. To investigate the biological function of TCTP, immunolocalisation, gene knockdown and overexpression of Tctp (also known as Tpt1) were performed. Apoptosis was measured in Tctp knockdown or Tctp-overexpressing cells. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was carried out in Tctp knockdown cells. RESULTS: TCTP was identified as a novel glucose-regulated protein, the level of which is increased at stimulatory glucose concentration. Glucose also induced TCTP dephosphorylation and its partial translocation to the mitochondria and the nucleus. TCTP protein levels were downregulated in response to cell stress induced by palmitate or thapsigargin treatments. Gene knockdown by small interfering RNA led to increased apoptosis, whereas overproduction of TCTP prevented palmitate-induced cell death. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Regulation of TCTP protein levels by glucose is likely to be an important cyto-protective mechanism for pancreatic beta cells against damage caused by hyperglycaemia. In contrast, high concentration of palmitate causes cell stress, reduction in TCTP levels and consequently reduced cell viability. Our results imply that TCTP levels influence the sensitivity of beta cells to apoptosis.

Contribution of hepatic de novo lipogenesis and reesterification of plasma non esterified fatty acids to plasma triglyceride synthesis during non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently observed in insulin-resistant subjects and can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The abnormalities of lipid metabolism behind this development of excess hepatic TG stores are poorly understood. METHODS: To clarify these mechanisms we measured triglyceride secretion rate and the contributions of hepatic lipogenesis and reesterification of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) to this secretion in healthy subjects and in patients with clear evidence of NAFLD. All subjects were studied in the post-absorptive state. Hepatic lipogenesis was measured with deuterated water. NEFA turnover rate, triglyceride secretion rate and the contribution of NEFA reesterification to this secretion were determined with [1-(13)C] palmitate infusion. RESULTS: NAFLD patients had higher NEFA concentrations (p<0.05) but normal NEFA turnover rates (5.23 +/- 0.80 vs 5.91 +/- 0.97 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1) in control subjects, ns). Despite a trend for higher plasma triglyceride levels in patients (p<0.10), triglyceride turnover rates were not increased (0.11 +/- 0.01 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1) in patients vs 0.14 +/- 0.01 in controls, ns). However the contribution of hepatic lipogenesis to triglyceride secretion was largely increased in patients (14.9 +/- 2.7 vs 4.6 +/- 1.1% p<0.01) while that of NEFA reesterification was reduced (25.1 +/- 2.9 vs 52.8 +/- 6.2% p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Enhanced lipogenesis appears as a major abnormality of hepatic fatty metabolism in subjects with NAFLD. Therapeutic measures aimed at decreasing hepatic lipogenesis would therefore be the most appropriate in order to reduce hepatic TG synthesis and content in such patients.

Hepatic lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis in hyperthyroid patients.

To determine the effect of hyperthyroidism on hepatic lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis we measured these metabolic pathways (deuterated water method) in euthyroid and hyperthyroid subjects investigated in the postabsorptive state. Hyperthyroid patients had increased concentrations of glucose (P < 0.05), insulin (P < 0.05), nonesterified fatty acids (P < 0.01), and triglycerides (P < 0.05) and decreased levels of plasma cholesterol (P < 0.01). The contribution of hepatic lipogenesis to plasma triglycerides was largely increased in hyperthyroid subjects (23.0 +/- 1.8% vs. 7.5 +/- 0.2%; P < 0.001), whereas the fractional synthetic rate of cholesterol was moderately higher (5.0 +/- 0.8% vs. 3.3 +/- 0.2%; P < 0.05). mRNA levels of beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, measured in circulating mononuclear cells, were increased (P < 0.05), whereas those of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and LDL receptor-related protein were unchanged. Sterol responsive element binding protein-1c mRNAs were undetectable in mononuclear cells from both groups of subjects. The large stimulation of hepatic lipogenesis in hyperthyroid patients is probably explained by both a direct action of thyroid hormones and the increase in insulin. It could contribute to their moderate rise in triglycerides levels. The decreased plasma cholesterol level is observed despite an enhanced synthetic rate and is thus related to an increased clearance rate. The lack of increased expression of LDL receptor and LDL receptor-related protein suggests that other receptors are implicated.

Effects of isoenergetic high-carbohydrate compared with high-fat diets on human cholesterol synthesis and expression of key regulatory genes of cholesterol metabolism.

