-
Current Diabetes Reports Nov 2019Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are the only pharmacologic agents that specifically treat insulin resistance. The beneficial effects of TZDs on the cardiovascular risk factors... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are the only pharmacologic agents that specifically treat insulin resistance. The beneficial effects of TZDs on the cardiovascular risk factors associated with insulin resistance have been well documented. TZD use has been limited because of concern about safety issues and side effects.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent studies indicate that cardiovascular toxicity with rosiglitazone and increase in bladder cancer with pioglitazone are no longer significant issues. There are new data which show that pioglitazone treatment reduces myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes. New data concerning TZD-mediated edema, congestive heart failure, and bone fractures improves the clinician's ability to select patients that will have minimal significant side effects. Thiazolidinediones are now generic and less costly than pharmaceutical company-promoted therapies. Better understanding of the side effects coupled with clear benefits on the components of the insulin resistance syndrome should promote TZD use in treating patients with type 2 diabetes.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin Resistance; Pioglitazone; Rosiglitazone; Thiazolidinediones
PubMed: 31776781
DOI: 10.1007/s11892-019-1270-y -
Current Obesity Reports Sep 2019Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, is strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, is strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
RECENT FINDINGS
Significant weight loss can improve NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Diet and exercise that result in a sustained body weight reduction of 7-10% can improve liver fat content, NASH, and fibrosis. Vitamin E can be considered in patients with biopsy-proven NASH without diabetes, though caution must be used in those with prostate cancer. Pioglitazone improves liver histology, including fibrosis, and can be considered in patients with or without diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) antagonists may be beneficial in NASH, but more studies are needed before they can be recommended. Bariatric surgery, with resultant weight loss, can result in improvement in liver fat and inflammation. NAFLD treatment includes diet and exercise with a target 7-10% weight reduction. Treatment goals include improvements in liver fat content, liver inflammation, and fibrosis.
Topics: Bariatric Surgery; Body Weight; Diet; Exercise; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity; Pioglitazone; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin E; Weight Loss
PubMed: 30945129
DOI: 10.1007/s13679-019-00345-1 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2021Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a type II nuclear receptor, initially recognized in adipose tissue for its role in fatty acid storage and... (Review)
Review
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a type II nuclear receptor, initially recognized in adipose tissue for its role in fatty acid storage and glucose metabolism. It promotes lipid uptake and adipogenesis by increasing insulin sensitivity and adiponectin release. Later, PPARγ was implicated in cardiac development and in critical conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and kidney failure. Recently, a cluster of different papers linked PPARγ signaling with another superfamily, the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), and its receptors, all of which play a major role in PAH and kidney failure. TGFβ is a multifunctional cytokine that drives inflammation, fibrosis, and cell differentiation while PPARγ activation reverses these adverse events in many models. Such opposite biological effects emphasize the delicate balance and complex crosstalk between PPARγ and TGFβ. Based on solid experimental and clinical evidence, the present review summarizes connections and their implications for PAH and kidney failure, highlighting the similarities and differences between lung and kidney mechanisms as well as discussing the therapeutic potential of PPARγ agonist pioglitazone.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Kidney; Lung; PPAR gamma; Pioglitazone; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Renal Insufficiency; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factor beta
PubMed: 34638771
DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910431 -
Microbiome Jun 2019Western-style diets arouse neuroinflammation and impair emotional and cognitive behavior in humans and animals. Our previous study showed that a high-fructose diet...
BACKGROUND
Western-style diets arouse neuroinflammation and impair emotional and cognitive behavior in humans and animals. Our previous study showed that a high-fructose diet caused the hippocampal neuroinflammatory response and neuronal loss in animals, but the underlying mechanisms remained elusive. Here, alterations in the gut microbiota and intestinal epithelial barrier were investigated as the causes of hippocampal neuroinflammation induced by high-fructose diet.
