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Query: UMLS:C0011849 (diabetes)
 277,896 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Hepatic gluconeogenesis is essential for maintaining blood glucose levels during fasting and is the major contributor to postprandial and fasting hyperglycemia in diabetes. Gluconeogenesis is a classic cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent process initiated by glucagon, which is elevated in the blood during fasting and in diabetes. In this study, we have shown that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) was activated in liver by fasting and in primary hepatocytes by glucagon or forskolin. Fasting plasma glucose levels were reduced upon blockade of p38 with either a chemical inhibitor or small interference RNA in mice. In examining the mechanism, inhibition of p38 suppressed gluconeogenesis in liver, along with expression of key gluconeogenic genes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha and cAMP-response element-binding protein have been shown to be important mediators of hepatic gluconeogenesis. We have shown that inhibition of p38 prevented transcription of the PPARgamma coactivator 1alpha gene as well as phosphorylation of cAMP-response element-binding protein. Together, our results from in vitro and in vivo studies define a model in which cAMP-dependent activation of genes involved in gluconeogenesis is dependent upon the p38 pathway, thus adding a new player to our evolving understanding of this physiology.
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PMID:p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase plays a stimulatory role in hepatic gluconeogenesis. 1627 51

We reported previously that insulin elevated alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) protein levels in primary cultured rat hepatocytes (Kim et al., 2003b). In contrast, glucagon down-regulated alpha- and pi-class GST expression, and mechanistic research implicated cAMP and protein kinase A in this process (Kim et al., 2003b). The present study examines the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of alpha-class GST in response to insulin in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Protein levels of GSTA1/2 and GSTA3/5 and activity of GST toward 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) were increased in an insulin concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] or rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin and ribosomal p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) phosphorylation, or with an adenovirus containing green fluorescent protein and a dominant-negative and kinase-dead Akt, effectively inhibited the insulin-mediated increase in alpha-class GST expression and GST activity toward NBD. In contrast, PD98059 (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone), an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, SP600125 (1,9-pyrazoloanthrone), an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, SB203580 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imadazole], an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, or bisindolylmaleimide, a broad spectrum inhibitor of protein kinase C, did not inhibit the insulin-mediated increase in alpha-class GST protein levels in hepatocytes. These results show that PI3K/Akt/p70S6K signaling is active in the insulin-mediated up-regulation of the antioxidant defense system and that low insulin levels, as encountered in diabetes, potentially increase the susceptibility of hepatocytes to xenobiotic-mediated and/or oxidative stress-mediated damage.
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PMID:Identification of the insulin signaling cascade in the regulation of alpha-class glutathione S-transferase expression in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. 1629 13

Reduction of the beta cell mass is critical in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. The discovery of agents, which induce differentiation of pancreatic progenitors to beta cells, would be useful to develop a new therapeutic approach to treat diabetes. To identify a new agent to stimulate differentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells to beta cells, we screened various compounds using pancreatic AR42J cells, a model of pancreatic progenitor cells. Among various compounds and extracts tested, we found that conophylline, a vinca alkaloid extracted from leaves of a tropical plant Ervatamia microphylla, was effective in converting AR42J into endocrine cells. Conophylline reproduces the differentiation-inducing activity of activin A. Unlike activin A, however, conophylline does not induce apoptosis. To induce differentiation of AR42J cells, conophylline increases the expression of neurogenin-3 by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Conophylline also induces differentiation in cultured pancreatic progenitor cells obtained from fetal and neonatal rats. More importantly, conophylline is effective in reversing hyperglycemia in neonatal streptozotocin-treated rats, and both the insulin content and the beta cell mass are increased by conophylline. Histologically, conophylline increases the numbers of ductal cells positive for pancreatic-duodenal-homeobox protein-1 and islet-like cell clusters. Conophylline and related compounds are useful in inducing differentiation of pancreatic beta cells both in vivo and in vitro.
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PMID:Conophylline: a novel differentiation inducer for pancreatic beta cells. 1633 65

Increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in response to stress stimuli, including hyperglycemia, contributes to diabetic somatic neuropathy. However, effects on autonomic nerve and vascular function have not been determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, LY2161793, on penile neurovascular function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Diabetes duration was 6 weeks and intervention LY2161793 treatment was given for the final 2 weeks. In vitro measurements on phenylephrine-precontracted corpus cavernosum revealed a 32% reduction in maximum nitrergic nerve-mediated relaxation with diabetes that was 74% corrected by LY2161793 treatment. Maximum nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was 42% attenuated by diabetes and 88% restored by LY2161793. Moreover, treatment partially corrected a diabetic deficit in endothelium-independent relaxation to a nitric oxide donor. Thus, p38 MAPK inhibition corrects nitric oxide-dependent indices of diabetic erectile autonomic neuropathy and vasculopathy, a therapeutic approach potentially worthy of consideration for clinical trials.
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PMID:Correction of nitrergic neurovascular dysfunction in diabetic mouse corpus cavernosum by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition. 1635 9

