4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and Hyperinsulinism

The aim of this study was to investigate lipofuscin origin in brown adipocytes of hyperinsulinaemic rats and the possible role of lipid peroxidation and iron in this process. Ultrastructural examination revealed hyperinsulinaemia-induced enhancement in the lipofuscin production, accompanied by an increase of mitochondrial damage in brown adipocytes. Extensive fusions of lipid droplets and mitochondria with lysosomes were also observed. Confocal microscopy showed lipofuscin autofluorescence emission in brown adipose tissue (BAT) after excitation at 488 nm and 633 nm, particularly in the insulin-treated groups. The presence and distribution of lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), in brown adipocytes was assessed by immunohistochemical examination revealing its higher content after treatment with insulin. The iron content was quantified by electron dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) showing its higher content in the hyperinsulinaemic groups. The ultrastucture of the majority of lipofuscin granules suggests their mitochondrial origin, which was additionally confirmed by their co-localization with ATP synthase. In conclusion, our results suggest that increased lipofuscinogenesis in the brown adipocytes of hyperinsulinaemic rats is a consequence of lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial damage and iron accumulation.

Topics: Adipocytes, Brown; Aldehydes; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Hyperinsulinism; Immunohistochemistry; Iron; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipofuscin; Lysosomes; Male; Membrane Fusion; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission

The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rat is a model of hyperphagic obesity in which the animals retain the desire to run voluntarily. Running wheels were provided for 4-wk-old OLETF rats for 16 wk before they were killed 5 h (WL5), 53 h (WL53), or 173 h (WL173) after the wheels were locked. Sedentary (SED) OLETF rats that were not given access to running wheels served as age-matched cohorts. Epididymal fat pad mass, adipocyte volume, and adipocyte number were 58%, 39%, and 47% less, respectively, in WL5 than SED rats. Contrary to cessation of daily running in Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats, epididymal fat did not increase during the first 173 h of running cessation in the OLETF runners. Serum insulin and glucose levels were 77% and 29% less, respectively, in WL5 than SED rats. Oil red O staining for intramyocellular lipid accumulation was not statistically different among groups. However, lipid peroxidation levels, as determined by total trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and 4-HNE normalized to oil red O, was higher in epitrochlearis muscles of SED than WL5, WL53, and WL173 rats. mRNA levels of glutathione S-transferase-alpha type 4, an enzyme involved in cellular defense against electrophilic compounds such as 4-HNE, were higher in epitrochlearis muscle of WL53 than WL173 and SED rats. In contrast, 4-HNE levels in omental fat were unaltered. Epitrochlearis muscle palmitate oxidation and relative transcript levels for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator type 1 were surprisingly not different between runners and SED rats. In summary, voluntary running was associated with lower levels of lipid peroxidation in skeletal muscle without significant changes in intramyocellular lipids or mitochondrial markers in OLETF rats at 20 wk of age. Therefore, even in a genetic animal model of extreme overeating, daily physical activity promotes improved health of skeletal muscle.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Aging; Aldehydes; Animals; Blood Glucose; Disease Models, Animal; Eating; Glutathione Transferase; Hyperglycemia; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin; Isoenzymes; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Mitochondria, Muscle; Muscle, Skeletal; Obesity; Oxidation-Reduction; Palmitic Acid; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; Physical Exertion; PPAR gamma; Rats; Rats, Inbred BN; Rats, Inbred F344; Rats, Inbred OLETF; RNA-Binding Proteins; RNA, Messenger; Running; Species Specificity; Superoxide Dismutase; Transcription Factors; Weight Gain