RESULTS
A high-fructose diet caused the hippocampal neuroinflammatory response, reactive gliosis, and neuronal loss in C57BL/6N mice. Depletion of the gut microbiota using broad-spectrum antibiotics suppressed the hippocampal neuroinflammatory response in fructose-fed mice, but these animals still exhibited neuronal loss. Gut microbiota compositional alteration, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) reduction, intestinal epithelial barrier impairment, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 6 (NLRP6) inflammasome dysfunction, high levels of serum endotoxin, and FITC-dextran were observed in fructose-fed mice. Of note, SCFAs, as well as pioglitazone (a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonist), shaped the gut microbiota and ameliorated intestinal epithelial barrier impairment and NLRP6 inflammasome dysfunction in fructose-fed mice. Moreover, SCFAs-mediated NLRP6 inflammasome activation was inhibited by histamine (a bacterial metabolite) in ex vivo colonic explants and suppressed in murine CT26 colon carcinoma cells transfected with NLRP6 siRNA. However, pioglitazone and GW9662 (a PPAR-γ antagonist) exerted no impact on SCFAs-mediated NLRP6 inflammasome activation in ex vivo colonic explants, suggesting that SCFAs may stimulate NLRP6 inflammasome independently of PPAR-γ activation. SCFAs and pioglitazone prevented fructose-induced hippocampal neuroinflammatory response and neuronal loss in mice. Additionally, SCFAs activated colonic NLRP6 inflammasome and increased DCX newborn neurons in the hippocampal DG of control mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings reveal that gut dysbiosis is a critical factor for a high-fructose diet-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation in C57BL/6N mice possibly mediated by impairing intestinal epithelial barrier. Mechanistically, the defective colonic NLRP6 inflammasome is responsible for intestinal epithelial barrier impairment. SCFAs can stimulate NLRP6 inflammasome and ameliorate the impairment of intestinal epithelial barrier, resulting in the protection against a high-fructose diet-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuronal loss. This study addresses a gap in the understanding of neuronal injury associated with Western-style diets. A new intervention strategy for reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases through SCFAs supplementation or dietary fiber consumption is emphasized.
Topics: Animals; Doublecortin Protein; Dysbiosis; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Fructose; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Hippocampus; Inflammasomes; Inflammation; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neuroimmunomodulation; Pioglitazone
PubMed: 31255176
DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0713-7 -
Journal of Hepatology Apr 2023Despite recent progress, non-invasive tests for the diagnostic assessment and monitoring of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain an unmet need. Herein, we... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Despite recent progress, non-invasive tests for the diagnostic assessment and monitoring of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain an unmet need. Herein, we aimed to identify diagnostic signatures of the key histological features of NAFLD.
METHODS
Using modified-aptamer proteomics, we assayed 5,220 proteins in each of 2,852 single serum samples from 636 individuals with histologically confirmed NAFLD. We developed and validated dichotomized protein-phenotype models to identify clinically relevant severities of steatosis (grade 0 vs. 1-3), hepatocellular ballooning (0 vs. 1 or 2), lobular inflammation (0-1 vs. 2-3) and fibrosis (stages 0-1 vs. 2-4).
RESULTS
The AUCs of the four protein models, based on 37 analytes (18 not previously linked to NAFLD), for the diagnosis of their respective components (at a clinically relevant severity) in training/paired validation sets were: fibrosis (AUC 0.92/0.85); steatosis (AUC 0.95/0.79), inflammation (AUC 0.83/0.72), and ballooning (AUC 0.87/0.83). An additional outcome, at-risk NASH, defined as steatohepatitis with NAFLD activity score ≥4 (with a score of at least 1 for each of its components) and fibrosis stage ≥2, was predicted by multiplying the outputs of each individual component model (AUC 0.93/0.85). We further evaluated their ability to detect change in histology following treatment with placebo, pioglitazone, vitamin E or obeticholic acid. Component model scores significantly improved in the active therapies vs. placebo, and differential effects of vitamin E, pioglitazone, and obeticholic acid were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
Serum protein scanning identified signatures corresponding to the key components of liver biopsy in NAFLD. The models developed were sufficiently sensitive to characterize the longitudinal change for three different drug interventions. These data support continued validation of these proteomic models to enable a "liquid biopsy"-based assessment of NAFLD.
CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER
Not applicable.
IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS
An aptamer-based protein scan of serum proteins was performed to identify diagnostic signatures of the key histological features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), for which no approved non-invasive diagnostic tools are currently available. We also identified specific protein signatures related to the presence and severity of NAFLD and its histological components that were also sensitive to change over time. These are fundamental initial steps in establishing a serum proteome-based diagnostic signature of NASH and provide the rationale for using these signatures to test treatment response and to identify several novel targets for evaluation in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
Topics: Humans; Biopsy; Fibrosis; Inflammation; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Pioglitazone; Proteomics; Vitamin E
PubMed: 36528237
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.11.029 -
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy Jan 2022Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, utilizing GWAS and multi-omics data to...
BACKGROUND
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, utilizing GWAS and multi-omics data to identify high-confidence AD risk genes (ARGs) and druggable targets that can guide development of new therapeutics for patients suffering from AD has heretofore not been successful.
METHODS
To address this critical problem in the field, we have developed a network-based artificial intelligence framework that is capable of integrating multi-omics data along with human protein-protein interactome networks to accurately infer accurate drug targets impacted by GWAS-identified variants to identify new therapeutics. When applied to AD, this approach integrates GWAS findings, multi-omics data from brain samples of AD patients and AD transgenic animal models, drug-target networks, and the human protein-protein interactome, along with large-scale patient database validation and in vitro mechanistic observations in human microglia cells.
RESULTS
Through this approach, we identified 103 ARGs validated by various levels of pathobiological evidence in AD. Via network-based prediction and population-based validation, we then showed that three drugs (pioglitazone, febuxostat, and atenolol) are significantly associated with decreased risk of AD compared with matched control populations. Pioglitazone usage is significantly associated with decreased risk of AD (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.916, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.861-0.974, P = 0.005) in a retrospective case-control validation. Pioglitazone is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes, and propensity score matching cohort studies confirmed its association with reduced risk of AD in comparison to glipizide (HR = 0.921, 95% CI 0.862-0.984, P = 0.0159), an insulin secretagogue that is also used to treat type 2 diabetes. In vitro experiments showed that pioglitazone downregulated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK5) in human microglia cells, supporting a possible mechanism-of-action for its beneficial effect in AD.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, we present an integrated, network-based artificial intelligence methodology to rapidly translate GWAS findings and multi-omics data to genotype-informed therapeutic discovery in AD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Artificial Intelligence; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Repositioning; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35012639
DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00951-z -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology May 2021Enhanced angiogenesis can promote diabetic wound healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes, which are cell-free therapeutics, are promising candidates for...
BACKGROUND
Enhanced angiogenesis can promote diabetic wound healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes, which are cell-free therapeutics, are promising candidates for the treatment of diabetic wound healing. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exosomes derived from MSCs pretreated with pioglitazone (PGZ-Exos) on diabetic wound healing.
RESULTS
We isolated PGZ-Exos from the supernatants of pioglitazone-treated BMSCs and found that PGZ-Exos significantly promote the cell viability and proliferation of Human Umbilical Vein Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) injured by high glucose (HG). PGZ-Exos enhanced the biological functions of HUVECs, including migration, tube formation, wound repair and VEGF expression in vitro. In addition, PGZ-Exos promoted the protein expression of p-AKT, p-PI3K and p-eNOS and suppressed that of PTEN. LY294002 inhibited the biological function of HUVECs through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway. In vivo modeling in diabetic rat wounds showed that pioglitazone pretreatment enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs-derived exosomes and accelerated diabetic wound healing via enhanced angiogenesis. In addition, PGZ-Exos promoted collagen deposition, ECM remodeling and VEGF and CD31 expression, indicating adequate angiogenesis in diabetic wound healing.
CONCLUSIONS
PGZ-Exos accelerated diabetic wound healing by promoting the angiogenic function of HUVECs through activation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway. This offers a promising novel cell-free therapy for treating diabetic wound healing.
Topics: Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; Animals; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Collagen; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Exosomes; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Pioglitazone; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Skin; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34020670
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00894-5 -
Nature Communications Sep 2022Valvular inflammation triggered by hyperlipidemia has been considered as an important initial process of aortic valve disease; however, cellular and molecular evidence...
Valvular inflammation triggered by hyperlipidemia has been considered as an important initial process of aortic valve disease; however, cellular and molecular evidence remains unclear. Here, we assess the relationship between plasma lipids and valvular inflammation, and identify association of low-density lipoprotein with increased valvular lipid and macrophage accumulation. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis reveals the cellular heterogeneity of leukocytes, valvular interstitial cells, and valvular endothelial cells, and their phenotypic changes during hyperlipidemia leading to recruitment of monocyte-derived MHC-II macrophages. Interestingly, we find activated PPARγ pathway in Cd36 valvular endothelial cells increased in hyperlipidemic mice, and the conservation of PPARγ activation in non-calcified human aortic valves. While the PPARγ inhibition promotes inflammation, PPARγ activation using pioglitazone reduces valvular inflammation in hyperlipidemic mice. These results show that low-density lipoprotein is the main lipoprotein accumulated in the aortic valve during hyperlipidemia, leading to early-stage aortic valve disease, and PPARγ activation protects the aortic valve against inflammation.
Topics: Animals; Aortic Valve; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Calcinosis; Cells, Cultured; Endothelial Cells; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Immunomodulation; Inflammation; Lipoproteins, LDL; Mice; PPAR gamma; Pioglitazone; Transcriptome
PubMed: 36115863
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33202-2 -
Kidney International Aug 2019
Topics: Humans; Kidney Calculi; Nephrolithiasis; Pioglitazone; Uric Acid
PubMed: 31331471
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.04.015