Research Article Details
Article ID: | A01198 |
PMID: | 34830360 |
Source: | Int J Mol Sci |
Title: | Time-Dependent Changes in Hepatic Sphingolipid Accumulation and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model of NAFLD. |
Abstract: | Increased lipid bioavailability in a diet favors lipid accumulation, enhancing hepatic lipotoxicity and contributing to insulin resistance (IR) development. The aim of our study was to examine time-dependent alterations in the intrahepatic content of sphingolipids and insulin signaling pathway in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The experiment was conducted on male Wistar rats receiving a standard diet or HFD for five weeks. At the end of each experimental feeding week, liver sphingolipids were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The expression of proteins from the sphingolipid pathway and glucose transporter expression were assessed by Western blot. The content of phosphorylated form of proteins from the insulin pathway was detected by a multiplex assay kit. Our results revealed that HFD enhanced hepatic ceramide deposition by increasing the expression of selected proteins from sphingomyelin and salvage pathways in the last two weeks. Importantly, we observed a significant inhibition of Akt phosphorylation in the first week of HFD and stimulation of PTEN and mTOR phosphorylation at the end of HFD. These changes worsened the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. We may postulate that HFD-induced reduction in the insulin action in the time-dependent matter was exerted by excessive accumulation of sphingosine and sphinganine rather than ceramide. |
DOI: | 10.3390/ijms222212478 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S02 | Enhance lipid metabolism | triglyceride-lowering; lipid tolerance; lipid metabolism | 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitor; Decreases intestinal cholesterol absorption; FXR agonist; ACC inhibitor; FAS inhibitor; DGAT2 inhibitor; SCD-1 inhibitor | Atorvastatin; Ezetimibe; Obeticholic Acid; GS-9674; GS-0976; TVB-2640; IONIS-DGAT2rx; Aramchol; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |