• BMB Reports
• /
• v.54 no.9
• /
• pp.451-457
• /
• 2021

Over the last decades, research has focused on the role of pleckstrin homology (PH) domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatases (PHLPPs) in regulating cellular signaling via PI3K/Akt inhibition. The PKB/Akt signaling imbalances are associated with a variety of illnesses, including various types of cancer, inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and diabetes, demonstrating the relevance of PHLPPs in the prevention of diseases. Furthermore, identification of novel substrates of PHLPPs unveils their role as a critical mediator in various cellular processes. Recently, researchers have explored the increasing complexity of signaling networks involving PHLPPs whereby relevant information of PHLPPs in metabolic diseases was obtained. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of PHLPPs on the well-known substrates and metabolic regulation, especially in liver, pancreatic beta cell, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in relation with the stated diseases. Understanding the context-dependent functions of PHLPPs can lead to a promising treatment strategy for several kinds of metabolic diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2024

As in type 1 diabetes, the loss of pancreatic β-cells leads to insulin deficiency and the subsequent development of hyperglycemia. Exercise has been proposed as a viable remedy for hyperglycemia. Lithium, which has been used as a treatment for bipolar disorder, has also been shown to improve glucose homeostasis under the conditions of obesity and type 2 diabetes by enhancing the effects of exercise on the skeletal muscles. In this study, we demonstrated that unlike in obesity and type 2 diabetic conditions, under the condition of insulin-deficient type 1 diabetes, lithium administration attenuated pancreatic a-cell mass without altering insulin-secreting β-cell mass, implying a selective impact on glucagon production. Additionally, we also documented that lithium downregulated the hepatic gluconeogenic program by decreasing G6Pase protein levels and upregulating AMPK activity. These findings suggest that lithium's effect on glucose metabolism in type 1 diabetes is mediated through a different mechanism than those associated with exercise-induced metabolic changes in the muscle. Therefore, our research presents the novel therapeutic potential of lithium in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, which can be utilized along with insulin and independently of exercise.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.96-105
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) and fermented AC (fAC) on microorganisms and efficacies. Methods: AC was fermented for four weeks without using any bacterial strains. Then we investigated fermentation characteristics including potential of hydrogen (pH), total sugar, microbial profiling and antioxidant compound contents such as total polyphenol and total flavonoid. The anti-obesity effects of AC and fAC were evaluated by using Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Also anti-diabetic effects of them were evaluated by using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in C2C12 skeletal muscle cell. Results: Both pH and total sugar of fAC were decreased significantly compared to unfermented AC. And the abundance of total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria increased during fermentation, especially Lactobacillus plantarum. Also fermentation of AC increased the content of total polyphenol. On the metabolic aspects, we found that AC and fAC suppressed fat accumulation. Conclusions: After four weeks of fermentation, AC increased concentrations of active compounds, altered microbial composition, and inhibited fat accumulation such as triglyceride. These results indicate that fermentation of AC might be a beneficial therapeutic approach for obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.116-124
• /
• 2013

