gw-501516 and Obesity

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are lipid-activated transcription factors playing important regulatory functions in development and metabolism. PPARalpha and PPARgamma are the most extensively examined and characterized, mainly because they are activated by marketed hypolipidemic and insulin sensitizer compounds, such as fibrates and thiazolidinediones. It has been established that the third member of the family, PPARdelta is implicated in developmental regulations, but until recently, its role in metabolism remained unclear. The availability of specific PPARdelta agonists and of appropriate cellular and animal models revealed that PPARdelta plays a crucial role in fatty acid metabolism in several tissues. Treatment of obese animals with PPARdelta agonists results in normalization of metabolic parameters and reduction of adiposity. Activation of the nuclear receptor promotes fatty acid burning in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue by upregulation of fatty acid uptake, beta-oxidation and energy uncoupling. PPARdelta is also involved in the adaptive metabolic responses of skeletal muscle to environmental changes, such as long-term fasting or physical exercise, by controlling the number of oxidative myofibers. These observations strongly suggest that PPARdelta agonists may have therapeutic usefulness in metabolic syndrome by increasing fatty acid consumption and decreasing obesity.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Fatty Acids; Insulin Resistance; Ligands; Macaca mulatta; Metabolic Syndrome; Muscle, Skeletal; Obesity; PPAR delta; Thiazoles

Pharmacological use of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)delta agonists and transgenic overexpression of PPARdelta in mice suggest amelioration of features of the metabolic syndrome through enhanced fat oxidation in skeletal muscle. We hypothesize a similar mechanism operates in humans.. The PPARdelta agonist (10 mg o.d. GW501516), a comparator PPARalpha agonist (20 mug o.d. GW590735), and placebo were given in a double-blind, randomized, three-parallel group, 2-week study to six healthy moderately overweight subjects in each group. Metabolic evaluation was made before and after treatment including liver fat quantification, fasting blood samples, a 6-h meal tolerance test with stable isotope fatty acids, skeletal muscle biopsy for gene expression, and urinary isoprostanes for global oxidative stress.. Treatment with GW501516 showed statistically significant reductions in fasting plasma triglycerides (-30%), apolipoprotein B (-26%), LDL cholesterol (-23%), and insulin (-11%), whereas HDL cholesterol was unchanged. A 20% reduction in liver fat content (P < 0.05) and 30% reduction in urinary isoprostanes (P = 0.01) were also observed. Except for a lowering of triglycerides (-30%, P < 0.05), none of these changes were observed in response to GW590735. The relative proportion of exhaled CO(2) directly originating from the fat content of the meal was increased (P < 0.05) in response to GW501516, and skeletal muscle expression of carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1b (CPT1b) was also significantly increased.. The PPARdelta agonist GW501516 reverses multiple abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome without increasing oxidative stress. The effect is probably caused by increased fat oxidation in skeletal muscle.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Apolipoproteins B; Cholesterol, HDL; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Placebos; PPAR delta; Thiazoles; Triglycerides

Obesity-associated insulin resistance is a forerunner of type 2 diabetes. Macrophages reside within adipose tissue (ATMs) have been reported to regulate insulin sensitivity through secreting miRNAs containing exosomes. Here, we show that miR-29a is increased in obese ATMs derived exosomes (ATMs-Exos) and can be transferred into adipocytes, myocytes and hepatocytes causing insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo. Administration of obese ATMs-Exos impairs insulin sensitivity of lean mice. While knockdown miR-29a level in obese ATM-Exos blunts this effect. PPAR-δ is identified to function as downstream target of miR-29a in regulating insulin resistance. PPAR-δ agonist GW501516 partially rescued the insulin resistance induced by miR-29a. Taken together, these findings suggest that ATMs derived exosomal miR-29a could regulate obesity-associated insulin resistance, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for obesity-associated type 2 diabetes.

Topics: Adipocytes; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Disease Models, Animal; Exosomes; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Hepatocytes; In Vitro Techniques; Insulin Resistance; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; MicroRNAs; Muscle Cells; Obesity; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Thiazoles

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ plays a pivotal role in metabolic homeostasis through its effect on insulin signaling. Although diverse genomic actions of PPARδ are postulated, the specific molecular mechanisms whereby PPARδ controls insulin signaling have not been fully elucidated. We demonstrate here that short-term activation of PPARδ results in the formation of a stable complex with nuclear T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase 45 (TCPTP45) isoform. This interaction of PPARδ with TCPTP45 blocked translocation of TCPTP45 into the cytoplasm, thereby preventing its interaction with the insulin receptor, which inhibits insulin signaling. Interaction of PPARδ with TCPTP45 blunted interleukin 6-induced insulin resistance, leading to retention of TCPTP45 in the nucleus, thereby facilitating deactivation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) signal. Finally, GW501516-activated PPARδ improved insulin signaling and glucose intolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet through its interaction with TCPTP45. This novel interaction of PPARδ constitutes the most upstream component identified of the mechanism downregulating insulin signaling.

Topics: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Adipocytes, White; Alternative Splicing; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Glucose Intolerance; Hepatocytes; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Male; Mice, Inbred ICR; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Obesity; PPAR delta; Protein Multimerization; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 2; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; RNA Interference; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Thiazoles

We have discovered and demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo PPARδ-selective activity of novel Y-shaped agonists. These compounds activated hPPARδ with EC(50) values between 1 and 523 nM. Surprisingly, compounds 10a, 11d, 11e and 11f were the most potent and most selective hPPARδ agonists with 10(4)-fold selectivity over the other two subtypes, namely, hPPARα and hPPARγ. The PPARδ ligands 10a, 11e and 11f showed good bioavailability and in vivo efficacy.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Diet, High-Fat; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Design; Humans; Mice; Models, Molecular; Obesity; PPAR delta; Protein Conformation

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Three isoforms of PPARs have been identified with different tissue distribution and biological functions. Although the pharmacology of each receptor is well studied, the physiological effect of simultaneous activation of PPARalpha, gamma and delta is only starting to emerge. We sought to determine the biological effects of a novel PPAR pan activator and elucidate the physiological mechanisms involved.. Ob/ob, diet-induced obese (DIO) or PPARalpha knockout mice were administered a novel agonist that activates all PPARs to various degrees to determine the effect on body weight, body composition, food intake and energy expenditure. In addition, serum parameters including glucose, insulin, triglycerides and ketone bodies as well as tissue acylcarnitine were evaluated. The effect of the novel agonist on liver and skeletal muscle histopathology was also studied.. We report that simultaneous activation of all PPARs resulted in substantial weight loss in ob/ob and DIO mice. Consistent with known PPAR pharmacology, we observed that agonist treatment increased lipid oxidation, although appetite suppression was mainly responsible for the weight loss. Agonist-induced weight loss was completely absent in PPARalpha knockout mice suggesting that PPARalpha pharmacology was the major contributor to weight regulation in mice.. Our work provides evidence that simultaneous activation of PPARalpha, gamma and delta decreases body weight by regulating appetite. These effects of the pan agonist were completely absent in PPARalpha knockout mice, suggesting that PPARalpha pharmacology was the major contributor to weight loss.

Topics: Animals; Appetite Depressants; Appetite Regulation; Energy Metabolism; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Obesity; PPAR alpha; PPAR delta; PPAR gamma; Rosiglitazone; Thiazoles; Thiazolidinediones; Weight Loss

