| 11. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Autonomic nervous system activation mediates the increase in whole-body glucose uptake in response to electroacupuncture
- 2017
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Ingår i: Faseb Journal. - : Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 31:8, s. 3288-3297
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A single bout of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) causing muscle contractions increases whole-body glucose uptake in insulin-resistant rats. We explored the underlying mechanism of this finding and whether it can be translated into clinical settings. Changes in glucose infusion rate (GIR) were measured by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp during and after 45 min of low-frequency EA in 21 overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 21 controls matched for age, weight, and body mass index (experiment 1) and in rats receiving autonomic receptor blockers (experiment 2). GIR was higher after EA in controls and women with PCOS. Plasma serotonin levels and homovanillic acid, markers of vagal activity, decreased in both controls and patients with PCOS. Adipose tissue expression of pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) decreased, and the mature NGF/proNGF ratio increased after EA in PCOS, but not in controls, suggesting increased sympathetic-driven adipose tissue metabolism. Administration of alpha-/beta-adrenergic receptor blockers in rats blocked the increase in GIR in response to EA. Muscarinic and dopamine receptor antagonist also blocked the response but with slower onset. In conclusion, a single bout of EA increases whole-body glucose uptake by activation of the sympathetic and partly the parasympathetic nervous systems, which could have important clinical implications for the treatment of insulin resistance.
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| 12. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979
(författare)
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Cytokines in Metabolic Functions
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During infections, circulating cytokines are largely produced by immune cells. In healthy obese individuals, large parts of these circulating cytokines are produced in adipose tissue, for instance by macrophages that have accumulated there. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the role of cytokines, in particular interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1? and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), in the regulation of metabolism and body fat mass. Furthermore, we also wanted to examine the role of the IL-6 signal transducer (IL6ST)/gp130 receptor signalling. We have previously shown that IL-6 depleted (IL-6 -/-) mice develop late-onset obesity and we have now found a similar effect on IL-1 depletion. We have used IL-1 receptor type I depleted (IL-1RI -/-) mice to study the role of endogenous IL-1 on obesity, as measured by DEXA. The obesity in IL-1RI -/- was accompanied by decreased insulin and leptin sensitivity. Spontaneous locomotor activity and fat utilization, as measured in metabolic cages, were decreased in pre-obese IL-1RI -/- animals. At the hypothalamic level, deficiency of endogenous IL-1 activity in knockout mice was associated with enhanced expression of the obesity promoting peptides NPY and MCH, and decreased expression of the obesity suppressing peptide orexin. In IL-6 -/- mice, the expression of corticotrophin releasing hormone, a known stimulator of energy expenditure and the sympathetic nerve system, was decreased, as shown by RT-PCR. Moreover, endogenous IL-6 and IL-1? seemed to affect each others? expression in the hypothalamus. Therefore, IL-6 and IL-1 may interact in the CNS, presumably in the hypothalamus, to suppress fat mass, possibly by increasing energy expenditure and maybe especially fat burning. LIF is a member of the IL-6 receptor family, which shares the IL6ST/gp130, and has been reported to decrease obesity. We found that systemic LIF treatment could reduce white and brown fat depots in ovariectomized mice, suggesting that LIF can reduce obesity independently of estrogen signalling. Obesity and inflammation are key components in the development of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. We identified an association between an IL6ST/gp130 polymorphism in amino acid 148 (Gly/Arg) and risk of myocardial infarction in a hypertensive population. In vitro studies showed decreased proliferation and lower STAT-3 phosphorylation in cells transfected with gp130 148Arg compared to gp130 148Gly. Structural modelling suggested changes in the stability and functional properties of the gp130 148Arg molecule. The present results suggest that the cytokines IL-6, IL-1 and LIF are involved in the regulation of body fat mass and energy expenditure. The effects of IL-6 and IL-1 may be exerted at the CNS level and involve altered expression of hypothalamic peptides regulating fat mass and energy expenditure. This can constitute a possible mechanism contributing to the mature-onset obesity in IL-6 -/- and IL-1RI -/- mice. LIF may suppress obesity via estrogen independent effects in the periphery. In human subjects, the 148th amino acid arginine of the gp130 receptor is associated with decreased risk of myocardial infarction, possibly due to an impaired responsiveness to cytokines in the IL-6 receptor family.
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| 13. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Elevated interlukin-6 levels as a consequence, not the cause of obesity and insulin resistance
- 2013
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Ingår i: Interleukin-6: Genetics, Clinical Applications and Role in Disease. - : Nova Science Publishers, Inc.. - 9781624175923 ; , s. 197-210
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several population-based studies have reported that serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are positively correlated with obesity and insulin resistance. This has lead to the hypothesis of a causal relationship between elevated IL-6 levels and insulin resistance. This notion is further strengthened by the observation that obesity is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue, which is postulated to be causal in the development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. A recent study of weight gain demonstrates however that insulin resistance develops even in the absence of a significant signs of adipose inflammation. This suggests that inflammation in adipose tissue occurs subsequent to peripheral insulin resistance in humans. More and more data also supports the hypothesis that increased adiposity in itself, independent of the increased IL-6 levels, is a predictor of diabetes risk. IL-6 levels tend to also increase with age and since the incidence of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes also increases with age, this could explain some of the observed correlations. Taken together, the above studies provide an association of metabolic disorder with IL-6, but not causation. An emerging concept is that IL-6 appears to have different effects on different tissues, and the effects depend on whether the IL-6 levels are acutely or chronically elevated. Given the opposing views of the impact of IL-6 on glucose homeostasis, many investigations have aimed at clarifying the effects of IL-6 on insulin action. A recent study shows that IL-6, either released from skeletal muscle or adipose tissue, induces GLP-1 release, leading to insulin secretion, improved beta-cell function and glycemic control. Still, the causal relationships between IL-6, obesity and type-2 diabetes remain a matter of debate. This review summarizes the current data on IL-6, supporting an association, but not a causative relationship, between IL-6 and metabolic disturbances. © 2013 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 14. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Enhanced insulin sensitivity and acute regulation of metabolic genes and signaling pathways after a single electrical or manual acupuncture session in female insulin-resistant rats.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Acta Diabetologica. - 0940-5429 .- 1432-5233. ; 51:6, s. 963-972
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: To compare the effect of a single session of acupuncture with either low-frequency electrical or manual stimulation on insulin sensitivity and molecular pathways in the insulin-resistant dihydrotestosterone-induced rat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model. Both stimulations cause activation of afferent nerve fibers. In addition, electrical stimulation causes muscle contractions, enabling us to differentiate changes induced by activation of sensory afferents from contraction-induced changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Control and PCOS rats were divided into no-stimulation, manual-, and electrical stimulation groups and insulin sensitivity was measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Manually stimulated needles were rotated 180° ten times every 5 min, or low-frequency electrical stimulation was applied to evoke muscle twitches for 45 min. Gene and protein expression were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The glucose infusion rate (GIR) was lower in PCOS rats than in controls. Electrical stimulation was superior to manual stimulation during treatment but both methods increased GIR to the same extent in the post-stimulation period. Electrical stimulation decreased mRNA expression of Adipor2, Adrb1, Fndc5, Erk2, and Tfam in soleus muscle and increased ovarian Adrb2 and Pdf. Manual stimulation decreased ovarian mRNA expression of Erk2 and Sdnd. Electrical stimulation increased phosphorylated ERK levels in soleus muscle. CONCLUSIONS: One acupuncture session with electrical stimulation improves insulin sensitivity and modulates skeletal muscle gene and protein expression more than manual stimulation. Although electrical stimulation is superior to manual in enhancing insulin sensitivity during stimulation, they are equally effective after stimulation indicating that it is activation of sensory afferents rather than muscle contraction per se leading to the observed changes.
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| 15. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Interleukin-6 gene knockout influences energy balance regulating peptides in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of neuroendocrinology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2826 .- 0953-8194. ; 21:7, s. 620-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Interleukin (IL)-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that also affects metabolic function because IL-6 depleted (IL-6(-/-)) mice develop late-onset obesity. IL-6 appears to act in the central nervous system, presumably in the hypothalamus, to increase energy expenditure that appears to involve stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. In the present study, we explored possible central mechanisms for the effects exerted by IL-6 on body fat. Therefore, we measured the effects of IL-6 depletion in IL-6(-/-) mice on expression of key hypothalamic peptide genes involved in energy balance by the real time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, co-localisation between such peptides and IL-6 receptor alpha was investigated by immunohistochemistry. IL-6 deficiency decreased the expression of several peptides found in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which is a nucleus that has been attributed an adipostatic function. For example, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is reported to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, was decreased by 40% in older IL-6(-/-) mice. Oxytocin, which is reported to prevent obesity, was also decreased in older IL-6(-/-) animals, as was arginine vasopressin (AVP). The IL-6 receptor alpha was abundantly expressed in the PVN, but also in the supraoptic nucleus, and was shown to be co-expressed to a high extent with CRH, AVP, oxytocin and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone. These data indicate that depletion of endogenous IL-6, a body fat suppressing cytokine, is associated with the decreased expression of CRH and oxytocin (i.e. energy balance regulating peptides) as well as AVP in the PVN. Because IL-6 receptor alpha is co-expressed with CRH, oxytocin and AVP, IL-6 could stimulate the expression of these peptides directly.
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| 16. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Interleukin-6 mediates exercise-induced increase in insulin sensitivity in mice.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Experimental physiology. - : Wiley. - 1469-445X .- 0958-0670. ; 97:11 SI, s. 1224-1235
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is released from working skeletal muscle during exercise. We investigated the acute and the long-term beneficial effects of IL-6 on exercise-induced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and insulin sensitivity. The acute effect on exercise-induced glucose uptake was measured in IL-6 deficient (-/-) mice and wild type controls using a tracer technique. There was no difference in serum disappearance of 3H-2-deoxyglucose after a bolus dose of exercise between IL-6 -/- and wild type mice (13565 ± 426 vs. 14343 ± 1309 dpm*min/ml, p=0.5). The glucose uptake rate in the EDL muscle was however lower in IL-6 -/- compared to wildtype mice (398 ± 44 vs. 657 ± 41 nmol/g/min, p<0.01). In the long-term study, we monitored insulin sensitivity, serum retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) levels, running activity, food intake, body weight and body composition in IL-6 -/- and wild type mice on a high-fat diet (HFD), with or without access to running wheels. In sedentary IL-6 -/- and wild type mice, HFD decreased insulin sensitivity (glucose AUC increased about 20% during an insulin tolerance test (ITT), p<0.05 for both genotypes vs. baseline) and led to a 30% increase in serum RBP-4 levels (p <0.01 for both genotypes vs. baseline). Wild type runners were protected against these effects of HFD and maintained their baseline insulin sensitivity and serum RBP-4 levels. In contrast, IL-6 -/- mice did not, to the same extent as wild types, benefit from running. IL-6 -/- runners had a similar decrease in insulin sensitivity as their sedentary littermates (glucose AUC during an ITT in runners vs. sedentary IL-6-/- HFD mice: 312 ± 14 vs. 340 ± 22 mmol*min/L, p=0.4) and displayed a 14% increase in serum RBP-4 as compared to baseline levels (p<0.01). Our results indicate that endogenous IL-6 contributes to the exercise-induced increase in insulin sensitivity, but only plays a minor role for glucose uptake into skeletal muscle during exercise.
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| 17. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Resveratrol Is Not as Effective as Physical Exercise for Improving Reproductive and Metabolic Functions in Rats with Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- 2013
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Ingår i: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1741-427X .- 1741-4288.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and metabolic disorder associated with obesity and insulin resistance that often precedes the development of type-2 diabetes. Rats continuously exposed to dihydrotestosterone from prepuberty display typical reproductive and metabolic PCOS characteristics including anovulation, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance, and obesity. Our aim was to investigate if resveratrol improves reproductive and metabolic functions in PCOS rats. The effect was compared to exercise. Control and PCOS rats were treated with vehicle or resveratrol (400mg·kg−1·day−1) for 5-6 weeks. Another group of PCOS rats received vehicle treatment and exercised for 5-6 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was determined by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. The glucose infusion rate was lower in the PCOS-vehicle group compared to control-vehicle rats (). Exercise increased insulin sensitivity compared with PCOS-vehicle rats (), but resveratrol did not. Resveratrol treatment and exercise resulted in smaller adipocytes, upregulated estrogen-related receptor α gene expression in subcutaneous fat, and improved estrus cyclicity in the previously acyclic PCOS rats. Although resveratrol had positive effects on adiposity and cyclicity in a similar manner to exercise, resveratrol does not seem to be a good candidate for treating insulin resistance associated with PCOS because no improvement in insulin sensitivity was observed in PCOS rats on normal chow.
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| 18. |
- Davegårdh, Cajsa, et al.
(författare)
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VPS39-deficiency observed in type 2 diabetes impairs muscle stem cell differentiation via altered autophagy and epigenetics
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Insulin resistance and lower muscle quality (strength divided by mass) are hallmarks of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we explore whether alterations in muscle stem cells (myoblasts) from individuals with T2D contribute to these phenotypes. We identify VPS39 as an important regulator of myoblast differentiation and muscle glucose uptake, and VPS39 is downregulated in myoblasts and myotubes from individuals with T2D. We discover a pathway connecting VPS39-deficiency in human myoblasts to impaired autophagy, abnormal epigenetic reprogramming, dysregulation of myogenic regulators, and perturbed differentiation. VPS39 knockdown in human myoblasts has profound effects on autophagic flux, insulin signaling, epigenetic enzymes, DNA methylation and expression of myogenic regulators, and gene sets related to the cell cycle, muscle structure and apoptosis. These data mimic what is observed in myoblasts from individuals with T2D. Furthermore, the muscle of Vps39(+/-) mice display reduced glucose uptake and altered expression of genes regulating autophagy, epigenetic programming, and myogenesis. Overall, VPS39-deficiency contributes to impaired muscle differentiation and reduced glucose uptake. VPS39 thereby offers a therapeutic target for T2D. Insulin resistance and lower muscle strength in relation to mass are hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. Here, the authors report alterations in muscle stem cells from individuals with type 2 diabetes that may contribute to these phenotypes through VPS39 mediated effects on autophagy and epigenetics.
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| 19. |
- Fornes, R., et al.
(författare)
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Maternal testosterone and placental function: Effect of electroacupuncture on placental expression of angiogenic markers and fetal growth
- 2016
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Ingår i: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0303-7207 .- 1872-8057. ; 433:C, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have elevated circulating androgens during pregnancy and are at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here we tested the hypotheses that maternal androgen excess decrease placental and fetal growth, and placental expression of markers of steroidogenesis, angiogenesis and sympathetic activity, and that acupuncture with low-frequency electrical stimulation prevents these changes. Pregnant rats were exposed to vehicle or testosterone on gestational day (GD)15-19. Low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) or handling, as a control for the EA procedure, was given to control or testosterone exposed dams on GD16-20. On GD21, blood pressure was measured and maternal blood, fetuses and placentas collected. Placental steroid receptor expression and proteins involved in angiogenic, neurotrophic and adrenergic signaling were analyzed. EA did not affect any variables in control rats except maternal serum corticosterone, which was reduced. EA in testosterone exposed dams compared with controls increased systolic pressure by 30%, decreased circulating norepinephrine and corticosterone, fetal and placental weight and placental VEGFR1 and proNGF protein expression, and increased the VEGFA/VEGFR1 ratio, mature NGF (mNGF) and the mNGF/proNGF ratio. In conclusion, low-frequency EA in control animals did not have any negative influence on any of the studied variables. In contrast, EA in pregnant dams exposed to testosterone increased blood pressure and impaired placental growth and function, leading to decreased fetal growth. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
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| 20. |
- Fornes, R., et al.
(författare)
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Mice exposed to maternal androgen excess and diet-induced obesity have altered phosphorylation of catechol-O-methyltransferase in the placenta and fetal liver
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Obesity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0307-0565 .- 1476-5497. ; 43:11, s. 2176-2188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/objectives Maternal obesity together with androgen excess in mice negatively affects placental function and maternal and fetal liver function as demonstrated by increased triglyceride content with dysfunctional expression of enzymes and transcription factors involved in de novo lipogenesis and fat storage. To identify changes in molecular pathways that might promote diseases in adulthood, we performed a global proteomic analysis using a liquid-chromatography/massspectrometry system to investigate total and phosphorylated proteins in the placenta and fetal liver in a mouse model that combines maternal obesity with maternal androgen excess. Methods After ten weeks on a control diet (CD) or high fat/high sugar-diet, dams were mated with males fed the CD. Between gestational day (GD) 16.5 and GD 18.5, mice were injected with vehicle or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sacrificed at GD 18.5 prior to dissection of the placentas and fetal livers. Four pools of female placentas and fetal livers were subjected to a global proteomic analysis. Total and phosphorylated proteins were filtered by ANOVA q < 0.05, and this was followed by two-way ANOVA to determine the effect of maternal obesity and/or androgen exposure. Results In placenta, phosphorylated ATP-citrate synthase was decreased due to maternal obesity, and phosphorylated catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) was differentially expressed due to the interaction between maternal diet and DHT exposure. In fetal liver, five total proteins and 48 proteins phosphorylated in one or more sites, were differentially expressed due to maternal obesity or androgen excess. In fetal liver, phosphorylated COMT expression was higher in fetus exposed to maternal obesity. Conclusion These results suggest a common regulatory mechanism of catecholamine metabolism in the placenta and the fetal liver as demonstrated by higher phosphorylated COMT expression in the placenta and fetal liver from animals exposed to dietinduced maternal obesity and lower expression of phosphorylated COMT in animals exposed to maternal androgen excess.
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