BACKGROUND: High-carbohydrate diets improve plasma cholesterol concentrations but increase triacylglycerol concentrations; the latter effect increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Triacylglycerol concentrations increase only during very-high-carbohydrate diets consisting mainly of simple sugars. OBJECTIVE: We compared the CVD risk profile, cholesterol metabolism, and glucose tolerance of 7 healthy subjects during 2 isoenergetic diets: a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (HF diet) and a moderately high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (HC diet). DESIGN: In a randomized crossover study, we measured the effects of the HF diet [40% carbohydrate and 45% fat (15% saturated, 15% monounsaturated, and 15% polyunsaturated)] and HC diet [55% carbohydrate (mainly complex) and 30% fat (10% saturated, 10% monounsaturated, and 10% polyunsaturated)] (3 wk each) on plasma lipid concentrations, oral glucose tolerance, cholesterol synthesis rate, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) concentrations of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the LDL receptor, and the LDL-receptor-related protein (LRP). RESULTS: Compared with the HF diet, the HC diet lowered total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05 for all) without modifying the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol; triacylglycerol concentrations were unchanged. Lower cholesterol concentrations occurred despite a higher cholesterol synthesis rate (P < 0.05) and higher HMG-CoA reductase mRNA concentrations (P < 0.05). LDL receptor mRNA concentrations were unchanged, LRP mRNA concentrations were lower (P < 0.01), and oral glucose tolerance was better (P < 0.05) with the HC diet. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects of the HC diet on glucose tolerance and plasma cholesterol concentrations without increases in triacylglycerol show that this diet had favorable effects on both insulin sensitivity and the plasma lipid profile.

Study of the regulation by nutrients of the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and obesity in humans and animals.

Dietary digestible carbohydrates are able to modulate lipogenesis, by modifying the expression of genes coding for key lipogenic enzymes, like fatty acid synthase. The overall objective of the Nutrigene project (FAIR-CT97-3011) was to study the efficiency of various carbohydrates to modulate the lipogenic capacity and relevant gene expression in rat and human species (control and obese subjects) and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of lipogenic genes by carbohydrates. Key cellular mediators (namely SREBP-1c and 2, AMP activated protein kinase, cholesterol content) of the regulation of lipogenic gene expression by glucose and/or insulin were identified and constitute new putative targets in the development of plurimetabolic syndrome associated with obesity. In humans, hepatic lipogenesis and triglyceride synthesis, assessed in vivo by the use of stable isotopes, was promoted by a high-carbohydrate diet in non obese subjects, and in non alcoholic steatotic patients, but was not modified in the adipose tissue of obese subjects. Non digestible/fermentable carbohydrates, such as fructans, were shown to decrease hepatic lipogenesis in non obese rats, and to lessen hepatic steatosis and body weight in obese Zucker rats. If confirmed in obese humans, this would allow the development of functional food able to counteract the metabolic disturbances linked to obesity.

In vivo measurement of gluconeogenesis in animals and humans with deuterated water: a simplified method.

The contribution of gluconeogenesis to glucose production can be measured by comparing after ingestion of deuterated water the enrichment in deuterium of the hydrogen bound to carbon 5 of glucose with that of hydrogen bound to carbon 2 or with the deuterium enrichment of plasma water. The method developed by Landau et al. for measuring deuterium enrichment on carbon 5 by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis is tedious and time consuming. We developed a simpler procedure for measuring this deuterium enrichment. Deuterium enrichment on carbons 5 and 6 of glucose is measured using the 1,2-5, 6-diisopropylidene-3-O-acetyl-a-furanosyl derivative. Enrichment in position 6 is measured using the hexamethylenetetramine procedure and subtracted from the enrichment on carbons 5 and 6 to obtain the specific enrichment on carbon 5. We tested first this method in post-absorptive and fasted rats (plasma water enrichment 0.6%) infused simultaneously with [6,6-(2) H(2) ] glucose in order to obtain not only the percent contribution of gluconeogenesis, but also glucose turnover rate and absolute gluconeogenesis flux. In post-absorptive and starved rats gluconeogenesis represented respectively 46.7+/-2.0% and 94.1+/-2.0% of glucose production and a flux of 31.1+/-1.8 and 38.9+/-0.9 micromol/kg/min. The method was then used in humans. The contribution in the post-absorptive state of gluconeogenesis to glucose appearance measured in control and type 2 diabetic subjects (plasma water enrichment 0.23-0.38%) was 40. 7+/-5.0% and 65.7 +/-3.3% (p<0.05) respectively. In conclusion this simplified method appears useful for in vivo studies of gluconeogenesis.

Noninvasive tracing of human liver metabolism: comparison of phenylacetate and apoB-100 to sample glutamine.

The labeling pattern of hepatic glutamine during infusion of [3-13C]lactate provides information on liver intermediary metabolism and allows us to correct apparent gluconeogenic rates for isotopic dilution in the oxaloacetate (OAA) pool. Liver glutamine can be sampled by its conjugation with phenylacetate to form phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN) but also by purifying the glutamine of the apolipoproteinB-100 of very low-density lipoprotein (apoB-100-VLDL). We compared these methods in normal and non-insulin dependent diabetes subjects. We tested also whether apoB-100-VLDL alanine enrichment could solve the problem of dilution of gluconeogenic precursor enrichments between peripheral blood and liver (prehepatic dilution). In both normal and diabetic subjects, the labeling patterns of glutamine obtained from PAGN or apoB-100-VLDL were comparable. Therefore, metabolic fluxes and correction factors for dilution in the OAA pool were also comparable. With both methods, gluconeogenic rates were not increased in diabetic patients. Use of the enrichment of apoB-100-VLDL alanine to correct for prehepatic dilution led to high estimates of gluconeogenesis; it remains uncertain whether this enrichment provides a correct estimate of liver pyruvate enrichment.

Assay of low deuterium enrichment of water by isotopic exchange with [U-13C3]acetone and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A sensitive assay of the 2H-enrichment of water based on the isotopic exchange between the hydrogens of water and of acetone in alkaline medium is described and validated. For low 2H-enrichments (0.008 to 0.5%), the sample is spiked with [U-13C3]acetone and NaOH. After exchange, 2H-enriched [U-13C3]acetone is extracted with chloroform and assayed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. With some instruments, ion-molecule reactions, resulting in increased baseline enrichment, are minimized by lowering the electron ionization energy from the usual 70 to 10 eV. The 2H-enrichment of water is amplified nearly sixfold in the M4/M3 ratio of [U-13C3]acetone. For high 2H-enrichments (0.25 to 100%), the use of unlabeled acetone suffices. After exchange, the mass isotopomer distribution of acetone is analyzed, yielding the 2H-enrichment of water. The assay with [U-13C3]acetone allows measuring the 2H-enrichment of water even in biological samples containing acetone. This technique is more rapid and economical than the classical isotope ratio mass spectrometric assay of the enrichment of hydrogen gas derived from the reduction of water.

Role of human liver lipogenesis and reesterification in triglycerides secretion and in FFA reesterification.

To measure 1) the contribution of hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) reesterification to plasma triglyceride (TG) secretion and 2) the role of oxidation and hepatic and extrahepatic reesterification in FFA utilization, five normal subjects drank deuterate water and were infused (postabsorptive state) with [1-13C]palmitate and [1,2,3-2H5]glycerol. Total lipid oxidation (Lox) was measured by indirect calorimetry. FFA oxidation (2.76 +/- 0.65 mumol.kg.-1.min-1) accounted for 45% of FFA turnover rate (Rt) (1.04 mumol.kg-1.min-1) and 91% of Lox; FFA reesterification was 3.27 +/- 0.54 mumol.kg-1.min-1. Fractional and absolute TG Rt were 0.21 +/- 0.02 h-1 and 0.11 +/- 0.05 mumol.kg-1.min-1. DNL accounted for 3.9 +/- 0.9% of TG secretion, and hepatic FFA reesterification accounted for 49.4 +/- 5.7%; this last process represented a utilization of FFA of 0.16 +/- 0.02 mumol.kg-1.min-1. We conclude that, in the postabsorptive state, 1) DNL and FFA reesterification account for only 50-55% of TG secretion, the remaining presumably being provided by stored lipids or lipoproteins taken up by liver, 2) most reesterification occurs in extrahepatic tissues, and 3) oxidation and reesterification each contribute about one-half to FFA utilization; FFA oxidation accounts for almost all Lox.

Non-invasive tracing of liver intermediary metabolism in normal subjects and in moderately hyperglycaemic NIDDM subjects. Evidence against increased gluconeogenesis and hepatic fatty acid oxidation in NIDDM.

To test whether gluconeogenesis is increased in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients we infused (post-absorptive state) healthy subjects and NIDDM patients with [6,6-2H2]glucose (150 min) and [3-13C]lactate (6 h). Liver glutamine was sampled with phenylacetate and its labelling pattern determined (mass spectrometry) after purification of the glutamine moiety of urinary phenylacetylglutamine. After correction for 13CO2 re-incorporation (control test with NaH13CO3 infusion) this pattern was used to calculate the dilution factor (F) in the hepatic oxaloacetate pool and fluxes through liver Krebs cycle. NIDDM patients had increased lactate turnover rates (16.18+/-0.92 vs 12.14+/-0.60 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), p < 0.01) and a moderate rise in glucose production (EGP) (15.39+/-0.87 vs 12.52+/-0.28 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) , p = 0.047). Uncorrected contributions of gluconeogenesis to EGP were 31+/-3 % (control subjects) and 17+/-2 % (NIDDM patients). F was comparable (1.34+/-0.02 and 1.39 0.09, respectively) and the corrected percent and absolute contributions of gluconeogenesis were not increased in NIDDM (25+/-3 % and 3.8+/-O.5 micromol x kg(1) x min[-1]) compared to control subjects (41+/-3 % and 5.1+/-0.4 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1]). The calculated pyruvate carboxylase over pyruvate dehydrogenase activity ratio was comparable (12.1+/-2.6 vs 11.2+/-1.4). Lastly hepatic fatty oxidation, as estimated by the model, was not increased in NIDDM (1.8+/-0.4 vs 1.6+/-0.1 micromol x kg(-1) x min[-1]). In conclusion, in the patients studied we found no evidence of increased hepatic fatty oxidation, or, despite the increased lactate turnover rate, an increased gluconeogenesis.

Glucose production and gluconeogenesis in postabsorptive and starved normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Using a 3-hour primed-continuous infusion of [3-3H]glucose and [2-13C]glycerol, we measured glucose production, gluconeogenesis from glycerol, and total gluconeogenesis (using mass isotopomer distribution analysis [MIDA] of glucose) in postabsorptive and starved normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In normal rats, 48 hours of starvation increased (P < .01) the percent contribution of both gluconeogenesis from glycerol (from 14.4% +/- 1.8% to 25.5% +/- 4.0%) and total gluconeogenesis (from 52.2% +/- 3.9% to 89.8% +/- 1.3%) to glucose production, but the absolute gluconeogenic fluxes were not modified, since glucose production decreased. Diabetic rats showed increased glucose production in the postabsorptive state; this decreased with starvation and was comparable to the of controls after 48 hours of starvation. Gluconeogenesis was increased in postabsorptive diabetic rats (69.0% +/- 1.3%, P < .05 v controls). Surprisingly, this contribution of gluconeogenesis to glucose production was not found to be increased in 24-hour starved diabetic rats (64.4% +/- 2.4%). These rats had significant liver glycogen stores, but gluconeogenesis was also low (42.8% +/- 2.1%) in 48-hour starved diabetic rats deprived of glycogen stores. Moreover, in 24-hour starved diabetic rats infused with [3-13C]lactate, gluconeogenesis was 100% when determined by comparing circulating glucose and liver pyruvate enrichment, but only 47% +/- 3% when calculated from the MIDA of glucose. Therefore, MIDA is not a valid method to measure gluconeogenesis in starved diabetic rats. This was not explained by differences in the labeling of liver and kidney triose phosphates: functional nephrectomy of starved diabetic rats decreased glucose production, but gluconeogenesis calculated by the MIDA method was only 48% +/- 3.3%. We conclude that (1) diabetic rats have increased glucose production and gluconeogenesis in the postabsorptive state; (2) starvation decreases glucose production and increases the contribution of gluconeogenesis, but MIDA is not an appropriate method in this situation; and (3) the kidneys contribute to glucose production in starved diabetic rats.

In vivo studies of intrahepatic metabolic pathways.

In vivo studies of liver metabolism have long been limited to measurement by the balance technique or isotope dilution method of the amounts of substrates taken up or produced by the liver. New methods, based mainly on the use of stable isotopes, now allow important data to be obtained on intrahepatic metabolic pathways. Nuclear magnetic resonance and chemical biopsy of glucuronic acid by acetaminophen facilitate the study of glycogen metabolism. Chemical biopsies of liver glutamine by phenylacetate and of cytosolic acetylCoA by sulfamethoxazole provide important data respectively on Krebs cycle activity and gluconeogenesis and on lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis. Mass isotopomer distribution analysis of molecules synthesised during infusion of 13C-labelled precursors allows an estimation of in vivo gluconeogenesis as well as cholesterol synthesis and lipogenesis. Finally, these metabolic pathways can be studied through the incorporation of deuterium from deuterated water in glucose, fatty acids and cholesterol. All these non-invasive techniques allow investigations to be undertaken in human beings to study the nutritional and hormonal regulation of liver metabolism in normal subjects and in pathological situations.

Measuring lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis in humans with deuterated water: use of simple gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques.

Lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis can be studied by measuring the incorporation into fatty acids and cholesterol of deuterium from deuterated water. This has been previously achieved in human subjects using low levels of deuterium enrichment in plasma water, and thus in fatty acids and cholesterol. For the measurement of enrichment in lipids, this required the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry, a tedious and time-consuming technique. It is shown that these measurements can be performed using the much simpler gas chromatography/mass spectrometry if higher, but always safe, deuterium enrichments in plasma water are obtained. Normal subjects ingested deuterated water in order to obtain stable enrichment in plasma water of 0.3% during a 60 h period. Enrichment in palmitate of plasma triglycerides (TG) plateaued (0.6-0.76%) whereas plasma cholesterol enrichment increased progressively [0.32 +/- 0.08% (12 h) to 0.78 +/- 0.18% (60 h)]. Endogenous synthesis was estimated to contribute, in post-absorptive subjects, 8-10% of the plasma TG pool and 3-5% of plasma free cholesterol pool. These data agree with results obtained previously using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The present method will be useful for studies of normal and abnormal lipid metabolism in humans.

In vivo measurement of plasma cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis with deuterated water: determination of the average number of deuterium atoms incorporated.

Fractional lipid synthesis can be measured using the incorporation of deuterium from deuterated water. The calculations require knowledge of the maximum incorporation number (N) of deuterium atoms in the molecules synthesized. For both tissue palmitate and cholesterol, N values have been found to be higher during in vivo versus in vitro experiments. We determined the N values to be used for measuring the fractional synthesis of plasma cholesterol and of palmitate triglycerides (TG). Rats were given drinking water enriched (7% to 10%) with deuterated water, and N was determined from the mass isotopomer distributions of plasma cholesterol and plasma TG palmitate and the deuterium enrichment of plasma water. We found N to be 21 for palmitate and 27 for cholesterol. These values agree with those reported for tissue palmitate and cholesterol in vivo, and are higher than values found in vitro. We also found large deuterium enrichments in plasma glucose and in liver lactate and pyruvate. We suggest that, compared with in vitro studies, in vivo metabolism of these compounds leads to an additional pathway of incorporation of deuterium into lipids through deuterium-labeled acetyl coenzyme A (CoA). This could explain why N values are higher in vivo than in vitro.

Assay of the deuterium enrichment of water via acetylene.

A technique is presented for measuring the 2H enrichment of water in biological samples when this enrichment is greater than 0.2%. The sample is reacted with calcium carbide to form acetylene gas, which is determined by gas chromatography electron impact ionization mass spectrometry. Ion-molecule reactions, resulting in proton abstraction, are minimized by lowering the electron ionization energy from the usual 70 eV to 45 eV. This technique is much more rapid and economical than the classical isotope ratio mass spectrometric assay of the enrichment of hydrogen gas derived from reduction of water.

New methods for in vivo studies of hepatic metabolism.

In vivo studies of liver metabolism have been limited for a long time to measurements, by the balance technique or the isotope dilution method, of the amounts of substrates taken up or produced by liver. New methods have been developed that now permit us to obtain important information on intrahepatic metabolic pathways. Nuclear magnetic resonance permits noninvasive studies of liver glycogen synthesis and breakdown. Chemical biopsy of glucuronic acid by acetaminophen also permits the study of glycogen synthesis whereas chemical biopsies of liver glutamine by phenylacetate and of cytosolic acetyl-CoA by sulfamethoxazole give important information concerning, respectively, Krebs cycle activity and glconeogenesis and on lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis. Mass isotopomer distribution analysis of molecules synthesized during the infusion of a deuterium of 13C-labeled precursor permits the estimation of in vivo gluconeogenesis as well as cholesterol synthesis and lipogenesis. Finally, these metabolic pathways can be studied through the incorporation of deuterium from deuterated water in glucose, fatty acids and cholesterol. All these noninvasive techniques will allow investigations to be undertaken in humans, addressing the nutritional and hormonal regulation of liver metabolism in normal subjects and in pathological situations.