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in the U.S. Recent studies demonstrate that loss of podocytes is an early feature of diabetic nephropathy that predicts its progressive course. Cause and consequences of podocyte loss during early diabetic nephropathy remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that podocyte apoptosis increased sharply with onset of hyperglycemia in Ins2(Akita) (Akita) mice with type 1 diabetes and Lepr(db/db) (db/db) mice with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Podocyte apoptosis coincided with the onset of urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and preceded significant losses of podocytes in Akita (37% reduction) and db/db (27% reduction) mice. Increased extracellular glucose (30 mmol/l) rapidly stimulated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) through NADPH oxidase and mitochondrial pathways and led to activation of proapoptotic p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and caspase 3 and to apoptosis of conditionally immortalized podocytes in vitro. Chronic inhibition of NADPH oxidase prevented podocyte apoptosis and ameliorated podocyte depletion, UAE, and mesangial matrix expansion in db/db mice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate for the first time that glucose-induced ROS production initiates podocyte apoptosis and podocyte depletion in vitro and in vivo and suggest that podocyte apoptosis/depletion represents a novel early pathomechanism(s) leading to diabetic nephropathy in murine type 1 and type 2 diabetic models.
Diabetes 2006 Jan
PMID:Glucose-induced reactive oxygen species cause apoptosis of podocytes and podocyte depletion at the onset of diabetic nephropathy. 1638 Apr 97

Dietary restriction of calories (caloric restriction [CR]) increases longevity in phylogenetically diverse species. CR retards or prevents age-dependent deterioration of tissues and an array of spontaneous and chemically induced diseases associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of CR will help identify novel dietary, pharmacological, and lifestyle strategies for slowing the rate of aging and preventing these diseases as well as identify factors which modulate chemical toxicity. Here, we review the involvement of transcriptional coactivator proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma coactivator 1 (PGC-1) alpha and beta, and regulated nuclear receptors (NR) in mediating the phenotypic changes found in models of longevity which include rodent CR models and mouse mutants in which insulin and/or insulin-like growth factor-I signaling is attenuated. PGC-1alpha is transcriptionally or posttranslationally regulated in mammals by: 1) forkhead box "other" (FoxO) transcription factors through an insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I -dependent pathway, 2) glucagon-stimulated cellular AMP (cAMP) response element binding protein, 3) stress-activated kinase signaling through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and 4) the deacetylase and longevity factor sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). PGC-1alpha and PGC-1beta regulate the ligand-dependent and -independent activation of a large number of NR including PPARalpha and constitutive activated receptor (CAR). These NR regulate genes involved in nutrient and xenobiotic transport and metabolism as well as resistance to stress. CR reverses age-dependent decreases in PGC-1alpha, PPARalpha, and regulated genes. Strategies that target one or multiple PGC-1-regulated NR could be used to mimic the beneficial health effects found in models of longevity.
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PMID:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 in caloric restriction and other models of longevity. 1642 81

Formation of new adipocytes from precursor cells contributes to adipose tissue expansion and obesity. In this study, we asked whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates normal and pathological adipogenesis. In both dietary and genetically (ob/ob) obese mice, adipose tissues displayed a marked decrease in p38MAPK activity compared with the same tissues from lean mice. Furthermore, p38MAPK activity was significantly higher in preadipocytes than in adipocytes, suggesting that p38MAPK activity decreases during adipocyte differentiation. In agreement with an inhibitory role of p38MAPK in this process, we found that in vitro inhibition of p38MAPK, with the specific inhibitor PD169316, increased the expression of adipocyte markers in several cellular models, from embryonic to adult stages. Importantly, the expression of adipocyte markers was higher in p38MAPKalpha knockout cells than in their wild-type counterparts. Phosphorylation of C/EBPbeta, which enhances its transcriptional activity, is increased after p38MAPK inhibition. Finally, either inhibition or disruption of p38MAPK increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma expression and transactivation. Rescue of p38MAPK in knockout cells reduced PPARgamma activity to the low basal level of wild-type cells. We demonstrate here, by using multipronged approaches involving p38 chemical inhibitor and p38MAPKalpha knockout cells, that p38MAPK plays a negative role in adipogenesis via inhibition of C/EBPbeta and PPARgamma transcriptional activities.
Diabetes 2006 Feb
PMID:Inhibition of p38MAPK increases adipogenesis from embryonic to adult stages. 1644 58

Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results from a postbinding defect in signaling. Insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 serine hyperphosphorylation by an unidentified kinase(s) contributes to this defect. We investigated whether insulin resistance is selective, affecting metabolic but not mitogenic pathways, in skeletal muscle as it is in cultured skin fibroblasts in PCOS. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation was increased in skeletal muscle tissue and in cultured myotubes basally and in response to insulin in women with PCOS compared with control women. Mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)1/2 was also activated in PCOS, whereas p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and signaling from the insulin receptor to Grb2 was similar in both groups. The activity of p21Ras was decreased and Raf-1 abundance increased in PCOS, suggesting that altered mitogenic signaling began at this level. MEK1/2 inhibition reduced IRS-1 Ser312 phosphorylation and increased IRS-1 association with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in both groups. We conclude that in PCOS skeletal muscle, 1) mitogenic signaling is enhanced in vivo and in culture, 2) ERK1/2 activation inhibits association of IRS-1 with p85 via IRS-1 Ser312 phosphorylation, and 3) ERK1/2 activation may play a role in normal feedback of insulin signaling and contribute to resistance to insulin's metabolic actions in PCOS.
Diabetes 2006 Mar
PMID:Enhanced mitogenic signaling in skeletal muscle of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. 1650 39

The incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), have been suggested to act as beta-cell growth factors and may therefore be of critical importance for the maintenance of a proper beta-cell mass. We have investigated the molecular mechanism of incretin-induced beta-cell replication in primary monolayer cultures of newborn rat islet cells. GLP-1, GIP and the long-acting GLP-1 derivative, liraglutide, increased beta-cell replication 50-80% at 10-100 nM upon a 24 h stimulus, whereas glucagon at a similar concentration had no significant effect. The stimulatory effect of GLP-1 and GIP was efficiently mimicked by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, at 10 nM (approximately 90% increase) and was additive (approximately 170-250% increase) with the growth response to human growth hormone (hGH), indicating the use of distinct intracellular signalling pathways leading to mitosis by incretins and cytokines, respectively. The response to both GLP-1 and GIP was completely blocked by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89. In addition, the phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059, both inhibited GLP-1- and GIP-stimulated proliferation. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, had no inhibitory effect on either GLP-1 or GIP stimulated proliferation. Cyclin Ds act as molecular switches for the G0/G1-S phase transition in many cell types and we have previously demonstrated hGH-induced cyclin D2 expression in the insulinoma cell line, INS-1. GLP-1 time-dependently induced the cyclin D1 mRNA and protein levels in INS-1E, whereas the cyclin D2 levels were unaffected. However, minor effect of GLP-1 stimulation was observed on the cyclin D3 mRNA levels. Transient transfection of a cyclin D1 promoter-luciferase reporter construct into islet monolayer cells or INS-1 cells revealed approximately a 2-3 fold increase of transcriptional activity in response to GLP-1 and GIP, and a 4-7 fold increase in response to forskolin. However, treatment of either cell type with hGH had no effect on cyclin D1 promoter activity. The stimulation of the cyclin D1 promoter by GLP-1 was inhibited by H89, wortmannin, and PD98059. We conclude that incretin-induced beta-cell replication is dependent on cAMP/PKA, p42 MAPK and PI3K activities, which may involve transcriptional induction of cyclin D1. GLP-1, GIP and liraglutide may have the potential to increase beta-cell replication in humans which would have significant impact on long-term diabetes treatment.
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PMID:Stimulation of pancreatic beta-cell replication by incretins involves transcriptional induction of cyclin D1 via multiple signalling pathways. 1652 28

Free fatty acids (FFA) are considered as a causative link between obesity and diabetes. In various animal models and in humans FFA can stimulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. Although the in vivo role of FFA in hepatic gluconeogenesis has been clearly established, the intracellular role of FFA and related signaling pathway remain unclear in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic gene transcription. In this study, we have identified p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) as a critical signaling component in FFA-induced transcription of key gluconeogenic genes. We show in primary hepatocytes that both mid- and long-chain fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated) could activate p38 and increase levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator alpha (PGC-1alpha) gene transcripts. The FFA-induced expression of PEPCK and PGC-1alpha genes and gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes could be blocked by the inhibition of p38. Furthermore, PGC-1alpha phosphorylation by p38 was necessary for FFA-induced activation of the PEPCK promoter. Additionally, FFA stimulated phosphorylation of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) through p38. The overexpression of the dominant-negative CREB prevented FFA-induced activation of the PEPCK promoter. Finally, we show that FFA activation of p38 requires protein kinase Cdelta. Together, our results indicate that p38 plays a critical role in FFA-induced transcription of gluconeogenic genes, and the known gluconeogenic regulators, PGC-1alpha and CREB, are also integral parts of FFA-stimulated transcription of gluconeogenic genes.
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PMID:p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates free fatty acid-induced gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes. 1680 82


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