The aim was to examine resistance exercise-related genes after 8 weeks of resistance training. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: 4 weeks sedentary (4 wks CON, n=8), 8 weeks sedentary (8 wks CON, n=8), 4 weeks exercise training (4 wks REG, n=8), and 8 weeks exercise training (8 wks REG, n=8). The rats were trained to climb a 1-m vertical incline (85-degree), with weights secured to their tails. They climbed 10 times, 3 days per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Skeletal muscle was taken from the flexor halucis longus after the exercise training. After separating the total RNA, large-scale gene expression was investigated by beadarray (Illumina RatRef-12 Expression BeadChip) analysis, and qPCR was used to inspect the beadarray data and to analyze the RNA quantitatively. The detection p-value for the genes was p<0.01, the M-value {M=$log_2$(condition)-$log_2$(reference)} was >1.0, and the DiffScore was >20. In total, the expression of 30 genes significantly increased 4 weeks after the exercise training, and the expression of six genes decreased. At 8 weeks, the expression of five genes significantly increased and that of 12 decreased. Several genes are potentially involved in resistance exercise and muscle hypertrophy, including 1) regulation of cell growth (IGFBP1, PLA2G2A, OKL38); 2) myogenesis (CSRP3); 3) tissue regeneration and muscle development (MUSTN1, MYBPH); 4) hypertrophy (CYR61, ATF3, NR4A3); and 5) glucose metabolism (G6PC, PCK1). These results may help to explain previously reported physiological changes of the skeletal muscle and suggest new avenues for further investigation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.671-678
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Venous malformation(VM) which often causes pain and discomfort is the most common type of vascular malformations. Although it is presented with disfigured appearance and associated soft tissue or skeletal hypertrophy, the molecular bases of VMs are poorly understood. Differentially expressed genes(DEGs) of VMs were investigated to illuminate the molecular mechanism of the disease entity. Methods: Gene expressions of VM patients' subcutaneous tissue were studied in comparison with normal persons' by $GeneFishing^{TM}$ technique using the annealing control primers (ACPs) to identify DEGs. Candidate genes were sequenced and screened by basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) afterwards. Results: Among seventy DEGs identified, forty DEGs which had shown significantly different expression pattern were sequenced. Twenty eight out of 40 were up-regulated while 12 were down-regulated. BLAST searches revealed that 37 were known genes and 3 were unknown genes. Many genes were involved in the differentiation and remodeling of smooth muscle cells, opposed to the previous hypothesis that a lot of angiogenetic genes would be involved. Furthermore, several transcription factors and related genes, as well as cell signaling and metabolism regulators, were up regulated. Conclusion: It suggests that analysis of DEGs in VMs provide basic knowledge about its pathophysiology. and new therapeutic approaches.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.768-774
• /
• 2007

To study the effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enrichment on the expression of hepatic genes in pigs, weaned, crossbred pigs (30 d old) were fed diets supplemented with either 2% tallow or DHA oil for 18 d. Hepatic mRNA was extracted. Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to explore the hepatic genes that were specifically regulated by dietary DHA enrichment. After subtraction, we observed 288 cDNA fragments differentially expressed in livers from pigs fed either 2% DHA oil or 2% tallow for 18 d. After differential screening, 7 genes were found to be differentially expressed. Serum amyloid A protein 2 (SAA2) was further investigated because of its role in lipid metabolism. Northern analysis indicated that hepatic SAA2 was upregulated by dietary DHA enrichment (p<0.05). In a second experiment, feeding 10% DHA oil for 2d significantly increased the expression of SAA2 (compared to the 10% tallow group; p<0.05). The porcine SAA2 full length cDNA sequence was cloned and the sequence was compared to the human and mouse sequences. The homology of the SAA2 amino acid sequence between pig and human was 73% and between pig and mouse was 62%. There was a considerable difference in SAA2 sequences among these species. Of particular note was a deletion of 8 amino acids, in the pig compared to the human. This fragment is a specific characteristic for the SAA subtype that involved in acute inflammation reaction. Similar to human and mouse, porcine SAA2 was highly expressed in the liver of pigs. It was not detectable in the skeletal muscle, heart muscle, spleen, kidney, lung, and adipose tissue. These data suggest that SAA2 may be involved in mediation of the function of dietary DHA in the liver of the pig, however, the mechanism is not yet clear.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2018

To confirm the function of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH), its metabolism was studied by activity, kinetics, and isozyme analysis in tissues of Ldh testis-specific C expressing mice (Mus musculus) maintained in a state of starvation for 48 hr and 96 hr. In skeletal muscle, liver, and eye tissues, LDH and LDH $A_4$ activity increased and anaerobic metabolism predominated. While LDH activity in the heart and kidney tissues decreased, LDH $B_4$ activity increased and aerobic metabolism predominated, producing pyruvic acid. In the testis tissue, LDH $C_4$ activity decreased. In the brain tissue, LDH activity increased, but the isozyme change was small and the amount of pyruvic acid decreased. $K{_m}^{PYR}$ increased in tissues other than kidney tissue, and the affinity for pyruvic acid decreased. Consequently, in Ldh-A and B-expressing tissues, the activities of isozymes with higher concentrations increased. However, in Ldh-A, B, and C-expressing tissue, $C_4$ decreased and the function of the tissue also decreased. In particular, LDH in brain tissue played a role as a pyruvate reductase. Therefore, this process might be the mechanism for producing energy in the state of starvation.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.108-117
• /
• 2020

This study aims to provide basic data for maintaining and promoting health of obese middle-aged women who are interested in various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease by comparing and analyzing the effect on body composition and lipid metabolism through a 12-week Pilates mat exercise program for obese middle-aged women. This study targeted middle-aged women residing in Gyeonggi-do A, who are obese middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s with a body fat ratio of 30% or more, and had no regular exercise in the past three months. Obese middle-aged women(n=19) were divided into two groups, the Pilates mat exercise program group(n=9) and the control group(n=10), conducting exercise for 60 minutes three times a week for 12 weeks. As a result of analysis, the exercise group had a positive effect on body weight, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, body fat percentage, and BMI in body composition, but not in the control group. In the lipid metabolism, the exercise group had a positive effect on TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and FFA, but not in the control group. These results suggest that the 12-week Pilates mat exercise program conducted in this study is an exercise program that can prevent cardiovascular and chronic diseases in obese middle-aged women.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.155-163
• /
• 2016

Metabolism of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) was studied to identify the function of LDH-C. Tissues of LDH liver-specific Ldh-C expressed Carassius auratus and eye-specific Ldh-C expressed Lepomis macrochirus after starvation were studied. LDH activity in liver tissue from C. auratus was increased after starvation. And LDH specific activity (units/mg) and LDH/CS were increased in tissues. It means the anaerobic metabolism was taking place in C. auratus after starvation. LDH B₄ isozyme was decreased in skeletal muscle and increased in heart tissue. LDH C₄ isozymes those showed in eye and brain tissues were identified as liver-specific C₄ isozymes and disappeared after starvation. And C hybrid in eye, A₄ isozyme in brain, and both C hybrid and C₄ isozyme in liver tissue were increased, respectively. In L. macrochirus, the level of variation of LDH activities was low but greatly increased especially in eye tissue and LDH A₄ and AC hybrid were increased in brain tissue. The LDH activities in tissues from C. auratus and L. macrochirus remained 30.30-18.64% and 25-18.75%, respectively, as a result of the inhibition by 10 mM of pyruvate. The Km^PYR values of LDH in C. auratus were increased. As a result, LDH liver-specific C₄ isozyme was expressed in liver, brain and eye tissues during starvation. It seems metabolism of lactate was predominant in brain tissue. After starvation, the liver-specific LDH-C was affected more than eye-specific LDH-C.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1190-1197
• /
• 2017

Objective: Adipose tissue is no longer considered as an inert storage organ for lipid, but instead is thought to play an active role in regulating insulin effects via secretion adipokines. However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the effects of adipokines. In this study, we investigated the role of adipokines in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in obese Bama mini-pigs. Methods: An obesity model was established in Bama mini-pigs, by feeding with high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 30 weeks. Plasma glucose and blood biochemistry levels were measured, and intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed. Adipokines, including adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), resistin and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and glucose-induced insulin secretion were also examined by radioimmunoassay. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in skeletal muscle, which is a useful insulin resistance marker, was examined by immunoblotting. Additionally, associations of AMPK phosphorylation with plasma adipokines and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were assessed by Pearce's correlation analysis. Results: Obese pigs showed hyperglycemia, high triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Adiponectin levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and IL-6 amounts dramatically increased (p<0.05) in obese pigs both in serum and adipose tissue, corroborating data from obese mice and humans. However, circulating resistin and $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed no difference, while the values of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in adipose tissue were significantly higher in obese pigs, also in agreement with data from obese humans but not rodent models. Moreover, strong associations of skeletal muscle AMPK phosphorylation with plasma adiponectin and HOMA-IR index were obtained. Conclusion: AMPK impairment induced by adiponectin decrease mediates insulin resistance in high-fat and high-sucrose diet induction. In addition, Bama mini-pig has the possibility of a conformable model for human metabolic diseases.