Research Article Details
Article ID: | A03163 |
PMID: | 34106786 |
Source: | Am J Physiol Cell Physiol |
Title: | Impaired Ca2+ signaling due to hepatic steatosis mediates hepatic insulin resistance in Alström syndrome mice that is reversed by GLP-1 analog treatment. |
Abstract: | Ca2+ signaling plays a critical role in the regulation of hepatic metabolism by hormones including insulin. Changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ regulate synthesis and posttranslational modification of key signaling proteins in the insulin pathways. Emerging evidence suggests that hepatocyte intracellular Ca2+ signaling is altered in lipid-loaded liver cells isolated from obese rodent models. The mechanisms of altered Ca2+-insulin and insulin-Ca2+ signaling pathways in obesity remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the kinetics of insulin-initiated intracellular (initial) Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum is significantly impaired in steatotic hepatocytes from obese Alström syndrome mice. Furthermore, exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, reversed lipid-induced inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release kinetics in steatotic hepatocytes, without affecting the total content of intracellular Ca2+ released. Exenatide reversed the lipid-induced inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release, at least partially, via lipid reduction in hepatocytes, which then restored hormone-regulated cytoplasmic Ca2+ signaling and insulin sensitivity. This data provides additional evidence for the important role of Ca2+ signaling pathways in obesity-associated impaired hepatic lipid homeostasis and insulin signaling. It also highlights a potential advantage of GLP-1 analogs when used to treat type 2 diabetes associated with hepatic steatosis. |
DOI: | 10.1152/ajpcell.00020.2021 |

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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D129 | Exenatide | Biological drug | DB01276 | GLP1R activator; GLP1R agonist | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D155 | Glucagon | Biological drug | DB00040 | GCGR agonist | Antidiabetic drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D055 | Calcium | Chemical drug | DB01373 | CAST; COMP; CP; BMP4; MGP | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |