Research Article Details
Article ID: | A22714 |
PMID: | 24362075 |
Source: | J Hepatol |
Title: | Cardiotrophin-1 eliminates hepatic steatosis in obese mice by mechanisms involving AMPK activation. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a hepatoprotective cytokine that modulates fat and glucose metabolism in muscle and adipose tissue. Here we analyzed the changes in hepatic fat stores induced by recombinant CT-1 (rCT-1) and its therapeutic potential in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: rCT-1 was administered to two murine NAFLD models: ob/ob and high fat diet-fed mice. Livers were analyzed for lipid composition and expression of genes involved in fat metabolism. We studied the effects of rCT-1 on lipogenesis and fatty acid (FA) oxidation in liver cells and the ability of dominant negative inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to block these effects. RESULTS: CT-1 was found to be upregulated in human and murine steatotic livers. In two NAFLD mouse models, treatment with rCT-1 for 10days induced a marked decrease in liver triglyceride content with augmented proportion of poly-unsaturated FA and reduction of monounsaturated species. These changes were accompanied by attenuation of inflammation and improved insulin signaling. Chronic administration of rCT-1 caused downregulation of lipogenic genes and genes involved in FA import to hepatocytes together with amelioration of ER stress, elevation of NAD(+)/NADH ratio, phosphorylation of LKB1 and AMPK, increased expression and activity of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and upregulation of genes mediating FA oxidation. rCT-1 potently inhibited de novo lipogenesis and stimulated FA oxidation in liver cells both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies showed that these effects are mediated by activated AMPK. CONCLUSIONS: rCT-1 resolves hepatic steatosis in obese mice by mechanisms involving AMPK activation. rCT-1 deserves consideration as a potential therapy for NAFLD. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.12.012 |

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 |
S07 | Anti-lipogenesis | de novo lipogenesis; de novo lipogenesis; DNL; anti-lipogenic mechanisms; adipogenesis; anti-obesity | stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1); Acetyl-coenzyme carboxylase; acyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor (ACC inhibitor); stearoyl Coenzyme A desaturase inhibitor (SCD inhibitor); THR-beta selective agonist; DGAT2 inhibitor; FASN inhibitor | Aramchol; Firsocostat (GS-0976); VK-2809; ION 224 | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T01 | 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase subunit beta-1 | PRKAB1 | activator | Kinase | Q9Y478 | AAKB1_HUMAN | Details |
T10 | Caspase-1 | CASP1 | inhibitor | Enzyme | P29466 | CASP1_HUMAN | Details |
T18 | Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 | ACACA | inhibitor | Enzyme | Q13085 | ACACA_HUMAN | Details |
T05 | Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma | PPARG | agonist | Nuclear hormone receptor | P37231 | PPARG_HUMAN | 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |