Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases. The pharmacological management of MetS often involves polypharmacy, making it essential to understand how drug-metabolising enzymes, transporters, transcription factors and other proteins involved are affected under different metabolic conditions. This study investigated the relative mRNA expression of key hepatic and intestinal genes involved in drug metabolism, including Cyp1a2, Cyp3a23, Cyp2d1, Cyp2c11, Cyp2c6, Cyp2e1, Cyp7a1, Cyp2b1, Cyp2a1, Abcg5, Abcg8, Abcb1, Nr1i3, Nr1i2, Ahr, Gsta1 and Comt, in four nonobese rat models of MetS: hereditary hypertriglyceridaemic (HHTg), spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), SHR expressing transgenic human C-reactive protein (SHR-CRP), and bilaterally ovariectomised Wistar (W-OVX), compared to Wistar controls. Gene expression was quantified by RT-PCR with data normalised using the ΔΔCt method. Between the models studied, measurements showed significant differences in the liver. The upregulation of Cyp2c6 and Cyp3a23 was observed only in SHR; upregulated Cyp2d1 was found in SHR as well as in HHTg rats. The downregulated Cyp1a2 was measured in a condition of hypertriglyceridemia, postmenopause or hypertension. These findings highlight model-specific alterations in gene expression that may affect drug metabolism and interactions. The HHTg may be, in particular, a suitable model for preclinical studies focusing on intestinal drug-drug interactions in MetS-related conditions.

• Klíčová slova
• drug metabolism, metabolic syndrome, rat model,
• MeSH
• játra metabolismus   enzymologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové transportní proteiny * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• messenger RNA * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• metabolický syndrom * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• receptory cytoplazmatické a nukleární * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• systém (enzymů) cytochromů P-450 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• membránové transportní proteiny * MeSH
• messenger RNA * MeSH
• receptory cytoplazmatické a nukleární * MeSH
• systém (enzymů) cytochromů P-450 * MeSH

A new class of antidiabetic drugs - gliflozins (inhibitors of sodium glucose cotransporter-2; SGLT-2i) stimulate glucose and sodium excretion, thereby contributing to improved glycemic control, weight loss and blood pressure reduction in diabetic patients. Large clinical trials in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with empagliflozin, canagliflozin or dapagliflozin have demonstrated their excellent efficacy in improving many cardiovascular outcomes, including the reduction of death from cardiovascular diseases, non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. Moreover, the beneficial effects of SGLT-2i were also demonstrated in the decrease in proteinuria, which leads to a lower risk of progression to end-stage renal disease and thus a delay in initiation of the renal replacement therapy. Unexpectedly, their cardioprotective and renoprotective effects have been demonstrated not only in patients with diabetes but also in those without diabetes. Recently, much effort has been focused on patients with heart failure (either with reduced or preserved ejection fraction) or liver disease. Experimental studies have highlighted pleiotropic effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors beyond their natriuretic and glycosuric effects, including reduction of fibrosis, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, and others. Our results in experimental non-diabetic models of hypertension, chronic kidney disease and heart failure are partially consistent with these findings. This raises the question of whether the same mechanisms are at work in diabetic and non-diabetic conditions, and which mechanisms are responsible for the beneficial effects of gliflozins under non-diabetic conditions. Are these effects cardio-renal, metabolic, or others? This review will focus on the effects of gliflozins under different pathophysiological conditions, namely in hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure, which have been evaluated in non-diabetic rat models of these diseases. Key words: SGLT-2 inhibitor, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease, rat.

• Klíčová slova
• SGLT-2 inhibitor, Hypertension, Chronic kidney disease, Heart failure, Liver disease, Rat,
• MeSH
• glifloziny * terapeutické užití   farmakologie   MeSH
• hypoglykemika terapeutické užití   farmakologie   MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci * farmakoterapie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• glifloziny * MeSH
• hypoglykemika MeSH

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute inflammatory protein detected in obese patients with metabolic syndrome. Moreover, increased CRP levels have been linked with atherosclerotic disease, congestive heart failure, and ischemic heart disease, suggesting that it is not only a biomarker but also plays an active role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Since endothelial dysfunction plays an essential role in various cardiovascular pathologies and is characterized by increased expression of cell adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers, we aimed to detect specific markers of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) expressing human CRP. This model is genetically predisposed to the development of the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Transgenic SHR male rats (SHR-CRP) and non-transgenic SHR (SHR) at the age of 8 months were used. Metabolic profile (including serum and tissue triglyceride (TAG), serum insulin concentrations, insulin-stimulated incorporation of glucose, and serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels) was measured. In addition, human serum CRP, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and adiponectin were evaluated by means of ELISA, histological analysis was used to study morphological changes in the aorta, and western blot analysis of aortic tissue was performed to detect expression of endothelial, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers. RESULTS: The presence of human CRP was associated with significantly decreased insulin-stimulated glycogenesis in skeletal muscle, increased muscle and hepatic accumulation of TAG and decreased plasmatic cGMP concentrations, reduced adiponectin levels, and increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in the blood, suggesting pro-inflammatory and presence of multiple features of metabolic syndrome in SHR-CRP animals. Histological analysis of aortic sections did not reveal any visible morphological changes in animals from both SHR and SHR-CRP rats. Western blot analysis of the expression of proteins related to the proper function of endothelium demonstrated significant differences in the expression of p-eNOS/eNOS in the aorta, although endoglin (ENG) protein expression remained unaffected. In addition, the presence of human CRP in SHR in this study did not affect the expression of inflammatory markers, namely p-NFkB, P-selectin, and COX2 in the aorta. On the other hand, biomarkers related to oxidative stress, such as HO-1 and SOD3, were significantly changed, indicating the induction of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that CRP alone cannot fully induce the expression of endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, suggesting other risk factors of cardiovascular disorders are necessary to be involved to induce endothelial dysfunction with CRP.

• Klíčová slova
• Aorta, C-reactive protein, Endothelial dysfunction, Oxidative stress, Spontaneously hypertensive rat,
• MeSH
• adiponektin MeSH
• aorta MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• chemokin CCL2 MeSH
• hypertenze * MeSH
• inzuliny * metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolický syndrom * diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• zánět MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adiponektin MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein MeSH
• chemokin CCL2 MeSH
• CRP protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• inzuliny * MeSH

Recently, red beetroot has attracted attention as a health-promoting functional food. Studies have shown that beetroot administration can reduce blood pressure and ameliorate parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism; however, mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects of beetroot are not yet fully understood. In the current study, we analysed the effects of beetroot on parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism in two models of metabolic syndrome: (i) transgenic spontaneously hypertensive rats expressing human C-reactive protein (SHR-CRP rats), and (ii) hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HHTg) rats. Treatment with beetroot juice for 4 weeks was, in both models, associated with amelioration of oxidative stress, reduced circulating lipids, smaller visceral fat depots, and lower ectopic fat accumulation in the liver compared to the respective untreated controls. On the other hand, beetroot treatment had no significant effects on the sensitivity of the muscle and adipose tissue to insulin action in either model. Analyses of hepatic proteome revealed significantly deregulated proteins involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, mTOR signalling, inflammation, and cytoskeleton rearrangement.

• Klíčová slova
• beetroot, glycerophospholipid metabolism, hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rat, lipids, mTOR signalling, proteomics, spontaneously hypertensive rat,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Gliflozins (inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) show many beneficial actions beyond their antidiabetic effects. The underlying mechanisms of these additional protective effects are still not well understood, especially under non-diabetic conditions. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of empagliflozin in young (3-month-old) and adult (12-month-old) male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) expressing human C-reactive protein (CRP) in the liver. SHR-CRP rats are a non-diabetic model of metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and organ damage. Empagliflozin was given in a daily dose of 10 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks. Both age groups of SHR-CRP rats treated with empagliflozin had lower body weight, decreased weight of fat depots, reduced ectopic fat accumulation in the liver and kidneys, and decreased levels of plasma insulin and β-hydroxybutyrate. Empagliflozin effectively reduced ectopic renal fat accumulation, and was associated with decreased inflammation. Exclusively in young rats, decreased microalbuminuria after empagliflozin treatment was accompanied by attenuated oxidative stress. In adult animals, empagliflozin also improved left ventricle function. In conclusion, in young animals, the beneficial renoprotective effects of empagliflozin could be ascribed to reduced lipid deposition in the kidney and the attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation. In contrast, hepatic lipid metabolism was ameliorated in adult rats.

• Klíčová slova
• SGLT-2 inhibitor, SHR-CRP, age, gene expression, lipid metabolism,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Mutations of the TMEM70 gene disrupt the biogenesis of the ATP synthase and represent the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive encephalo-cardio-myopathy with neonatal onset. Patient tissues show isolated defects in the ATP synthase, leading to the impaired mitochondrial synthesis of ATP and insufficient energy provision. In the current study, we tested the efficiency of gene complementation by using a transgenic rescue approach in spontaneously hypertensive rats with the targeted Tmem70 gene (SHR-Tmem70ko/ko), which leads to embryonic lethality. We generated SHR-Tmem70ko/ko knockout rats expressing the Tmem70 wild-type transgene (SHR-Tmem70ko/ko,tg/tg) under the control of the EF-1α universal promoter. Transgenic rescue resulted in viable animals that showed the variable expression of the Tmem70 transgene across the range of tissues and only minor differences in terms of the growth parameters. The TMEM70 protein was restored to 16-49% of the controls in the liver and heart, which was sufficient for the full biochemical complementation of ATP synthase biogenesis as well as for mitochondrial energetic function in the liver. In the heart, we observed partial biochemical complementation, especially in SHR-Tmem70ko/ko,tg/0 hemizygotes. As a result, this led to a minor impairment in left ventricle function. Overall, the transgenic rescue of Tmem70 in SHR-Tmem70ko/ko knockout rats resulted in the efficient complementation of ATP synthase deficiency and thus in the successful genetic treatment of an otherwise fatal mitochondrial disorder.

