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Objective: Although prostate calcification is often identified on pelvic CT images, calcification itself is usually not considered clinically significant. A recent histological study proposed an association between prostate calcification and prostate cancer occurrence. Our aim was to determine the predictive value of prostate calcifications for future prostate cancer occurrence. Methods: We retrospectively analysed male patients (≥50 years old) without prior prostate cancer history, who underwent unenhanced pelvic CT between April 2010 and March 2011, and followed-up until December 2021. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess prostate cancer risk with prostate calcification (defined as a high-density area larger than 3 mm with CT attenuation values ≥ 130 HU), controlling for age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Results: A total of 636 male patients (mean age, 68 years ± 9 [standard deviation]) were evaluated. At the end of follow-up, prostate cancer had been more frequently diagnosed in patients with prostate calcification than those without prostate calcification (6.5% vs 2.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed that prostate calcification on CT was a significant predictor of future prostate cancer occurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.7; 95% CI: 1.20, 5.91; p = 0.016). No statistical differences were observed in any other factors. Conclusion: Prostate calcification may be a significant predictor of future prostate cancer occurrence, and may be used for risk stratification and to guide screening protocols. Advances in knowledge: Presence of prostate calcification on unenhanced CT scan was associated with increased incidence of prostate cancer occurrence on long term follow-up.

Muscle atrophy is the cause and consequence of obesity. Proteasome dysfunction mediates obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and insulin resistance in the liver and adipose tissues. However, obesity-associated regulation of proteasome function and its role in the skeletal muscles remains underinvestigated. Here, we established skeletal muscle-specific 20S proteasome assembly chaperone-1 (PAC1) knockout (mPAC1KO) mice. A high-fat diet (HFD) activated proteasome function by ∼8-fold in the skeletal muscles, which was reduced by 50% in mPAC1KO mice. mPAC1KO induced unfolded protein responses in the skeletal muscles, which were reduced by HFD. Although the skeletal muscle mass and functions were not different between the genotypes, genes involved in the ubiquitin proteasome complex, immune response, endoplasmic stress, and myogenesis were coordinately upregulated in the skeletal muscles of mPAC1KO mice. Therefore, we introduced an immobilization-induced muscle atrophy model in obesity by combining HFD and immobilization. mPAC1KO downregulated atrogin-1 and MuRF1, together with their upstream Foxo1 and Klf15, and protected against disused skeletal muscle mass reduction. In conclusion, obesity elevates proteasome functions in the skeletal muscles. PAC1 deficiency protects mice from immobilization-induced muscle atrophy in obesity. These findings suggest obesity-induced proteasome activation as a possible therapeutic target for immobilization-induced muscle atrophy.

Selenoprotein P (SeP; encoded by SELENOP in humans, Selenop in rodents) is a hepatokine that is upregulated in the liver of humans with type 2 diabetes. Excess SeP contributes to the onset of insulin resistance and various type 2 diabetes-related complications. We have previously reported that the long-chain saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid, upregulates Selenop expression, whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) downregulate it in hepatocytes. However, the effect of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) on Selenop is unknown. Here we report novel mechanisms that underlie the lauric acid-mediated Selenop gene regulation in hepatocytes. Lauric acid upregulated Selenop expression in Hepa1-6 hepatocytes and mice liver. A luciferase promoter assay and computational analysis of transcription factor-binding sites identified the hepatic nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) binding site in the SELENOP promoter. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that lauric acid increased the binding of HNF4α to the SELENOP promoter. The knockdown of Hnf4α using siRNA canceled the upregulation of lauric acid-induced Selenop. Thus, the lauric acid-induced impairment of Akt phosphorylation brought about by insulin was rescued by the knockdown of either Hnf4α or Selenop. These results provide new insights into the regulation of SeP by fatty acids and suggest that SeP may mediate MCFA-induced hepatic insulin signal reduction.

The quality of skeletal muscle is maintained by a balance between protein biosynthesis and degradation. Disruption in this balance results in sarcopenia. However, its underlying mechanisms remain under-investigated. Selenoprotein P (SeP; encoded by Selenop in mice) is a hepatokine that is upregulated in type 2 diabetes and aging and causes signal resistances via reductive stress. We created immobilized muscle atrophy (IMM) model in Selenop knockout (KO) mice. IMM significantly reduced cross-sectional areas and the size of skeletal muscle fibers, which were ameliorated in KO mice. IMM upregulated the genes encoding E3 ubiquitin ligases and their upstream FoxO1, FoxO3, and KLF15 transcription factors in the skeletal muscle, which were suppressed in KO mice. These findings suggest a possible involvement of SeP-mediated reductive stress in physical inactivity-mediated sarcopenia, which may be a therapeutic target against sarcopenia.

AIM Selenoprotein P (SeP, encoded by SELENOP in humans) is a hepatokine that causes insulin resistance in the liver and skeletal muscle. It was found that polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) downregulates Selenop expression by inactivating SREBP-1c. The present study aimed to examine the effect of EPA for 12 weeks on circulating SeP levels and insulin sensitivity in humans with type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 20 participants with dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to an EPA (900 mg, twice daily) group and a control group. The primary endpoint was a change in serum SeP levels. Organ-specific insulin sensitivity in the liver (HGP and %HGP), skeletal muscle (Rd), and adipose tissue (FFA and %FFA) were assessed using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study with stable isotope-labeled glucose infusion. RESULTS Serum SeP levels were not changed in either group at the end of the study. In the EPA group, the changes in SeP levels were positively correlated with the change in serum EPA levels (r = 0.709, P = 0.022). Treatment with EPA significantly enhanced %FFA but not %HGP and Rd. The change in serum EPA levels was significantly positively correlated with the change in %HGP, and negatively correlated with changes in Rd. CONCLUSIONS The change in serum EPA levels was positively correlated with serum SeP levels, hepatic insulin sensitivity, and negatively with skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in humans with type 2 diabetes. The EPA-induced enhancement of hepatic insulin sensitivity might be associated with a mechanism independent of serum SeP levels.

Selenoprotein P (SeP; encoded by SEPP1 in humans) is a hepatokine that causes impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Metformin downregulates SELENOP promoter activity through an adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase-forkhead box protein O3a pathway in hepatocytes. This study aimed to test our hypothesis that circulating SeP levels are associated with the glucose-lowering effect of metformin in humans.A total of 84 participants with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive metformin (1,000 mg, twice daily) or a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, alogliptin (25 mg, once daily) for 12 weeks. We tested metformin and alogliptin on SeP levels and factors associated therewith as a post-hoc analysis.Both metformin and aloglipitin did not change the SeP levels. Although metformin significantly increased the insulin secretory index secretory units of islets in transplantation only in participants with higher baseline SeP (3.87), both agents similarly reduced fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin. SeP levels at baseline were correlated negatively with changes in SeP (r = -0.484, P = 0.004) and fasting plasma glucose (r = -0.433, P = 0.011), and positively with changes in C-peptide immunoreactivity (r = 0.420, P = 0.017) and secretory units of islets in transplantation (r = 0.388, P = 0.028) in the metformin, but not alogliptin, group.Higher baseline levels of SeP significantly predicted metformin-mediated, but not alogliptin-mediated, glucose-lowering and insulinotropic effects. Serum SeP levels might be a novel biomarker for predicting the outcomes of metformin therapy, which might be helpful in tailoring diabetes medication.

It remains unclear how hepatic steatosis links to inflammation. Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is a hepatokine that senses fat in the liver and is upregulated prior to weight gain. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of LECT2 in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In human liver biopsy samples, elevated LECT2 mRNA levels were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and increased in patients who have steatosis and inflammation in the liver. LECT2 mRNA levels were also positively correlated with the mRNA levels of the inflammatory genes CCR2 and TLR4. In C57BL/6J mice fed with a high-fat diet, mRNA levels of the inflammatory cytokines Tnfa and Nos2 were significantly lower in Lect2 KO mice. In flow cytometry analyses, the number of M1-like macrophages and M1/M2 ratio were significantly lower in Lect2 KO mice than in WT mice. In KUP5, mouse kupffer cell line, LECT2 selectively enhanced the LPS-induced phosphorylation of JNK, but not that of ERK and p38. Consistently, LECT2 enhanced the LPS-induced phosphorylation of MKK4 and TAB2, upstream activators of JNK. Hepatic expression of LECT2 is upregulated in association with the inflammatory signature in human liver tissues. The elevation of LECT2 shifts liver residual macrophage to the M1-like phenotype, and contributes to the development of liver inflammation. These findings shed light on the hepatokine LECT2 as a potential therapeutic target that can dissociate liver steatosis from inflammation.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a worldwide applied immunosuppressant for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune diseases. However, CsA elevates oxidative stress leading to liver injuries. The present study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the CsA-mediated oxidative stress. Among the redox proteins, CsA concentration-dependently downregulated

Selenoprotein P is upregulated in type 2 diabetes, causing insulin and exercise resistance. We have previously reported that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) negatively regulates Selenop expression by suppressing Srebf1 in H4IIEC3 hepatocytes. However, EPA downregulated Srebf1 long before downregulating Selenop. Here, we report additional novel mechanisms for the Selenop gene regulation by EPA. EPA upregulated Foxo1 mRNA expression, which was canceled with the ERK1/2 inhibitor, but not with the PKA inhibitor. Foxo1 knockdown by siRNA initiated early suppression of Selenop, but not Srebf1, by EPA. However, EPA did not affect the nuclear translocation of the FoxO1 protein. Neither ERK1/2 nor PKA inhibitor affected FoxO1 nuclear translocation. In summary, FoxO1 knockdown accelerates the EPA-mediated Selenop downregulation independent of SREBP-1c in hepatocytes. EPA upregulates Foxo1 mRNA via the ERK1/2 pathway without altering its protein and nuclear translocation. These findings suggest redundant and conflicting transcriptional networks in the lipid-induced redox regulation.

Selenoprotein P is a hepatokine with antioxidative properties that eliminate a physiologic burst of reactive oxygen species required for intracellular signal transduction. Serum levels of selenoprotein P are elevated during aging and in people with type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatitis C. However, how serum levels of full-length selenoprotein P are regulated largely remains unknown, especially in the general population. To understand the significance of serum selenoprotein P levels in the general population, we evaluated intrinsic and environmental factors associated with serum levels of full-length selenoprotein P in 1,183 subjects participating in the Shika-health checkup cohort. Serum levels of selenium were positively correlated with liver enzymes and alcohol intake and negatively correlated with body mass index. Serum levels of selenoprotein P were positively correlated with age, liver enzymes, and alcohol intake. In multiple regression analyses, alcohol intake was positively correlated with serum levels of both selenium and selenoprotein P independently of age, gender, liver enzymes, and fatty liver on ultrasonography. In conclusion, alcohol intake is associated with elevated serum levels of selenium and selenoprotein P independently of liver enzyme levels and liver fat in the general population. Moderate alcohol intake may exert beneficial or harmful effects on health, at least partly by upregulating selenoprotein P. These findings increase our understanding of alcohol-mediated redox regulation and form the basis for the adoption of appropriate drinking guidelines.

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is a chronic disease of cattle caused by infection with BVD virus (BVDV) and can result in economic losses within the livestock industry. In Japan, the test and culling policy is a basic control measure, and implementation of an adequate vaccination program is recommended as a national policy. In addition, optional control measures, including compulsory testing of introduced animals and bulk tank milk (BTM) testing as a mass screening method, are used in several provinces, but their efficacy has not been completely assessed. We evaluated these control measures using the scenario tree model of BVD in Japan, developed in the previous study. The model outputs indicated that compulsory testing of all introduced cattle, rather than only heifers and/or non-vaccinated cattle, was cost effective and reduced the risk of BVDV introduction due to animal movement and that BTM testing could effectively monitor most part of the cattle population. Vaccination coverage and BVDV prevalence among introduced cattle could also affect the cost effectiveness of compulsory testing of targeted cattle, particularly under low vaccination coverage or high BVDV prevalence. However, even with the implementation of a highly effective monitoring scheme for many years, BVD risk could not be eliminated; it instead converged at a very low level (0.02%). Disease models with a cost-effective output could be a powerful tool in developing a control scheme for chronic animal diseases, including BVD, with the consent of relevant stakeholders.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize and activate the uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) under physiological cold exposure and noradrenaline (NA) stimulation to increase thermogenesis. However, pathological significance and the endogenous regulator of the ROS-mediated BAT activation remain unclear. Here, we show that serum levels of selenoprotein P (SeP, encoded by Selenop) are negatively correlated with BAT activity in humans. SeP impairs UCP1 activity and thermogenesis. Physiological cold exposure downregulates Selenop in BAT. BAT-specific Selenop-deficient (BAT-Selenop KO) mice presented elevated NA-induced mitochondrial ROS production, sulfenylated UCP1, and enhanced thermogenesis and glucose uptake in BAT during cold exposure. SeP inhibits mitochondrial ROS by upregulating the expression of the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase 4, and impairs glucose uptake in brown adipocytes. High fat/high sucrose diet upregulates Selenop in the liver and inhibits the NA-induced BAT thermogenesis in BAT-Selenop KO mice. Our data indicate that SeP, as the hepatokine and BATkine, is the first identified intrinsic factor inducing reductive stress that impairs UCP1 activation and thermogenesis in BAT, and therefore may be a potential therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) under physiological cold exposure and noradrenaline (NA) stimulation to increase thermogenesis. However, the endogenous regulator of ROS in activated BAT and its role in pathological conditions remain unclear. We show that serum levels of selenoprotein P (SeP; encoded by SELENOP) negatively correlate with BAT activity in humans. Physiological cold exposure downregulates Selenop in BAT. Selenop knockout mice show higher rectal temperatures and UCP1 sulfenylation during cold exposure. SeP treatment to brown adipocytes eliminated the NA-induced mitochondrial ROS by upregulating glutathione peroxidase 4 and impaired cellular thermogenesis. A high-fat/high-sucrose diet elevates serum SeP levels and diminishes the elevated NA-induced thermogenesis in BAT-Selenop KO mice. Therefore, SeP is the intrinsic factor inducing reductive stress that impairs thermogenesis in BAT and may be a potential therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes.

We aimed to test the hypothesis that selenoprotein P (SELENOP), a hepatokine involved in the development of both insulin resistance and impaired insulin production in mice, is related to future onset of hyperglycemia in humans. 76 healthy non-pregnant human subjects without diabetes underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and 4-years follow-up. Nine subjects developed either impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes at follow-up. At baseline, SELENOP concentrations correlated negatively with insulinogenic index, but not with homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Multivariate analysis showed that baseline SELENOP predicted fasting plasma glucose at follow-up independently of the other parameters. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that baseline concentrations of serum SELENOP, but not of selenium, were a reliable test to predict future onset of glucose intolerance. In conclusion, elevation of circulating SELENOP, but not of circulating selenium, was positively and independently associated with future onset of glucose intolerance in a general Japanese population.

Selenoprotein P (SeP) is a selenium (Se)-rich extracellular protein. SeP is identified as a hepatokine, causing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Thus, the measurement of SeP in serum has received much attention, and several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for SeP determination are now commercially available. In the present study, we determined the serum SeP levels by our original ELISA and sol particle homogeneous immunoassay (SPIA) methods and also by commercially available kits, and these determinants were compared. We found a kit-dependent correlation of the determinants with our methods. These results suggest that the selection of kit is critical for comparison with our previous reports and for discussing the relationship between the serum SeP levels and disease condition.

A scenario tree model was developed to propose efficient bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) control measures. The model used field data in eastern Hokkaido where the risk of BVDV infection in cattle has been reduced by an eradication program including mass vaccination, individual tests prior to communal pasture grazing, herd screening tests using bulk milk, and outbreak investigations of newly infected herds. These four activities were then used as hypothesized control measures in the simulation. In each simulation, the numbers of cattle infected persistently and transiently with BVDV detected by clinical manifestations and diagnosis tests and of missed by all of the diagnosis tests were calculated, and the numbers were used as indicators to be compared for the efficacy of the control measures. The model outputs indicated that the adoption of mass vaccination decreased the number of missed BVD cattle, although it did not increase the number of detected BVD cattle. Under implementation of mass vaccination, the efficacy of individual tests on selected 20% of the young and adult cattle was equal to that of the herd screening test performed in all the herds. When the virus prevalence or the number of sensitive animals becomes low, the efficacy of herd screening test was superior to one of individual tests. Considering the model outputs together, the scenario tree model developed in the present study was useful to compare the efficacy of the control measures for BVD.

Selenoprotein P (encoded by SELENOP in humans, Selenop in rat), a liver-derived secretory protein, induces resistance to insulin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in type 2 diabetes. Suppression of selenoprotein P may provide a novel therapeutic approach to treating type 2 diabetes; however, few drugs inhibiting SELENOP expression in hepatocytes have been identified. The present findings demonstrate that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) suppresses SELENOP expression by inactivating sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c, encoded by Srebf1 in rat) in H4IIEC3 hepatocytes. Treatment with EPA caused concentration- and time-dependent reduction in SELENOP promoter activity. EPA activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); however, the inhibitory effect of EPA on SELENOP promoter activity was not canceled with an AMPK inhibitor compound C and dominant-negative AMPK transfection. Deletion mutant promoter assays and computational analysis of transcription factor-binding sites conserved among the species resulted in identification of a sterol regulatory element (SRE)-like site in the SELENOP promoter. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that EPA decreases binding of SREBP-1c to the SELENOP promoter. Knockdown of Srebf1 resulted in a significant down-regulation of Selenop expression. Conversely, SREBP-1c overexpression inhibited the suppressive effect of EPA. These data provide a novel mechanism of action for EPA involving improvement of systemic insulin sensitivity through the regulation of selenoprotein P production independently of the AMPK pathway and suggest an additional approach to developing anti-diabetic drugs.

Background Hepatokines such as fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), leukocyte cell–derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), fetuin-A, fetuin-B, and selenoprotein P (SeP) are liver-derived proteins that are modulated by chronic energy status and metabolic disease. Emerging data from rodent and cell models indicate that hepatokines may be sensitive to acute nutritional manipulation; however, data in humans are lacking. Objective The aim was to investigate the influence of hyperenergetic, high-fat feeding on circulating hepatokine concentrations, including the time course of responses. Methods In a randomized, crossover design, 12 healthy men [mean ± SD: age, 24 ± 4 y; BMI (kg/m2), 24.1 ± 1.5] consumed a 7-d hyperenergetic, high-fat diet [HE-HFD; +50% energy, 65% total energy as fat (32% saturated, 26% monounsaturated, 8% polyunsaturated)] and control diet (36% total energy as fat), separated by 3 wk. Whole-body insulin sensitivity was assessed before and after each diet using oral-glucose-tolerance tests. Fasting plasma concentrations of FGF21 (primary outcome), LECT2, fetuin-A, fetuin-B, SeP, and related metabolites were measured after 1, 3, and 7 d of each diet. Hepatokine responses were analyzed using 2-factor repeated-measures ANOVA and subsequent pairwise comparisons. Results Compared with the control, the HE-HFD increased circulating FGF21 at 1 d (105%) and 3 d (121%; P ≤ 0.040), LECT2 at 3 d (17%) and 7 d (32%; P ≤ 0.004), and fetuin-A at 7 d (7%; P = 0.028). Plasma fetuin-B and SeP did not respond to the HE-HFD. Whole-body insulin sensitivity was reduced after the HE-HFD by 31% (P = 0.021). Conclusions Acute high-fat overfeeding augments circulating concentrations of FGF21, LECT2, and fetuin-A in healthy men. Notably, the time course of response varies between proteins and is transient for FGF21. These findings provide further insight into the nutritional regulation of hepatokines in humans and their interaction with metabolic homeostasis. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03369145.

A hepatokine is a collective term for liver-derived secretory factors whose previously-unrecognized functions have been recently elucidated. We have rediscovered selenoprotein P (SeP) and leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) as hepatokines that are involved in the development of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to determine whether and, if so, how oral glucose loading alters the two hepatokines in humans. We measured concentrations of serum SeP and plasma LECT2 during 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (n = 20) in people with various degrees of glucose tolerance. In OGTT, concentrations of both serum SeP and plasma LECT2 decreased at 120 min compared with the baseline values, irrespective of the severity of glucose intolerance. Decrement of serum SeP during OGTT showed no correlations to the clinical parameters associated with insulin resistance or insulin secretion. In multiple stepwise regression analyses, plasma cortisol was selected as the variable to explain the changes in plasma concentrations of LECT2. The current data reveal the acute inhibitory actions of oral intake of glucose on circulating SeP and LECT2 in humans, irrespective of the severity of glucose intolerance. This study suggests that circulating SeP is regulated by the unknown clinical factors other than insulin and glucose during OGTT.

Dieting often leads to body weight cycling involving repeated weight loss and regain. However, little information is available regarding rapid-response serum markers of overnutrition that predict body weight alterations during weight cycling. Here, we report the rapid response of serum leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), a hepatokine that induces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, during diet-induced weight cycling in mice. A switch from a high-fat diet (HFD) to a regular diet (RD) in obese mice gradually decreased body weight but rapidly decreased serum LECT2 levels within 10 days. In contrast, a switch from a RD to a HFD rapidly elevated serum LECT2 levels. Serum LECT2 levels showed a positive correlation with liver triglyceride contents but not with adipose tissue weight. This study demonstrates the rapid response of LECT2 preceding body weight alterations during weight cycling in mice and suggests that measurement of serum LECT2 may be clinically useful in the management of obesity.

金沢大学疾患モデル総合研究センター, Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is a hepatokine that causes skeletal muscle insulin resistance. The circulating levels of LECT2 are a possible biomarker that can predict weight cycling because they reflect liver fat and precede the onset of weight loss or gain. Herein, to clarify the dynamics of this rapid change in serum LECT2 levels, we investigated the in vivo kinetics of LECT2, including its plasma half-life and tissue distribution, by injecting 125I-labelled LECT2 into ICR mice and radioactivity tracing. The injected LECT2 was eliminated from the bloodstream within 10min (approximate half-life, 5min). In the kidneys, the radioactivity accumulated within 10min after injection and declined thereafter. Conversely, the radioactivity in urine increased after 30min of injection, indicating that LECT2 is mainly excreted by the kidneys into the urine. Finally, LECT2 accumulated in the skeletal muscle and liver until 30min and 2min after injection, respectively. LECT2 accumulation was not observed in the adipose tissue. These findings are in agreement with LECT2 action on the skeletal muscle. The present study indicates that LECT2 is a rapid-turnover protein, which renders the circulating level of LECT2 a useful rapid-response biomarker to predict body weight alterations. © 2020, The Author(s)., CC-BY 4.0

Hepatokines are liver-secreted proteins with potential to influence glucose regulation and other metabolic parameters. This study investigated differences in adiposity status on 5 novel hepatokines and characterised their response to acute moderate-intensity exercise in groups of normal-weight and overweight/obese men. Twenty-two men were recruited into normal-weight and overweight/obese groups (body mass index: 18.5 to 24.9 and 25.0 to 34.9 kg·m−2). Each completed 2 experimental trials, exercise and control. During exercise trials, participants performed 60 min of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (∼60% peak oxygen uptake) and then rested for 6 h. Participants rested throughout control trials. Circulating fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21), follistatin, leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), fetuin-A, and selenoprotein-P (SeP) were measured throughout. Fasted (resting) FGF21 and LECT2 were higher in overweight/obese individuals (129% and 55%; P ≤ 0.01) and correlated with indices of adiposity and insulin resistance; whereas circulating follistatin was lower in overweight/obese individuals throughout trial days (17%, P < 0.05). In both groups, circulating concentrations of FGF21 and follistatin were transiently elevated after exercise for up to 6 h (P ≤ 0.02). Circulating fetuin-A and SeP were no different between groups (P ≥ 0.19) and, along with LECT2, were unaffected by exercise (P ≥ 0.06). These findings show that increased adiposity is associated with a modified hepatokine profile, which may represent a novel mechanism linking excess adiposity to metabolic health. Furthermore, acute perturbations in circulating FGF21 and follistatin after exercise may contribute to the health benefits of an active lifestyle.

GCOM-C SGLI land products are being developed toward better understandings of terrestrial carbon cycle and future climate change projection. In this paper, we will introduce two research products, Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and their application of these products to earth system models (ESMs). The LAI product as research product is an improved version from standard product. The LAI retrieval is based on FLiES canopy radiative transfer model with improved treatment to boreal to arctic ecosystems by including overstory and understory vegetation. NPP and GPP products are based on improved version of BESS (Breathing Earth System Simulator) model, and initial results are discussed. Using these potential products, our goal is to evaluate and improve ESMs. We will show initial comparison of satellite-based products of LAI, GPP, NPP with ESM outputs, and evaluate similarity and differences between satellite products and model outputs.

