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Biomedical subjects

D Langin

Publications and source records attributed to D Langin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

A sib-pair analysis study of 15 candidate genes in French families with morbid obesity: indication for linkage with islet 1 locus on chromosome 5q.

As part of an ongoing search for susceptibility genes in obese families, we performed linkage analyses in 101 French families between qualitative and quantitative traits related to morbid obesity and polymorphisms located in or near 15 candidate genes whose products are involved in body weight regulation. These included cholecystokinin A and B receptors (CCK-AR and CCK-BR), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R), the LIM/homeodomain islet-1 gene (Isl-1), the caudal-type homeodomain 3 (CDX-3), the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1), the beta3-adrenoceptor (beta3-AR), the fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP-2), the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), the lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the apoprotein-C2 (apo-C2), the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1). Phenotypes related to obesity such as BMI, adult life body weight gain, fasting leptin, insulin, fasting glycerol, and free fatty acids were used for nonparametric sib-pair analyses. A weak indication for linkage was obtained between the Isl-1 locus and obesity status defined by a z score over one SD of BMI (n = 226 sib pairs, pi = 0.54 +/- 0.02, P = 0.03). Moreover, a suggestive indication for linkage was found between the Isl-1 locus and BMI and leptin values (P = 0.001 and 0.0003, respectively) and leptin adjusted for BMI (P = 0.0001). Multipoint analyses for leptin trait with Isl-1 and two flanking markers (D5S418 and D5S407) showed that the logarithm of odds (LOD) score is 1.73, coinciding with the Isl-1 locus. Although marginally positive indications for linkage in subgroups of families were found with IRS-1, CPT-1, and HSL loci, our data suggested that these genes are not major contributors to obesity. Whether an obesity susceptibility gene (Isl-1 itself or another nearby gene) lies on chromosome 5q should be determined by further analyses.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed1999

Interspecies differences in the cardiac negative inotropic effects of beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of three preferential (BRL 37344, SR 58611, CL 316 243) and a partial (CGP 12177) beta-adrenoceptor (beta(3)-AR) agonists on the contractility of ventricular strips sampled from various mammalian species including humans. In the human heart, all beta(3)-AR agonists tested decreased contractility by 40 to 60% below control with an order of potency: BRL 37344 > CL 316 243 = SR 58611 >> CGP 12177. In the dog, the negative inotropic effects produced by beta(3)-AR stimulation were less pronounced than in humans, approximately 30% below control. The order of potency of beta(3)-AR agonists was CGP 12177 > BRL 37344 = SR 58611 >> CL 316 243; i.e., very different from that observed in humans. In rat, only BRL 37344 was efficient to decrease contractility. In guinea pig, only CL 316 243 significantly reduced peak tension. In both species, the reduction in peak tension did not exceed 20 to 30%. Finally, in the ferret, none of the agonists tested induced a negative inotropic effect. In dog, the negative inotropic effects of CGP 12177 were not modified by nadolol, but were abolished by bupranolol, a beta(1-3)-AR. beta(3)-AR transcripts were detected in the dog but not in the rat ventricle by using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. We conclude that cardiac negative inotropic effects related to beta(3)-AR agonist stimulation vary markedly depending on the species. A comparable interspecies variation previously has been reported concerning the lipolytic effects of beta(3)-AR agonist stimulation. Our study demonstrates that the pharmacological profile of a beta(3)-AR agonist on the human myocardium cannot be extrapolated from usual animal models.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1999

Regional and gender variations in adipose tissue lipolysis in response to weight loss.

Catecholamine-induced lipolysis was investigated in 32 obese subjects (14 men and 18 premenopausal women), aged 36-50 years, whose body mass index ranged from 30 to 42 kg/m(2). Isolated subcutaneous (subc) abdominal and femoral adipocytes were studied before and after a 15-week weight reducing program, during which mean body weight loss averaged 9 vs. 10 kg in women and men, respectively (P < 0.0001). Participants were re-examined when they were weight-stable. Fat cell weight decreased by about 15;-20% in both depots (P values ranging from 0.01 to 0.05). Epinephrine (mixed alpha2-/beta-adrenoceptor (AR) agonist) induced antilipolysis at low concentrations and a net lipolytic response at higher doses, irrespective of subjects' fatness and anatomic location of fat. Basal lipolysis, maximal lipolytic responses to isoprenaline (beta-AR agonist), dobutamine and procaterol (beta1- and beta2-AR agonists, respectively) as well as maximal antilipolytic effects of epinephrine or UK-14304 (alpha2-AR agonist) were similar before and after weight reduction. However, both beta- and beta2-AR lipolytic sensitivities and the beta-AR density were increased in both genders after weight reduction, this effect being more marked in subc abdominal than in femoral adipocytes (P values ranging from 0.001 to 0.05). The alpha2-AR antilipolytic sensitivity was reduced in adipose cells from both regions in women, but only in subc abdominal adipocytes in men (P < 0.05), although the alpha2-AR density remained unchanged after weight reduction. In conclusion, a moderate weight loss leads to a higher adipose cell lipolytic efficiency which is associated with changes at receptor levels (mainly an increased beta2- and a decreased alpha2-AR sensitivities), in both genders.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1999

Decreased expression and function of adipocyte hormone-sensitive lipase in subcutaneous fat cells of obese subjects.

Decreased lipolytic effect of catecholamines in adipose tissue has repeatedly been demonstrated in obesity and may be a cause of excess accumulation of body fat. However, the mechanisms behind this lipolysis defect are unclear. The role of hormone-sensitive lipase was examined using abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes from 34 obese drug-free and otherwise healthy males or females and 14 non-obese control subjects. The enzyme catalyzes the rate-limiting step of the lipolysis pathway. The maximum lipolytic capacity of fat cells was significantly decreased in obesity when measured using either a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor agonist (isoprenaline) or a phosphodiesterase resistant cyclic AMP analogue (dibutyryl cyclic AMP). Likewise, enzyme activity, protein expression, and mRNA of hormone-sensitive lipase were significantly decreased in adipocytes of obese subjects. The findings were not influenced by age or gender. The data suggest that a decreased expression of hormone-sensitive lipase in subcutaneous fat cells, which in turn causes decreased enzyme function and impaired lipolytic capacity of adipocytes, is present in obesity. Impaired expression of the hormone-sensitive lipase gene might at least in part explain the enzyme defect.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Regulation of hormone-sensitive lipase expression by glucose in 3T3-F442A adipocytes.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in adipocyte lipolysis. We have studied the effect of glucose and long chain fatty acids on the HSL mRNA content of 3T3-F442A adipocytes. Exposure of the cells for 32 h to a medium without glucose led to a decrease by a factor of 2.5-3 in the HSL mRNA without a change in C/EBP alpha mRNA or triglyceride content of the adipocytes. The reduction in HSL mRNA level was accompanied by a decrease in HSL total activity. The effect of glucose exposure was observed after 24 h of exposure and was reversible. Treatment of the adipocytes with oleate did not affect HSL expression. These data show that glucose modulates HSL gene expression and hence could participate in the regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Human hormone-sensitive lipase: expression and large-scale purification from a baculovirus/insect cell system.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a key enzyme in lipid metabolism and overall energy homeostasis in mammals. It catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the hydrolysis of triglyceride stores in the adipocytes, delivering free fatty acids for their use as energy substrates. HSL activity is under acute hormonal and neural control, mediated through reversible phosphorylation of the enzyme. Emerging data from clinical studies indicate that HSL deficiency or malfunction is associated with several pathological situations in humans. In order to perform a biochemical characterization of human HSL, and to elucidate its molecular properties, purification of homogeneous protein in large amounts is required. Here, we describe the expression and purification of a catalytically active recombinant human HSL. The process allows the purification of milligram amounts of homogeneous protein, and should provide a valuable tool for a thorough molecular characterization of the enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

mRNA expression of the long and short forms of uncoupling protein-3 in obese and lean humans.

Uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) is a mitochondrial protein expressed in skeletal muscle, an important site of thermogenesis in humans. By uncoupling respiration from ATP synthesis, UCP3 might be involved in the control of energy expenditure. Two transcripts encoding long (UCP3L) and short (UCP3S) form are generated from the human UCP3 gene. UCP3S is predicted to encode a protein which lacks the C-terminus of UCP3L, a region which contains motifs critical for uncoupling activity. We have investigated the regulation of UCP3L and UCP3S mRNAs in lean and obese humans. A specific reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction assay was developed to separately quantify the two mRNAs. Each transcript represents half of total UCP3 mRNA in 16 vastus lateralis muscle samples. The amounts of UCP3L and UCP3S mRNAs did not differ between obese and lean subjects. The effect of fasting was studied in six lean and seven obese subjects maintained on a hypocaloric diet (1045 kJ/d) for 5 days. Calorie restriction results in an approximately threefold increase of UCP3L and UCP3S mRNA levels. The induction was similar in lean and obese subjects. The data suggest that there is no major alteration of UCP3 gene expression and regulation at the level of transcription and alternative splicing in skeletal muscle of obese subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The putative role of the hormone-sensitive lipase gene in the pathogenesis of Type II diabetes mellitus and abdominal obesity.

Impaired lipolysis has been proposed as a pathogenic factor contributing to clustering of abdominal obesity and dyslipidaemia in Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus--that is, the metabolic syndrome (MSDR). As this syndrome clusters in families, alterations in the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) gene could contribute to the genetic predisposition to MSDR. To test this hypothesis we carried out population and intrafamily association studies in individuals with MSDR, using a polymorphic marker (LIPE) in the HSL gene. There was a significant difference in allele frequency distribution between 235 Type II diabetic patients and 146 control subjects (p = 0.002), particularly between 78 abdominally obese Type II diabetic patients with MSDR and the control group (p = 0.010). An extended transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed transmission disequilibrium of 66 alleles to 42 nondiabetic, abdominally obese offspring in families with Type II diabetes (p < 0.05). A slight difference in allele frequency distribution was seen between 71 individuals from the lowest and 71 from the highest tertile of isoprenaline-induced lipolysis in fat tissue (p = 0.07). No missense mutations were found with single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) in 20 abdominally obese subjects with MSDR. In conclusion, our population and intrafamily association studies suggest that the LIPE marker in the HSL gene is in linkage disequilibrium with an allele and/or gene which increases susceptibility to abdominal obesity and thereby possibly to Type II diabetes.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1998

Endurance training changes in lipolytic responsiveness of obese adipose tissue.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise training on the lipolytic response of adipose tissue in obese subjects. Thirteen men (body mass index = 36.9 +/- 1.3 kg/m2) were submitted to aerobic physical training on a cycloergometer (30-45 min, 4 days a wk) for 3 mo. Adipocyte sensitivity to the action of catecholamines and insulin was studied in vitro before and after training. Training induced a decrease in the percentage of fat mass (P < 0.05) without changing the body weight. Basal lipolysis and hormone-sensitive lipase activity were significantly decreased after training (P < 0.05). The lipolytic effects of epinephrine, isoprenaline (beta-adrenoceptor agonist), and dobutamine (beta1-adrenoceptor agonist) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) but not those of procaterol (beta2-adrenoceptor agonist). The antilipolytic effects of alpha2-adrenoceptor and insulin were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Lipolysis stimulation by agents acting at the postreceptor level was unchanged after training. In conclusion, aerobic physical training in obese male subjects modifies adipose tissue lipolysis through an enhancement of beta-adrenergic response and a concomitant blunting of adipocyte antilipolytic activity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Uncoupling protein-2 messenger ribonucleic acid expression during very-low-calorie diet in obese premenopausal women.

Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial protein expressed in a wide range of human tissues. By uncoupling respiration from ATP synthesis, UCP2 might be involved in the control of energy expenditure. We have investigated UCP2 gene expression in human adipose tissue. In eight subjects, we found a positive correlation (r = 0.91, P < 0.002) between subcutaneous and visceral fat depots UCP2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, suggesting that UCP2 mRNA level in subcutaneous adipose tissue is a good index of UCP2 gene expression in whole body adipose tissues. The effect of a 25-day very-low-calorie diet un UCP2 mRNA level and resting metabolic rate was investigated in eight obese premenopausal women. There was no difference in UCP2 mRNA levels before and during the diet. After 25 days of hypocaloric diet, a positive correlation was found between adipose tissue UCP2 mRNA level and resting metabolic rate adjusted for lean body mass (r = 0.82, P < 0.01). These results show that very-low-calorie diet, unlike short-term fasting, is not associated with an induction in UCP2 mRNA expression, and that adipose tissue UCP2 mRNA levels may be related to variations in resting energy expenditure in humans.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Hormone-sensitive lipase expression and activity in relation to lipolysis in human fat cells.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in adipocyte lipolysis. The activity of HSL is thought to be primarily regulated by reversible phosphorylation. However, the regulation of HSL activity by pre-translational mechanisms has been poorly studied. The present studies were undertaken to explore the relationship between the levels of HSL protein and mRNA expressions and the lipolytic capacity. The study was performed in human abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes with identical sizes but having either a high (HL) or low (LL) lipolytic capacity (n = 16). Basal and maximal lipolysis induced by catecholamines, an adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin, and a cyclic AMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP were 50% lower in LL- in comparison with HL-fat cells (P < 0.05 or better). No differences in drug sensitivity were found. HSL activity and quantity were about 50% lower in LL- compared with HL-fat cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA ratio between HSL and gamma-actin was 35% lower in LL- compared with HL-fat cells (P < 0.05). There was a strong linear correlation between the protein and enzymatic HSL measurements (r2 = 0.91). In addition, the maximum lipolytic capacity was significantly correlated with HSL activity (r2 = 0.75) and HSL protein amount (r2 = 0.64). It is concluded that hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) expression, measured either as total HSL protein by Western blot analysis or as total amount of activatable HSL enzyme, is a major determinant of the maximum lipolytic capacity of human fat cells. In addition, HSL protein expression is at least, in part, determined by HSL mRNA expression.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of the promoter of human adipocyte hormone-sensitive lipase.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) catalyses the rate-limiting step of adipose tissue lipolysis. The human HSL gene is composed of nine exons encoding the adipocyte form and a testis-specific coding exon. Northern blot analyses showed that human adipocytes express a 2.8 kb HSL mRNA, suggesting the presence of a short (20-150 bp) 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR). A single 5'-UTR of approx. 70 nt was detected in RNase H mapping experiments. Two 5'-UTRs of 70 and 170 nt respectively were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and cDNA library screenings. RNase protection experiments, with probes derived from the two products, showed that human adipocyte HSL mRNA contains only the 70 nt product. Primer extension analysis mapped the transcriptional start site 74 nt upstream of the start codon. In HT29, a human cell line expressing HSL, the presence of the short or the long 5'-UTR is mutually exclusive. The short and long 5'-UTR exons were located 1.5 and approx. 13 kb respectively upstream of the first coding exon. Various portions of the 5'-flanking region upstream of the short product exon were linked to the luciferase gene and transfected into cells that express HSL (HT29 cells and rat adipocytes) and do not express HSL (HeLa cells). High luciferase activity was found for constructs containing the sequence between nt -2400 and -86, but not for shorter constructs. An analysis of 14 kb of genomic sequence revealed the presence of five DNase I hypersensitive sites associated with active gene transcription. Three of the sites are located in the vicinity of the transcriptional start site and could be linked to the minimal promoter activity. Two of the sites are located downstream of the exon containing the start codon, suggesting the presence of intronic regulatory elements.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed1997

Increased uncoupling protein-2 and -3 mRNA expression during fasting in obese and lean humans.

Uncoupling protein-2 and -3 (UCP2 and UCP3) are mitochondrial proteins that show high sequence homology with the brown adipocyte-specific UCP1. UCP1 induces heat production by uncoupling respiration from ATP synthesis. UCP2 is widely expressed in human tissues, whereas UCP3 expression seems restricted to skeletal muscle, an important site of thermogenesis in humans. We have investigated the regulation of UCP2 and UCP3 gene expression in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue from lean and obese humans. UCP2 and -3 mRNA levels were not correlated with body mass index (BMI) in skeletal muscle, but a positive correlation (r = 0.55, P < 0.01, n = 22) was found between UCP2 mRNA level in adipose tissue and BMI. The effect of fasting was investigated in eight lean and six obese subjects maintained on a hypocaloric diet (1,045 kJ/d) for 5 d. Calorie restriction induced a similar 2-2.5-fold increase in UCP2 and -3 mRNA levels in lean and obese subjects. To study the effect of insulin on UCP gene expression, six lean and five obese subjects underwent a 3-h euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Insulin infusion did not modify UCP2 and -3 mRNA levels. In conclusion, the similar induction of gene expression observed during fasting in lean and obese subjects shows that there is no major alteration of UCP2 and -3 gene regulation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of obese subjects. The increase in UCP2 and -3 mRNA levels suggests a role for these proteins in the metabolic adaptation to fasting.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

Species-specific alternative splicing generates a catalytically inactive form of human hormone-sensitive lipase.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) catalyses the rate-limiting step of adipose tissue lipolysis. The enzyme is also expressed in steroidogenic tissues, mammary gland, muscle tissues and macrophages. A novel HSL mRNA termed hHSL-S, 228 bp shorter than the full-length HSL mRNA, was detected in human adipocytes. hHSL-S mRNA results from the in-frame skipping of exon 6, which encodes the serine residue of the catalytic triad. The corresponding 80 kDa protein was identified in human adipocytes after immunoprecipitation. The truncated protein expressed in COS cells showed neither lipase nor esterase activity but was phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. hHSL-S mRNA was found in all human tissues expressing HSL, except brown adipose tissue from newborns. It represented approx. 20% of total HSL transcripts in human subcutaneous adipocytes. No alternative splicing was detected in other mammals. Human and mouse three-exon HSL minigenes transfected into primate and rodent cell lines reproduced the splicing pattern of the endogenous HSL genes. Analysis of hybrid human/mouse minigenes transfected into human cell lines showed that cis-acting elements responsible for the skipping of human exon 6 were restricted to a 247 bp region including exon 6 and the first 19 nt of intron 6. Moreover, divergence in exonic splicing elements between mouse and human was shown to be critical for the species-specific alternative splicing.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1997

Selective release of human adipocyte fatty acids according to molecular structure.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the mobilization of individual fatty acids from human white fat cells. Mammary adipose tissue from eight healthy non-obese women in their normal dietary state was collected, and isolated adipocytes were incubated with lipolytic agents. The mobilization of 34 individual fatty acids was measured by comparing the composition of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) with that of the triacylglycerols (TAG) from which they originated through lipolysis. Compared with TAG, NEFA were enriched in some polyunsaturated fatty acids with 18-20 carbon atoms. Conversely, the percentage of very-long-chain (20-22 carbon atoms) saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids was approx. 2 times lower in NEFA than in TAG. The relative mobilization (% in NEFA/% in TAG) of the most readily mobilized fatty acid (C20:5, n-3; 2.25) was more than 6-fold higher than that of the least readily mobilized (C22:1,n-11; 0.37). Relationships were found between the molecular structure of fatty acids and their mobilization rate. For a given chain length, the relative mobilization rate increased with increasing unsaturation, whereas for a given unsaturation, it decreased with increasing chain length. The relative mobilization rate for essential fatty acids decreased in the following order: C20:5,n-3>C20:4,n-6>C18:3,n-3>C18:2, n-6>C22:6,n-3. Interestingly, C20:5,n-3 and C20:4,n-6, which are respectively precursors of the 3- and 2-series of prostaglandins, were preferentially mobilized. It is concluded that fatty acids are selectively mobilized from human fat cells according to molecular structure, in full agreement with animal studies. By modulating the qualitative fatty acid supply to organs and by remodelling the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue, this selectivity would be relevant for consideration in physiology, health and epidemiology.

Adipocytes↗