The fatty-acid ethanolamide, oleoylethanolamide (OEA), is a naturally occurring lipid that regulates feeding and body weight [Rodriguez de Fonseca, F., Navarro, M., Gomez, R., Escuredo, L., Nava, F., Fu, J., Murillo-Rodriguez, E., Giuffrida, A., LoVerme, J., Gaetani, S., Kathuria, S., Gall, C., Piomelli, D., 2001. An anorexic lipid mediator regulated by feeding. Nature 414, 209-212], and serves as an endogenous agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) [Fu, J., Gaetani, S., Oveisi, F., Lo Verme, J., Serrano, A., Rodriguez De Fonseca, F., Rosengarth., A., Luecke, H., Di Giacomo, B., Tarzia, G., Piomelli, D., 2003. Oleoylethanolamide regulates feeding and body weight through activation of the nuclear receptor PPAR-alpha. Nature 425, 90-93], a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates several aspects of lipid metabolism [. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: nuclear control of metabolism. Endocr. Rev. 20, 649-688]). OEA reduces food intake in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient in PPAR-alpha (PPAR-alpha(-/-)), an effect that is also observed with the PPAR-alpha agonists Wy-14643 and GW7647 [Brown, P.J., Chapman, J.M., Oplinger, J.A., Stuart, L.W., Willson, T.M. and Wu, Z., 2000. Chemical compounds as selective activators of PPAR-alpha. PCT Int. Appl., 32; . The PPARs: from orphan receptors to drug discovery. J. Med. Chem. 43, 527-550]. By contrast, specific agonists of PPAR-delta/beta (GW501516) or PPAR-gamma (ciglitazone) have no such effect. In obese Zucker rats, which lack functional leptin receptors, OEA reduces food intake and lowers body-weight gain along with plasma lipid levels. Similar effects are seen in diet-induced obese rats and mice. In the present study, we report that subchronic OEA treatment (5mgkg(-1), intraperitoneally, i.p., once daily for two weeks) in Zucker rats initiates transcription of PPAR-alpha and other PPAR-alpha target genes, including fatty-acid translocase (FAT/CD36), liver fatty-acid binding protein (L-FABP), and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2). Moreover, OEA decreases neutral lipid content in hepatocytes, as assessed by Oil red O staining, as well as serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The results suggest that OEA regulates lipid metabolism and that this effect may contribute to its anti-obesity properties.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Butyrates; CD36 Antigens; Cholesterol; Coenzyme A Ligases; Eating; Endocannabinoids; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; Hepatocytes; Hyperlipidemias; Ion Channels; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Mitochondrial Proteins; Obesity; Oleic Acids; Phenylurea Compounds; PPAR alpha; Pyrimidines; Rats; Rats, Inbred WF; Rats, Zucker; RNA, Messenger; Thiazoles; Thiazolidinediones; Triglycerides; Uncoupling Protein 2

In contrast to the well-established roles of PPARgamma and PPARalpha in lipid metabolism, little is known for PPARdelta in this process. We show here that targeted activation of PPARdelta in adipose tissue specifically induces expression of genes required for fatty acid oxidation and energy dissipation, which in turn leads to improved lipid profiles and reduced adiposity. Importantly, these animals are completely resistant to both high-fat diet-induced and genetically predisposed (Lepr(db/db)) obesity. As predicted, acute treatment of Lepr(db/db) mice with a PPARdelta agonist depletes lipid accumulation. In parallel, PPARdelta-deficient mice challenged with high-fat diet show reduced energy uncoupling and are prone to obesity. In vitro, activation of PPARdelta in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells promotes fatty acid oxidation and utilization. Our findings suggest that PPARdelta serves as a widespread regulator of fat burning and identify PPARdelta as a potential target in treatment of obesity and its associated disorders.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adipose Tissue, Brown; Animals; Body Weight; Dietary Fats; Energy Metabolism; Fatty Acids; Food, Formulated; Genetic Vectors; Lipid Metabolism; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Transgenic; Obesity; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Receptors, Leptin; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Thiazoles; Transcription Factors; Transgenes; Triglycerides

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are dietary lipid sensors that regulate fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism. The hypolipidemic effects of the fibrate drugs and the antidiabetic effects of the glitazone drugs in humans are due to activation of the alpha (NR1C1) and gamma (NR1C3) subtypes, respectively. By contrast, the therapeutic potential of the delta (NR1C2) subtype is unknown, due in part to the lack of selective ligands. We have used combinatorial chemistry and structure-based drug design to develop a potent and subtype-selective PPARdelta agonist, GW501516. In macrophages, fibroblasts, and intestinal cells, GW501516 increases expression of the reverse cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette A1 and induces apolipoprotein A1-specific cholesterol efflux. When dosed to insulin-resistant middle-aged obese rhesus monkeys, GW501516 causes a dramatic dose-dependent rise in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol while lowering the levels of small-dense low density lipoprotein, fasting triglycerides, and fasting insulin. Our results suggest that PPARdelta agonists may be effective drugs to increase reverse cholesterol transport and decrease cardiovascular disease associated with the metabolic syndrome X.

Topics: Animals; Apolipoprotein A-I; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Biological Transport; Blood Glucose; Cell Line; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Drug Design; Fasting; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestines; Macaca mulatta; Macrophages; Male; Metabolic Diseases; Obesity; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; RNA, Messenger; Substrate Specificity; Thiazoles; Transcription Factors; Triglycerides