Research Article Details
Article ID: | A25140 |
PMID: | 22147010 |
Source: | Endocrinology |
Title: | Thyroid hormone receptor-α gene knockout mice are protected from diet-induced hepatic insulin resistance. |
Abstract: | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent chronic liver disease in the United States and is strongly associated with hepatic insulin resistance. We examined whether the thyroid hormone receptor-α (Thra) would be a potential therapeutic target to prevent diet-induced NAFLD and insulin resistance. For that purpose, we assessed insulin action in high-fat diet-fed Thra gene knockout (Thra-0/0) and wild-type mice using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps combined with (3)H/(14)C-labeled glucose to assess basal and insulin-stimulated rates of glucose and fat metabolism. Body composition was assessed by (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry. Relative rates of hepatic glucose and fat oxidation were assessed in vivo using a novel proton-observed carbon-edited nuclear magnetic resonance technique. Thra-0/0 were lighter, leaner, and manifested greater whole-body insulin sensitivity than wild-type mice during the clamp, which could be attributed to increased insulin sensitivity both in liver and peripheral tissues. Increased hepatic insulin sensitivity could be attributed to decreased hepatic diacylglycerol content, resulting in decreased activation of protein kinase Cε and increased insulin signaling. In conclusion, loss of Thra protects mice from high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance. Therefore, thyroid receptor-α inhibition represents a novel pharmacologic target for the treatment of NAFLD, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. |
DOI: | 10.1210/en.2011-1793 |

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 |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | 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 |
D018 | Aspirin | Chemical drug | DB00945 | AKR1C1 inhibitor; PCNA downregulator | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |