Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011849 (diabetes)
277,896 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC 4.1.1.32) is the rate-controlling enzyme in gluconeogenesis. In diabetic individuals, altered rates of gluconeogenesis are responsible for increased hepatic glucose output and sustained hyperglycemia. Liver-specific inhibition of PEPCK has not been assessed to date as a treatment for diabetes. We have designed a therapeutic, vector-based RNAi approach to induce posttranscriptional gene silencing of hepatic PEPCK using nonviral gene delivery. A transient reduction of PEPCK enzymatic activity (7.6 +/- 0.6 vs 9.7 +/- 1.1 mU/mg, P < 0.05) that correlated with decreased protein content of up to 50% was achieved using this strategy in diabetic mice. PEPCK partial silencing was sufficient to demonstrate lowered blood glucose (218 +/- 26 vs 364 +/- 33 mg/dl, P < 0.001) and improved glucose tolerance together with decreased circulating FFA (0.89 +/- 0.10 vs 1.44 +/- 0.11 mEq/dl, P < 0.001) and TAG (65 +/- 11 vs 102 +/- 16 mg/dl, P < 0.01), in the absence of liver steatosis or lactic acidosis. SREBP1c was down-regulated in PEPCK-silenced animals, suggesting a role for this pathway in the alterations of lipid metabolism. These data reinforce the significance of PEPCK in sustaining diabetes-induced hyperglycemia and validate liver-specific intervention at the level of PEPCK for diabetes gene therapy.
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PMID:Overcoming diabetes-induced hyperglycemia through inhibition of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) with RNAi. 1627 15

We and others have previously shown that triple knockout mice lacking the beta1/beta2/beta3-adrenoceptors (beta-less mice) developed a progressive obesity at adulthood. Here, we studied the glucose homeostasis in beta-less mice before the onset of obesity. We show that beta-less mice have increased fat mass and are glucose intolerant. In addition, we observed that beta-less mice have impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion and exhibit an increase in liver PEPCK gene expression in the fed state, suggesting that they have increased gluconeogenesis. Although these characteristics are usually associated with insulin resistance, beta-less mice exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity during insulin tolerance tests. This is keeping with the results obtained during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps showing that beta-less mice display increased insulin responsiveness with normal suppression of hepatic glucose production. Altogether, our results suggest that an intact beta-adrenergic system is required to regulate overall glucose homeostasis and, in particular, insulin-mediated glucose uptake, most likely at the level of muscles and adipose tissue.
Diabetes 2005 Dec
PMID:The lack of beta-adrenoceptors results in enhanced insulin sensitivity in mice exhibiting increased adiposity and glucose intolerance. 1630 66

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a member of the nuclear receptor of ligand-activated transcription factors, regulates the expression of key genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism or adipocyte differentiation. Ligands for this receptor have emerged as potent insulin sensitizers used in the treatment of Type2 diabetes. Ginseng saponins or ginsenosides are reported to provide anti-diabetic activity as well as to modulate glucose metabolism, although the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of ginsenosides on activation of PPARgamma and adipogenes in 3T3-L1. Using a GAL-4/PPARgamma transactivation assay, 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT), one of the ginsenoside metabolites, was found to increase PPARgamma-transactivation activity dose-dependently with similar activity as troglitazone, a well-known PPARgamma agonist. PPT enhanced adipogenesis by increasing the expression of PPARgamma target genes such as aP2, LPL and PEPCK. Furthermore, PPT significantly increased expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). These results indicate that PPT can be developed as a PPARgamma agonist for the improvement of insulin resistance associated with diabetes.
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PMID:Ginsenoside 20S-protopanaxatriol (PPT) activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 1639 21

Heterozygous mutations in the transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1alpha and -1beta result in MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of the young). Despite structural similarity between HNF-1alpha and -1beta, HNF-1beta mutation carriers have hyperinsulinemia, whereas HNF-1alpha mutation carriers have normal or reduced insulin concentrations. We examined whether HNF-1beta mutation carriers are insulin resistant. The endogenous glucose production rate and rate of glucose uptake were measured with a two-step, low-dose (0.3 mU . kg(-1) . min(-1)) and high-dose (1.5 mU . kg(-1) . min(-1)) hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, with an infusion of [6,6-(2)H(2)]glucose, in six subjects with HNF-1alpha mutations, six subjects with HNF-1beta mutations, and six control subjects, matched for age, sex, and BMI. Endogenous glucose production rate was not suppressed by low-dose insulin in HNF-1beta subjects but was suppressed by 89% in HNF-1alpha subjects (P = 0.004) and 80% in control subjects (P < 0.001). Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and suppression of lipolysis were similar in all groups at low- and high-dose insulin. Subjects with HNF-1beta mutations have reduced insulin sensitivity of endogenous glucose production but normal peripheral insulin sensitivity. This is likely to reflect reduced action of HNF-1beta in the liver and possibly the kidney. This may be mediated through regulation by HNF-1beta of the key gluconeogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase or PEPCK.
Diabetes 2006 Feb
PMID:Contrasting insulin sensitivity of endogenous glucose production rate in subjects with hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta and -1alpha mutations. 1644 74

To elucidate the role of AMPK in hepatic glucose metabolism, dominant negative (DN), constitutively active (CA) forms of the AMPKalpha1 subunit and control vector LacZ were overexpressed by means of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. Five days after virus injection, hepatic AMPK activity was five-fold higher in CA mice than in DN mice. DN mice were apparently glucose intolerant with a higher fasting plasma glucose level (DN 82.3+/-0.7mg/dl, CA 42.5+/-4.8mg/dl and LacZ 54.3+/-2.4mg/dl). PEPCK, a gluconeogenic key enzyme, mRNA was increased 131.54% and 48.92% in DN mice compared to that of CA and LacZ, respectively. Thus, hepatic AMPK activation plays a role in the suppression of gluconeogenesis and this might be the cause of decreased fasting plasma glucose level in CA mice. We also investigated the effects of dexamethasone on hepatic AMPK expression and activity in rat liver, mice liver, as well as primary cultured hepatocytes. Subcutaneously injecting mice with dexamethasone (1mg/day) for 5 days significantly upregulated hepatic AMPKalpha1 and alpha2 expressions. Similarly, the treatment of primary cultured rat hepatocytes with dexamethasone (1microM) increased expression of the AMPKalpha1 subunit, AICAR-induced AMPK phosphorylation and kinase activity. Although increased AMPK expression cannot be attributed to dexamethasone-induced glucose intolerance, taken together our results raise the possibility that AMPK control liver glucose output and its expression in liver might be modulated by various hormones and growth factors.
Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2006 Aug
PMID:Role of hepatic AMPK activation in glucose metabolism and dexamethasone-induced regulation of AMPK expression. 1650 64

To better understand the insulin-independent plasma glucose-lowering action of metformin, we used streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats to investigate the possible mechanisms. Oral intake of metformin decreased the plasma glucose of STZ-induced diabetic rats with a parallel increase of plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BER). Mediation of opioid mu-receptors in the action of metformin was identified by the blockade of receptors with antagonist in STZ-induced diabetic rats and the failure of action in opioid mu-receptor knockout diabetic mice. Release of BER from adrenal glands by metformin was characterized, using bilateral adrenalectomy and the release of BER from isolated adrenal medulla of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Repeated treatment with metformin in STZ-induced diabetic rats increased the mRNA and protein levels of GLUT-4 in soleus muscle that was blocked by naloxonazine. Reduction of the mRNA or protein levels of hepatic PEPCK was also impeded in the same group of STZ-induced diabetic rats. In conclusion, our results provide novel mechanisms for the plasma glucose-lowering action of metformin, via an increase of beta-endorphin secretion from adrenal glands to stimulate opioid mu-receptor linkage, leading to an increase of GLUT-4 gene expression and an attenuation of hepatic PEPCK gene expression in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Diabetes 2006 Mar
PMID:Novel mechanism for plasma glucose-lowering action of metformin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. 1650 49

Fasting hyperglycemia, a prominent finding in diabetes, is primarily due to increased gluconeogenesis. The transcription factor Foxo1 links insulin signaling to decreased transcription of PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and provides a possible therapeutic target in insulin-resistant states. Synthetic, optimized antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) specifically inhibit Foxo1 expression. Here we show the effect of such therapy on insulin resistance in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). Reducing Foxo1 mRNA expression with ASO therapy in mouse hepatocytes decreased levels of Foxo1 protein and mRNA expression of PEPCK by 48 +/- 4% and G6Pase by 64 +/- 3%. In mice with DIO and insulin resistance, Foxo1 ASO therapy lowered plasma glucose concentration and the rate of basal endogenous glucose production. In addition, Foxo1 ASO therapy lowered both hepatic triglyceride and diacylglycerol content and improved hepatic insulin sensitivity. Foxo1 ASO also improved adipocyte insulin action. At a tissue-specific level, this manifested as improved insulin-mediated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and suppression of lipolysis. On a whole-body level, the result was improved glucose tolerance after an intraperitoneal glucose load and increased insulin-stimulated whole-body glucose disposal during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. In conclusion, Foxo1 ASO therapy improved both hepatic insulin and peripheral insulin action. Foxo1 is a potential therapeutic target for improving insulin resistance.
Diabetes 2006 Jul
PMID:Targeting foxo1 in mice using antisense oligonucleotide improves hepatic and peripheral insulin action. 1680 74

