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Female reproduction has energetic needs. When the energetic supply does not reach the energetic requirements (under-nutrition/intense physical activity), female fertility is altered. Studies have already highligthed the importance of energetic metabolism, especially carbohydrate metabolism, in the ovarian functionning in women. On the contrary, the importance of lipid metabolism is still poorly described. Data emerging from both lab and farm animal models enables to acquire knowledge on lipid metabolism impacts on ovarian follicular cells, on animal fertility and on embryo production. This review will endeavor to describe differences, in terms of lipid metabolism, existing between several ovarian cell types (germ / somatic), it will also address the effetcs, both favorable and unfavorable, of fatty acid supplementation and will define the protective role of cumulus cells towards the oocyte, regarding lipotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We have shown that reduced expression of receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) alters the regulation of fatty-acid (FA) oxidation in muscle. To determine whether a high level of FA availability alters the effects of RIP140 on metabolic regulation, L6 myotubes were transfected with or without RNA interference oligonucleotide sequences to reduce RIP140 expression, and then incubated with high levels of palmitic acid, with or without insulin. High levels of palmitate reduced basal (53%-58%) and insulin-treated (24%-44%) FA uptake and oxidation, and increased basal glucose uptake (88%). In cells incubated with high levels of palmitate, low RIP140 increased basal FA uptake and insulin-treated FA oxidation and glucose uptake, and decreased basal glucose uptake and insulin-treated FA uptake. Under basal conditions, low RIP140 increased the mRNA content of FAT/CD36 (159%) and COX4 (61%), as well as the protein content of Nur77 (68%), whereas the mRNA expression of FGF21 (50%) was decreased, as was the protein content of CPT1b (35%) and FGF21 (44%). Under insulin-treated conditions, low RIP140 expression increased the mRNA content of MCAD (84%) and Nur77 (84%), as well as the protein content of Nur77 (23%). Thus, a low level of RIP140 restores the rates of FA uptake in the basal state, in part via a reduction in upstream insulin signaling. Our data also indicate that the protein expression of Nur77 may be modulated by RIP140 when muscle cells are metabolically challenged by high levels of palmitate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Résumé: Objectif: L’objectif de ce cas clinique était de montrer l’importance de rechercher une cause métabolique, particulièrement un déficit primaire en carnitine devant une cardiomyopathie dilatée chez l’enfant. Observation: Nous rapportons le cas d’un garçon togolais de trois ans, hospitalisé pour hypotonie musculaire et dyspnée d’effort. L’examen clinique mettait en évidence un bruit de galop gauche, un souffle cardiaque systolique à l’apex. La radiographie thoracique montrait une cardiomégalie (RCT : 0,66), l’électrocardiogramme, un rythme sinusal, une hypertrophie ventriculaire gauche et des anomalies de l’onde T. L’échocardiogramme avait mis en évidence une cardiomyopathie dilatée hypokinétique avec une fraction d’éjection FE : 0,43 (normal : 0,55–0,80) et une insuffisance mitrale modérée fonctionnelle. L’imagérie par résonance magnétique n’avait pas montré de signes de cardiomyopathie ischémique ou de myocardite. Le bilan inflammatoire et infectieux était négatif. Les taux de carnitine plasmatique libre et totale étaient très bas : 3μmol/L (N : 18–48μmol/L) et 5μmol/L (N : 29–70μmol/L) respectivement. Le test génétique a confirmé la mutation du gène SLC22A5. Un traitement par supplémentation orale en carnitine à 200mg/kg par jour a permis la régression de tous les symptômes et la normalisation de la fonction ventriculaire gauche (FE : 0,62) au bout de trois semaines. Conclusion: Le déficit primaire en carnitine est une cause de cardiomyopathie dilatée chez l’enfant, qu’il faut évoquer systématiquement devant une cardiomyopathie d’allure ű primitive Ƈ. La prise en charge est simple et le pronostic est excellent sous traitement de carnitine à vie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of endurance exercise (END; 65% V̇O2peak for 60 min) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIE; four 30 s Wingates separated by 4.5 min of active rest) on cardiorespiratory, hormonal, and subjective appetite measures that may account for the previously reported superior fat loss with low volume HIE compared with END. Recreationally active males ( n = 18) completed END, HIE, and control (CON) protocols. On each test day, cardiorespiratory measures including oxygen uptake ( V̇O2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate were recorded and blood samples were obtained at baseline (BSL), 60 min after exercise, and 180 min after exercise (equivalent times for CON). Subjective measures of appetite (hunger, fullness, nausea, and prospective consumption) were assessed using visual analogue scales, administered at BSL, 0, 60, 120, and 180 min after exercise. No significant differences in excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) were observed between conditions. RER was significantly ( P < 0.05) depressed in HIE compared with CON at 60 min after exercise, yet estimates of total fat oxidation over CON were not different between HIE and END. No differences in plasma adiponectin concentrations between protocols or time points were present. Epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly ( P < 0.05) elevated immediately after exercise in HIE compared with CON. Several subjective measures of appetite were significantly ( P < 0.05) depressed immediately following HIE. Our data indicate that increases in EPOC or fat oxidation following HIE appear unlikely to contribute to the reported superior fat loss compared with END. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The regulation of fatty acid utilization during muscle contraction and exercise remains to be fully elucidated. Evidence suggests that the metabolic responses of skeletal muscle induced by the contraction-induced changes in energy demand are mediated by the activation of a multitude of intracellular signaling cascades. This review addresses the roles played by 3 intracellular signaling cascades of interest in the regulation of fatty acid uptake and oxidation in contracting skeletal muscle; namely, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs), and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signaling cascades. Data delineating the potential role of AMPK in cross-talk with CaMKII, CaMK kinase (CaMKK), and ERK1/2 are presented. Collectively, data show that in perfused rodent muscle, regulation of fatty acid uptake and oxidation occurs via ( i) CaMKII signaling via both AMPK-dependent and -independent cascades, ( ii) CaMKK signaling via both AMPK-dependent and -independent cascades, ( iii) AMPK signaling in a time- and intensity-dependent manner, and ( iv) ERK1/2 signaling in an intensity-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Beta adrenergic receptor blocking drugs (β-blockers) are used chronically in many cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Beneficial effects are associated with the inhibition of symphathetic nervous system hyperactivity, reduction of heart rate, and remodeling by blocking the mitogenic activity of catecholamines. A possible effect of β-blockers on substrate metabolism has also been suggested. The direct effects of β-blockers on mouse C2C12 cells were investigated in this study. C2C12 cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and differentiated into myotubes in the same medium that contained 1% FBS. Palmitic acid oxidation and glycolysis were measured by using [9,10-3H]palmitate and [5-3H]glucose, respectively. The amount of 3H2O was measured as an indicator of substrate usage. Carvedilol (100 µmol/L) inhibited palmitate oxidation and increased glycolysis by nearly 50%. Prazosin altered substrate metabolism in a similar fashion as carvedilol, whereas propranolol or bisoprolol were devoid of metabolic effects. When added to mimic sympathetic activation, epinephrine stimulated glycolysis but did not alter fatty acid oxidation. Based on these results, carvedilol appears to have direct effects on substrate metabolism that are related to the blockade of α1 adrenergic receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Rescue of palmitate-induced insulin resistance has been linked with improvements in fatty acid oxidation, but importantly, not always with concurrently altered AMPK or ACC2 phosphorylation. Therefore, we examined the interrelationships among AMPK, ACC2, and fatty acid oxidation under 12 controlled conditions in isolated muscle. Incubation of soleus muscle (0-12 h) did not alter fatty acid oxidation, but did increase AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (24%-30%). Muscle incubation with palmitate (2 mmol·L-1) inhibited palmitate oxidation (∼55%), but paradoxically, this was associated with increased AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (∼50%). Addition of an AMPK activator (thujone) to control (no palmitate) muscle increased AMPK and ACC2 phosphorylation (∼25%) but did not alter palmitate oxidation. Addition of AMPK inhibitors, compound C (50 µmol·L-1) or adenine 9-β- d-arabinofuranoside (Ara; 2.5 mmol·L-1), to thujone-treated muscles (no palmitate) did not alter palmiate oxidation but reduced AMPK phosphorylation (32%-42%), while ACC2 phosphorylation remained above basal level (+14%-18%). Finally, in palmitate-treated muscle, thujone increased AMPK (+100%) and ACC2 phosphorylation (+52%) and restored palmitate oxidation. Compound C or Ara, administered along with thujone in palmitate-treated muscle, only partly blunted palmitate oxidation recovery despite inhibiting AMPK phosphorylation (-22%), although ACC2 phosphorylation remained upregulated (+33%). Among these experiments, AMPK phosphorylation and ACC2 phosphorylation were positively correlated. However, AMPK phosphorylation was not correlated with palmitate oxidation, and unexpectedly, palmitate oxidation was negatively correlated with ACC2 phosphorylation. Our study, in accordance with a growing body of evidence, indicates that neither AMPK phosphorylation nor ACC2 phosphorylation is by itself an appropriate marker of fatty acid oxidation, and further serves to question their regulatory role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) represents a novel flexible regulatory system, influencing rates of mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism in both human and rodent skeletal muscle. During exercise, the subcellular redistribution of FAT/CD36 provides a mechanism to increase not only plasma membrane fatty acid transport, but also mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. This FAT/CD36-mediated coordination of long chain fatty acid (LCFA) transport and oxidation is an intriguing model in the context of insulin resistance. It was believed for almost a decade that reductions in fatty acid oxidation increased intramuscular lipids, thereby contributing to insulin resistance. A reduction in mitochondrial content may reduce the capacity of skeletal muscle LCFA oxidation; however, work from my laboratory has shown that, in some insulin-resistant muscles, mitochondrial content and fatty acid oxidation are both increased, yet these muscles accumulate lipids because of a considerably greater increase in fatty acid transport. Therefore, an alternative model is being considered, in which the balance between LCFA uptake and oxidation is a determining factor in the development of insulin resistance. A permanent redistribution of the LCFA transport protein FAT/CD36 to the sarcolemmal has been consistently found, which results in an increased rate of LCFA transport. This work suggests that the accumulation of skeletal muscle lipids, regardless of changes in mitochondria, is attributable to an increased rate of LCFA transport that exceeds the capacity for oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The discovery 10 years ago of PGC-1α represented a major milestone towards understanding of the molecular processes regulating energy metabolism in many tissues, including skeletal muscle. PGC-1α orchestrates a metabolic program regulating oxidative lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This is essentially the same metabolic program that is activated by exercise and down-regulated by sedentary lifestyles and high-fat diets, as well as in cases of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The present review examines the evidence in support of the key role for PGC-1α regulation of substrate metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, studies with PGC-1α null and transgenic mice have revealed unexpected pathologies when PGC-1α is completely repressed (KO animals) or is massively overexpressed. In contrast, PGC-1α overexpression within normal physiological limits results in marked improvements in fatty acid oxidation and insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Exercise, sedentary lifestyles, and nutritional factors can regulate PGC-1α expression. We speculate that optimal targeting of PGC-1α upregulation, whether by diet, exercise, or a combination of both, could represent effective prophylactic or therapeutic means to improve insulin sensitivity. Indeed, using modern molecular tools, it may indeed be possible to prescribe optimally individualized nutrition and exercise programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Deteriorating islet β-cell function is key in the progression of an impaired glucose tolerance state to overt type 2 diabetes (T2D), a transition that can be delayed by exercise. We have previously shown that trained rats are protected from heart ischemia–reperfusion injury in correlation with an increase in cardiac tissue fatty-acid oxidation. This trained metabolic phenotype, if induced in the islet, could also prevent β-cell failure in the pathogenesis of T2D. To assess the effect of training on islet lipid metabolism and insulin secretion, female Sprague–Dawley rats were exercised on a treadmill for 90 min/d, 4 d/week, for 10 weeks. Islet fatty-acid oxidation, the expression of key lipid metabolism genes, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were determined in freshly isolated islets from trained and sedentary control rats after a 48 h rest period from the last exercise. Although this moderate training reduced plasma glycerol, free fatty acids, and triglyceride levels by about 40%, consistent with reduced lipolysis from adipose tissue, it did not alter islet fatty-acid oxidation, nor the islet expression of key transcription factors and enzymes of lipid metabolism. The training also had no effect on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion or its amplification by free fatty acids. In summary, chronic exercise training did not cause an intrinsic change in islet lipid metabolism. Training did, however, substantially reduce the exposure of islets to exogenous lipid, thereby providing a potential mechanism by which exercise can prevent islet β-cell failure leading to T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

AMP-activated protein kinase plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in response to metabolic stress and energy demand. It is also under endocrine control. AMPK acts at multiple steps and has a central role controlling fatty acid, triglyceride, and cholesterol synthesis, as well as the oxidation of fatty acids through direct phosphorylation effects and the control of gene transcription. As such, it can be considered to be the fat controller of the energy railroad. It is thought that AMPK may be a major mediator of the health benefits of exercise in mitigating the development of obesity and age-onset diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aging induces complex changes in myocardium bioenergetic and contractile properties. Using F344BNF1 rats, we examined age-dependent changes in myocardial bioenergetic enzymes (catalytic activities and transcript levels) and mRNA levels of putative transcriptional regulators of bioenergetic genes. Very old rats (35 months) showed a 22% increase in ventricular mass with no changes in DNA or RNA per gram. Age-dependent cardiac hypertrophy was accompanied by complex changes in mitochondrial enzymes. Enzymes of the Krebs cycle and electron transport system remained within 15% of the values measured in adult heart, significant decreases occurring in citrate synthase (10%) and aconitase (15%). Transcripts for these enzymes were largely unaffected by aging, although mRNA levels of putative transcriptional regulators of the enzymes (nuclear respiratory factor (NRF) 1 and 2 α subunit) increased by about 30%–50%. In contrast, enzymes of fatty acid oxidation exhibited a more diverse pattern, with a 50% decrease in β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) and no change in long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase or carnitine palmitoyltransferase. Transcript levels for fatty acid oxidizing enzymes covaried with HOAD, which declined significantly by 30%. There were no significant changes in the relative transcript levels of regulators of genes for fatty acid oxidizing enzymes: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), PPARβ, or PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). There were no changes in the mRNA levels of Sirt1, a histone-modifying enzyme that interacts with PGC-1α. Collectively, these data suggest that aging causes complex changes in the enzymes of myocardial energy metabolism, triggered in part by NRF-independent pathways as well as post-transcriptional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Theobromine, a methylxanthine present in cocoa, has been shown to possess many beneficial pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory property, and anti-microbial activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of theobromine on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the possible underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that theobromine reduced body weight and fat mass and improved dyslipidemia. Theobromine mitigated liver injury and significantly reduced hepatic triglyceride level in mice with obesity. Histological examinations also showed hepatic steatosis was alleviated after theobromine treatment. Furthermore, theobromine reversed the elevated mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1c, FASN, CD36, FABP4, and the suppressed expression of PPARα and CPT1a in the liver of mice with obesity, which were responsible for lipogenesis, fatty acid uptake, and fatty acid oxidation respectively. In vitro, theobromine also downregulated SREBP-1c, FASN, CD36, FABP4 and upregulated PPARα and CPT1a mRNA and protein levels in hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner, while these changes were reversed by L-leucine, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) agonist. The present study demonstrated that theobromine improved NAFLD by inhibiting lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake and promoting fatty acid oxidation in the liver and hepatocytes, which might be associated with its suppression of mTOR signaling pathway. Novelty: Theobromine protects against high-fat diet - induced NAFLD. Theobromine inhibits lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake and promotes fatty acid oxidation in the liver and hepatocytes via inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway. more...

Protein restriction throughout pregnancy and lactation reduces liver triglyceride (TG) content in adult male rat offspring. The study determined the contribution of hepatic lipogenesis to the reduction in liver TG content. Rats received either control or protein-restricted diets throughout pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were sacrificed on day 65. Hepatic fatty acid uptake and de novo fatty acid and TG biosynthesis were similar between control and low-protein (LP) offspring. These results indicate that hepatic lipogenesis cannot mediate the decrease in liver TG content in LP offspring. We then determined whether increased lipid utilization in adipose tissue and muscle was responsible for the decrease in liver TG content. There was suggestive evidence of increased sympathetic nervous system tone in epididymal adipose tissue of LP offspring that increased fatty acid uptake, TG lipolysis, and utilization of fatty acids in mitochondrial thermogenesis. Measurement of similar parameters demonstrated that such alterations do not occur in gastrocnemius muscle, another major lipid-utilizing tissue. Our results suggest that the decrease in liver TG content in LP offspring is likely due to increased diversion of fatty acids to white and brown adipose tissue depots and their enhanced utilization to fuel mitochondrial thermogenesis. more...

Interleukin (IL)-15 is a cytokine with important immunological functions. It is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and is believed to be a myokine, a hypothesis supported by the rapid increase in circulating levels of IL-15 in response to exercise. Treatment with high doses of IL-15 results in metabolic adaptations such as improved insulin sensitivity and whole-body fatty acid oxidation and protection from high-fat-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. IL-15 secreted by contracting muscle may therefore act as an endocrine factor to improve adiposity and energy metabolism in different tissues. Most studies have used supraphysiological doses of IL-15 that do not represent circulating IL-15 in response to exercise. However, evidence shows that IL-15 levels are higher in muscle interstitium and that IL-15 might improve muscle glucose homeostasis and oxidative metabolism in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Nevertheless, how IL-15 signals in skeletal muscle to improve muscle energy metabolism is not understood completely, especially because the absence of the α subunit of the IL-15 receptor (IL-15Rα) results in a phenotype similar to that of overexpressing/oversecreting IL-15 in mice. In this article, we review the literature to propose a model for the regulation of IL-15 by the soluble form of IL-15Rα to explain why some findings in the literature seem, at first glance, to be contradictory. more...

Objectives: Enhanced mitochondrial fatty acid utilization is known to increase radical oxidative stress and induce insulin resistance. An increased level of plasma acylcarnitine (AC) has been proposed to indicate mitochondrial energy substrate overload, a possible mechanism leading to insulin resistance. The aim of our study was to determine fasting and postprandial plasma acetyl-carnitine (AC2:0), palmitoyl-carnitine (AC16:0), oleoyl-carnitine (AC18:1) and linoleoyl-carnitine (AC18:2) levels and their relationships with plasma nonesterified fatty acid appearance and oxidation rates and insulin sensitivity in participants with type 2 diabetes and normoglycemic offspring of 2 parents with type 2 diabetes (FH+) compared to healthy participants without family histories of type 2 diabetes (FH-)., Methods: All participants underwent 3 metabolic protocols: 1) a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp at fasting; 2) a 6-hour steady-state oral standard liquid meal and 3) an identical 6-hour steady-state meal intake study with a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. AC levels were measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) rates were measured by stable isotopic tracer techniques with indirect respiratory calorimetry., Results: During the insulin clamp at fasting, AC16:0 was significantly higher in the group with type 2 diabetes vs. FH- (p<0.05). In the postprandial state, AC2:0, AC16:0 and AC18:1 decreased significantly, but this reduction was blunted in type 2 diabetes, even during normalization of postprandial glucose levels during the insulin clamp. Fasting AC16:0 correlated with FAO (ρ=+0.604; p=0.0002); triacylglycerol (ρ=+0.427; p<0.02) and waist circumference (ρ=+0.416; p=0.02)., Conclusions: Spillover of AC occurs in type 2 diabetes but is not fully established in FH+. AC16:0 can be a useful biomarker of excessive FAO., (Copyright © 2017 Diabetes Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...