Aims/hypothesis Impaired angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) resistance is a hallmark of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes; however, its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. We have previously identified selenoprotein P (SeP, encoded by the SEPP1 gene in humans) as a liver-derived secretory protein that induces insulin resistance. Levels of serum SeP and hepatic expression of SEPP1 are elevated in type 2 diabetes. Here, we investigated the effects of SeP on VEGF signalling and angiogenesis. Methods We assessed the action of glucose on Sepp1 expression in cultured hepatocytes. We examined the actions of SeP on VEGF signalling and VEGF-induced angiogenesis in HUVECs. We assessed wound healing in mice with hepatic SeP overexpression or SeP deletion. The blood flow recovery after ischaemia was also examined by using hindlimb ischaemia model with Sepp1-heterozygous-knockout mice. Results Treatment with glucose increased gene expression and transcriptional activity for Sepp1 in H4IIEC hepatocytes. Physiological concentrations of SeP inhibited VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation, tubule formation and migration in HUVECs. SeP suppressed VEGF-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in HUVECs. Wound closure was impaired in the mice overexpressing Sepp1, whereas it was improved in SeP-/-mice. SeP+/-mice showed an increase in blood flow recovery and vascular endothelial cells after hindlimb ischaemia. Conclusions/interpretation The hepatokine SeP may be a novel therapeutic target for impaired angiogenesis in type 2 diabetes. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Selenoprotein P (SeP; encoded by SEPP1 in humans) is a liver-derived secretory protein that induces insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Suppression of SeP might provide a novel therapeutic approach to treating type 2 diabetes, but few drugs that inhibit SEPP1 expression in hepatocytes have been identified to date. The present findings demonstrate that metformin suppresses SEPP1 expression by activating AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and subsequently inactivating FoxO3a in H4IIEC3 hepatocytes. Treatment with metformin reduced SEPP1 promoter activity in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; this effect was cancelled by co-administration of an AMPK inhibitor. Metformin also suppressed Sepp1 gene expression in the liver of mice. Computational analysis of transcription factor binding sites conserved among the species resulted in identification of the FoxO-binding site in the metformin-response element of the SEPP1 promoter. A luciferase reporter assay showed that metformin suppresses Forkhead-response element activity, and a ChIP assay revealed that metformin decreases binding of FoxO3a, a direct target of AMPK, to the SEPP1 promoter. Transfection with siRNAs for Foxo3a, but not for Foxo1, cancelled metformin-induced luciferase activity suppression of the metformin-response element of the SEPP1 promoter. The overexpression of FoxO3a stimulated SEPP1 promoter activity and rescued the suppressive effect of metformin. Metformin did not affect FoxO3a expression, but it increased its phosphorylation and decreased its nuclear localization. These data provide a novel mechanism of action for metformin involving improvement of systemic insulin sensitivity through the regulation of SeP production and suggest an additional approach to the development of anti-diabetic drugs.

Exercise has numerous health-promoting effects in humans; however, individual responsiveness to exercise with regard to endurance or metabolic health differs markedly. This 'exercise resistance' is considered to be congenital, with no evident acquired causative factors. Here we show that the anti-oxidative hepatokine selenoprotein P (SeP) causes exercise resistance through its muscle receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). SeP-deficient mice showed a 'super-endurance' phenotype after exercise training, as well as enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and peroxisome proliferative activated receptor γ coactivator (Ppargc)-1α (also known as PGC-1α; encoded by Ppargc1a) expression in skeletal muscle. Supplementation with the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced ROS production and the endurance capacity in SeP-deficient mice. SeP treatment impaired hydrogen-peroxide-induced adaptations through LRP1 in cultured myotubes and suppressed exercise-induced AMPK phosphorylation and Ppargc1a gene expression in mouse skeletal muscle-effects which were blunted in mice with a muscle-specific LRP1 deficiency. Furthermore, we found that increased amounts of circulating SeP predicted the ineffectiveness of training on endurance capacity in humans. Our study suggests that inhibitors of the SeP-LRP1 axis may function as exercise-enhancing drugs to treat diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Two cytologic variants of γδ T cell lymphoma are described. Case 1 represented a giant cell variant found in a 5-year-old Holstein cow, which had large tumor masses in the pelvic cavity. This variant consisted of very large lymphoid cells with round to oval nuclei, medium-sized nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm. Case 2 was an aborted 7-month-old female Holstein fetus, which represented an immature cell variant. Most of the neoplastic lesions were located in the skin and pleural and peritoneal submesothelial tissues. The neoplastic tissues were composed of homogeneous growth of lymphoma cells characterized by inconspicuous nucleoli and finely dispersed chromatin. Both cases demonstrated CD3, CD8 and WC1 immunoreactivity. The current study revealed that there are 4 cytologic variants (common, giant cell, hypergranular and immature cell) in bovine γδ T cell lymphomas.

Visceral adiposity in obesity causes excessive free fatty acid (FFA) flux into the liver via the portal vein and may cause fatty liver disease and hepatic insulin resistance. However, because animal models of insulin resistance induced by lipid infusion or a high fat diet are complex and may be accompanied by alterations not restricted to the liver, it is difficult to determine the contribution of FFAs to hepatic insulin resistance. Therefore, we treated H4IIEC3 cells, a rat hepatocyte cell line, with a monounsaturated fatty acid (oleate) and a saturated fatty acid (palmitate) to investigate the direct and initial effects of FFAs on hepatocytes. We show that palmitate, but not oleate, inhibited insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 2 and serine phosphorylation of Akt, through c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Among the well established stimuli for JNK activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) played a causal role in palmitate-induced JNK activation. In addition, etomoxir, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, as well as inhibitors of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (thenoyltrifluoroacetone and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) decreased palmitate-induced ROS production. Together, our findings in hepatocytes indicate that palmitate inhibited insulin signal transduction through JNK activation and that accelerated β-oxidation of palmitate caused excess electron flux in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, resulting in increased ROS generation. Thus, mitochondria-derived ROS induced by palmitate may be major contributors to JNK activation and cellular insulin resistance. © 2009 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

In the present study, we describe the synthesis of new analogues of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 ( 1 ), which possess hydrophobic aromatic ring on the 2α position. Among these analogues, 2α-benzyl analogue showed the highest potency in the affinity for the wild type vitamin D receptor (VDR) and induction of HL-60 cell differentiation as well as transcriptional activity. Affinity for the mutant VDR related to hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets (R274L) was also examined.

We synthesized all eight possible A-ring diastereomers of 2-methyl substituted analogs of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1alpha,25(OH)2D3] and also all eight A-ring diastereomers of 2-methyl-20-epi-1alpha,25(OH)2D3. Their biological activities, especially the antagonistic effect on non-genomic pathway-mediated responses induced by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 or its 6-s-cis-conformer analog, 1alpha,25(OH)2-lumisterol3, were assessed using an NB4 cell differentiation system. Antagonistic activity was observed for the 1beta-hydroxyl diastereomers, including 2beta-methyl-1beta,25(OH)2D3 and 2beta-methyl-3-epi-1beta,25(OH)2D3. Very interestingly, 2beta-methyl-3-epi-1alpha,25(OH)2D3 also antagonized the non-genomic pathway, despite its 1alpha-hydroxyl group. Other 1alpha-hydroxyl diastereomers did not show antagonistic activity. 20-epimerization diminished the antagonistic effect of all of these analogs on the non-genomic pathway. These findings suggested that the combination of the 2-methyl substitution of the A-ring and 20-epimerization of the side chain could alter the biological activities in terms of antagonism of non-genomic pathway-mediated biological response. Based on a previous report, 2-methyl substitution alters the equilibrium of the A-ring conformation between the alpha- and beta-chair conformers. The 2beta-methyl diastereomers, which exhibited antagonism on non-genomic pathway-mediated response, were considered to prefer the beta-conformer. Further examination to elucidate the relationship between the altered ligand shape and receptors interaction will be important for molecular level understanding of the mechanism of antagonism of the non-genomic pathway.

Recently, we demonstrated that some A-ring-modified vitamin D3 analogs had unique biological activity. Of these analogs, 2alpha-propoxy-1alpha,25(OH)2D3 (C3O1) and 2alpha-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-1alpha,25(OH)2D3 (O2C3) were examined for metabolism by CYP27A1 and CYP24A1. Surprisingly, CYP27A1 catalyzed the conversion from C3O1 to O2C3, which has 3 times more affinity for vitamin D receptor than C3O1. Thus, the conversion from C3O1 to O2C3 by CYP27A1 is considered to be a metabolic activation process. Five metabolites were detected in the metabolism of C3O1 and O2C3 by human CYP24A1 including both C-23 and C-24 oxidation pathways. On the other hand, three metabolites of the C-24 oxidation pathway were detected in their metabolism by rat CYP24A1, indicating a species-based difference in the CYP24A1-dependent metabolism of C3O1 and O2C3 between humans and rats. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Km and kcat values of human CYP24A1 for O2C3 are, respectively, approximately 16 times more and 3 times less than those for 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. Thus, the catalytic efficiency, kcat/Km, of human CYP24A1 for O2C3 is only 2% of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. These results and a high calcium effect of C3O1 and O2C3 in animal experiments using rats suggest that C3O1 and O2C3 are promising for clinical treatment of osteoporosis.

A concise and efficient synthetic approach to 2 alpha-(omega-hydroxyalkoxy)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (4a-c), including 2-epi-ED-71, was developed starting from D-glucose as a chiral template for the construction of the 2 alpha-modified A-ring precursors (11a-c). It was found that the best ligand for the bovine thymus vitamin D receptor (VDR) in this series is 4b, which has 1.8 times greater binding affinity for the bovine thymus VDR than that of the natural hormone 1. Interestingly, potency in the induction of HL-60 cell differentiation for 4a-c was almost the same or weaker than that of 1 despite the strong binding affinity for the VDR. Next, we were interested in the "double modification"of 1 based on 4a-c with C20-epimerization, affording 2 alpha-(omega-hydroxyalkoxy)-20-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (20-epi-4a-c). All three 2 alpha-substituted 20-epi analogues of 1 (20-epi-4a-c) exhibited stronger binding affinities for the VDR, and their conformations in the ligand binding domain of VDR were analyzed by molecular modeling. Double-modified analogues of 20-epi-4a-c showed marked HL-60 cell differentiation activity, and 20-epi-4a possesses an activity 58-fold higher than that of the natural hormone 1.

The metabolism of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) (1alpha,3beta) and its A-ring diastereomers, 1beta,25(OH)(2)D(3) (1beta,3beta), 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-3-epi-D(3) (1alpha,3alpha), and 1beta,25(OH)(2)-3-epi-D(3) (1beta,3alpha), was examined to compare the substrate specificity and reaction specificity of CYP24A1 between humans and rats. The ratio between C-23 and C-24 oxidation pathways in human CYP24A1-dependent metabolism of (1alpha,3alpha) and (1beta,3alpha) was 1:1, although the ratio for (1alpha,3beta) and (1beta,3beta) was 1:4. These results indicate that the orientation of the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position determines the ratio between C-23 and C-24 oxidation pathways. A remarkable increase of metabolites in the C-23 oxidation pathway was also observed in rat CYP24A1-dependent metabolism. The binding affinity of human CYP24A1 for A-ring diastereomers was (1alpha,3beta)(1alpha,3alpha)(1beta,3beta)(1beta,3alpha), indicating that both hydroxyl groups at C-1 and C-3 positions significantly affect substrate-binding. The information obtained in this study is quite useful for understanding substrate recognition of CYP24A1 and designing new vitamin D analogs.

The immunohistochemical features of tumors from 7 Holstein cows showing fibroblastic, myofibroblastic, smooth muscle or pericytic differentiation are described. In cases 1 and 2, the tumors were characterized by neoplastic fibroblasts immunostained with vimentin alone, but some cells appeared to transiently express alpha smooth muscle actin (SMA) during tumor development. Cutaneous (case 3) and nasal (case 4) myofibroblastomas, which were characterized by SMA and fibronectin positivity, with a minority of cells showing positive reactivity for desmin, were readily distinguishable from tumors of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and pericytes by fibronectin staining. The same staining pattern was seen in a vulvar myofibroblastoma (case 5), which differed from a vaginal leiomyoma (case 6) coexpressing SMA and desmin in nearly all neoplastic cells. Both neoplasms, however, had estrogen receptor (ER), and may be derived from immature stromal cells distributed in the vulvovaginal region. A hemangiopericytoma (case 7) resembled myofibroblastomas in cytoskeletal immunophenotypes, but lacked fibronectin. Benign or locally invasive soft tissue tumors with spindle cell morphology and expression of SMA could be divided into several types by immunostaining for SMA, desmin, fibronectin and BR.

The synthesis of novel vitamin D receptor antagonists, 24-methyl-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 26,23-lactones, is reported. We found that the biological activities of the vitamin D(3) lactones were affected by the structure of the lactone part. Furthermore, introduction of a 2alpha-methyl group into the 24-methylvitamin D(3) lactones dramatically enhanced their anti-vitamin D activity. [reaction: see text]

The 20-epi form of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3)) is expected as drugs for leukemia, other cancers or psoriasis, because it shows several-hundred fold enhanced ability to induce cell differentiation and growth inhibition than 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) while its calcemic activity is only slightly elevated. In this study, we compared the human and rat CYP24-dependent metabolism of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3) by using the Escherichia coli expression system. The HPLC and LC-MS analyses of the metabolites revealed that rat CYP24 converted 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3) to 25,26,27-trinor-1alpha(OH)-24(COOH)-20-epi-D(3) through 1alpha,24,25(OH)(3)-20-epi-D(3) and 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-24-oxo-20-epi-D(3). The binding affinity of trinor-1alpha(OH)-24(COOH)-20-epi-D(3) for vitamin D receptor (VDR) was less than 1/4000 of that of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3). These results suggest that rat CYP24 can almost completely inactivate 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3). On the other hand, human CYP24 mainly converted 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3) to its putative demethylated compound with a hydroxyl group, via 1alpha,24,25(OH)(3)-20-epi-D(3), 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-24-oxo-20-epi-D(3), and 1alpha,23,25(OH)(3)-24-oxo-20-epi-D(3). All of these metabolites showed considerable affinity for vitamin D receptor. These results clearly demonstrate the species-based difference between human and rat on the CYP24-dependent metabolism of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-20-epi-D(3).

We here show that single-stranded oligonucleotides containing 5-formyl-2'-deoxyuridine (fdU) can crosslink the peptides derived from the DNA binding site of RecA protein through a Schiff base formation. The ability of crosslinking of fdU-containing oligonucleotides was investigated using a series of peptides whose amino acid residues spanning the center of the RecA-derived peptide were sequentially replaced with lysine. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, gel mobility shift assay and sedimentation experiment demonstrated that crosslinking reaction proceeded efficiently only when the peptides bound to the oligonucleotides.

Novel A-ring analogues of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) antagonist ( 3a ), ZK-159222, and its 24-epimer ( 3b ) were convergently synthesized. Preparation of the CD-ring portions with the side chains of 3a , b , followed by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with the A-ring enyne precursors ( 15a , b ), (3 S ,4 S ,5 R )- and (3 S ,4 S ,5 S )-bis[( tert -butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-4-methyloct-1-en-7-yne, afforded the 2α-methyl-introduced analogues ( 4a , b ) and their 3-epimers ( 5a , b ). The biological profiles of the hybrid analogues were assessed in terms of affinity for VDR, and antagonistic activity to inhibit HL-60 cell differentiation induced by the natural hormone, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . The analogue 4a showed an approximately fivefold higher antagonistic activity compared with 3a . The 2α-methyl introduction into 3a increased the receptor affinity, thereby enhancing VDR antagonism. This approach to design potent antagonists based on hybridization of structural motifs in the A-ring and in the side chain may prove to be valuable.

2-Eicosa-5',8',11',14'-tetraenylglycerol (2-AG ether, HU310, noladin ether) is a metabolically stable ether-linked analogue of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand. 2-AG ether has been used as a valuable experimental tool by a number of investigators. Recently, several groups reported that 2-AG ether is present in mammalian brains. We examined in detail whether 2-AG ether actually exists in the brains of various mammalian species. We found that 2-AG ether is not present, at least in an appreciable amount, in the rat brain by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and fluorometric high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The level of 2-AG ether in the rat brain was below 0.2 pmol/g brain, if at all present. Similar results were obtained for the mouse brain, hamster brain, guinea-pig brain and pig brain. The fact that 2-AG ether was not detected in the brains of various mammalian species is consistent with the fact that an ether bond is formed through enzymatic replacement of the fatty acyl moiety of 1-acyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate by a fatty alcohol, the resultant 1-O-alkyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate being a common intermediate of the biosynthesis of ether-linked lipids in mammalian tissues. It is rather questionable whether 2-AG ether is present in appreciable amounts in the brain and acts as an 'endogenous' cannabinoid receptor ligand.