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activate Receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. The three PPARs (alpha, beta/delta, and gamma) are distributed differently in the different organs. PPARalpha is most common in the liver, but also found in kidney, gut, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, while PPARbeta/delta, is fairly ubiquitous; it may be found in body tissues and brain (for myelination process and lipid metabolism in the brain). PPARgamma has 3 isoforms, such as PPARgamma 1, PPARgamma 2, and PPARgamma 3. The syndrome-X was firstly coined by Reaven in 1988 and then to be provided in 1999 by the name : the metabolic syndrome-X. This metabolic syndrome represents a "Cluster" of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors which has been collected and summarized by the author and such a cluster includes: insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, central obesity, glucose intolerance/DM, atherogenic dyslipidemia (increase TG, decrease HDL-cholesterol, increase Apo-B, increase small dense LDL), hypertension, prothrombotic state (increase PAI-1, increase F-VII, increase fibrinogen, increase vWF, increase adhesion molecules), endothelial dysfunction, hyperuricemia, and increased hsC-RP and cytokines. The metabolic syndrome-X may lead to the development of T2DM and coronary heart disease (CHD); insulin resistance plays pivotal roles in the progression of such a syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Improvement of Insulin Resistance, therefore, is most likely to reduce the high cardiovascular event rate in T2DM. It has been generally accepted that Insulin Resistance (detected by HOMA-R) and Acute Insulin Response = AIR (by HOMA-B) are both usually present in T2DM. The Thiazolidinedions (TZDs) are Insulin Sensitizers (e.g Rosiglitazone = ROS, Pioglitazone = PIO) introduced into clinical practice in 1997; clinical evidence data showed that TZDs improved both HOMA-R, and HOMA-B. PPARgamma can be activated by TZDs and it appears to be fundamental to the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus i.e increase GLUT-4, increase glucokinase, decrease PEPCK, increase GLUT-4, and decreases production by fat cell of several mediators that may cause insulin resistance, such as TNFalpha and resistin. PPARgamma also mediates increased production of Adiponectin and the insulin signaling intermediate PI3K, and both actions lead to increase insulin sensitivity. A "dual PPARgamma-PPARalpha agonists" (e.g PIO, but ROS poorly activate PPARalpha) might lower glucose and modulate lipids. Thus, PIO, as a stronger "dual PPARgamma-PPARalpha agonists", shows an important therapeutic pathway in diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, even in metabolic syndrome. Current evidence suggests a close relationship between activation of PPARgamma and restoration of insulin sensitivity by reductions in TNFalpha and FFAs, and the enhancement of insulin stimulation of PI3-K Pathway and also increase adiponectin & decrease resistin.
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PMID:New approach in the treatment of T2DM and metabolic syndrome (focus on a novel insulin sensitizer). 1711 68

Although selenium is taken with diet mainly as selenoamino acids, its hypoglycaemic action on hepatic gluconeogenesis has been studied with the use of inorganic selenium derivatives. The aim of the present investigation was to compare relative efficacies of inorganic and organic selenium compounds in reducing glucose synthesis in hepatocytes and renal tubules, significantly contributing to the glucose homeostasis. In contrast to hepatocytes, both selenite and methylselenocysteine inhibited renal gluconeogenesis by about 40-45% in control rabbits. Selenate did not affect this process, whereas selenomethionine inhibited gluconeogenesis by about 20% in both hepatocytes and renal tubules. In contrast to methylselenocysteine, selenite decreased intracellular ATP content, glutathione reduced/glutathione oxidized (GSH/GSSG) ratio and pyruvate carboxylase, PEPCK and FBPase activities, while methylselenocysteine diminished PEPCK activity due to elevation of intracellular 2-oxoglutarate and GSSG, inhibitors of this enzyme. Experiments in vivo indicate that in 3 of 9 alloxan-diabetic rabbits treated for 14 days with methylselenocysteine (0.182mg/kg body weight) blood glucose level was normalized, whereas in all diabetic rabbits plasma creatinine and urea levels decreased from 2.52+/-0.18 and 87.4+/-9.7 down to 1.63+/-0.11 and 39.0+/-2.8, respectively. In view of these data selenium supplementation might be beneficial for protection against diabetes-induced nephrotoxicity despite selenium accumulation in kidneys and liver.
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PMID:Differential effects of selenium compounds on glucose synthesis in rabbit kidney-cortex tubules and hepatocytes. In vitro and in vivo studies. 1722 10

Recent studies have suggested that n-3 fatty acids, abundant in fish oil, protect against high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha activation and a subsequent decrease in intracellular lipid abundance. To directly test this hypothesis, we fed PPAR-alpha null and wild-type mice for 2 weeks with isocaloric high-fat diets containing 27% fat from either safflower oil or safflower oil with an 8% fish oil replacement (fish oil diet). In both genotypes the safflower oil diet blunted insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production (P < 0.02 vs. genotype control) and PEPCK gene expression. Feeding wild-type mice a fish oil diet restored hepatic insulin sensitivity (hepatic glucose production [HGP], P < 0.002 vs. wild-type mice fed safflower oil), whereas in contrast, in PPAR-alpha null mice failed to counteract hepatic insulin resistance (HGP, P = NS vs. PPAR-alpha null safflower oil-fed mice). In PPAR-alpha null mice fed the fish oil diet, safflower oil plus fish oil, hepatic insulin resistance was dissociated from increases in hepatic triacylglycerol and acyl-CoA but accompanied by a more than threefold increase in hepatic diacylglycerol concentration (P < 0.0001 vs. genotype control). These data support the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids protect from high-fat diet-induced hepatic insulin resistance in a PPAR-alpha-and diacylglycerol-dependent manner.
Diabetes 2007 Apr
PMID:n-3 Fatty acids preserve insulin sensitivity in vivo in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha-dependent manner. 1725 Dec 75


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