• Klíčová slova
• ATP synthase deficiency, TMEM70 factor, gene therapy, mitochondria disease, transgenic rescue,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Increased plasma total cysteine (tCys) has been associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome in human and some animal studies but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the effects of high cysteine diet administered to SHR-CRP transgenic rats, a model of metabolic syndrome and inflammation. SHR-CRP rats were fed either standard (3.2 g cystine/kg diet) or high cysteine diet (HCD, enriched with additional 4 g L-cysteine/kg diet). After 4 weeks, urine, plasma and tissue samples were collected and parameters of metabolic syndrome, sulfur metabolites and hepatic gene expression were evaluated. Rats on HCD exhibited similar body weights and weights of fat depots, reduced levels of serum insulin, and reduced oxidative stress in the liver. The HCD did not change concentrations of tCys in tissues and body fluids while taurine in tissues and body fluids, and urinary sulfate were significantly increased. In contrast, betaine levels were significantly reduced possibly compensating for taurine elevation. In summary, increased Cys intake did not induce obesity while it ameliorated insulin resistance in the SHR-CRP rats, possibly due to beneficial effects of accumulating taurine.

• MeSH
• adipozita * MeSH
• cystein metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• inzulinová rezistence * MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• metabolismus lipidů MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cystein MeSH

Methylglyoxal (MG), a potent precursor of advanced glycation end-products (AGE), is increased in metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. MG and other dicarbonyl metabolites are detoxified by the glyoxalase system in which glyoxalase 1, coded by the Glo1 gene, serves as the rate-limiting enzyme. In this study, we analyzed the effects of Glo1 downregulation on glucose and lipid metabolism parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by targeting the Glo1 gene (SHR-Glo1+/- heterozygotes). Compared to SHR wild-type animals, SHR-Glo1+/- rats showed significantly reduced Glo1 expression and lower GLO1 activity in tissues associated with increased MG levels. In contrast to SHR controls, SHR-Glo1+/- rats exhibited lower relative weight of epididymal fat, reduced ectopic fat accumulation in the liver and heart, and decreased serum triglycerides. In addition, compared to controls, SHR-Glo1+/- rats showed reduced serum insulin and increased basal and insulin stimulated incorporation of glucose into white adipose tissue lipids (lipogenesis). Reduced ectopic fat accumulation in the heart was associated with significantly increased pAMPK/AMPK ratio and GLUT4 activity. These results provide evidence that Glo1 downregulation in SHR is associated with reduced adiposity and ectopic fat accumulation, most likely mediated by AMPK activation in the heart.

• Klíčová slova
• AMPK, GLUT4, Glo1 gene knockdown, adipose tissue, heart, insulin resistance, methylglyoxal, spontaneously hypertensive rat,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Chronic low-grade inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. In the current study, we tested the effects of salsalate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in an animal model of inflammation and metabolic syndrome using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that transgenically express human C-reactive protein (SHR-CRP rats). We treated 15-month-old male transgenic SHR-CRP rats and nontransgenic SHR with salsalate (200 mg/kg/day) mixed as part of a standard diet for 4 weeks. A corresponding untreated control group of male transgenic SHR-CRP and SHR rats were fed a standard diet without salsalate. In the SHR-CRP transgenic strain, salsalate treatment decreased circulating concentrations of the inflammatory markers TNF-α and MCP-1, reduced oxidative stress in the liver and kidney, increased sensitivity of skeletal muscles to insulin action and improved tolerance to glucose. In SHR controls with no CRP-induced inflammation, salsalate treatment reduced body weight, decreased concentrations of serum free fatty acids and total and HDL cholesterol and increased palmitate oxidation and incorporation in brown adipose tissue. Salsalate regulated inflammation by affecting the expression of genes from MAPK signalling and NOD-like receptor signalling pathways and lipid metabolism by affecting hepatic expression of genes that favour lipid oxidation from PPAR-α signalling pathways. These findings suggest that salsalate has metabolic effects beyond suppressing inflammation.

• MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein biosyntéza   genetika   MeSH
• geneticky modifikovaná zvířata genetika   MeSH
• hnědá tuková tkáň metabolismus   MeSH
• hypertenze farmakoterapie   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• inzulinová rezistence genetika   MeSH
• játra metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• kyseliny mastné neesterifikované metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolický syndrom farmakoterapie   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• metabolismus lipidů účinky léků   MeSH
• NLR proteiny biosyntéza   MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   MeSH
• PPAR alfa biosyntéza   MeSH
• salicylany aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• TNF-alfa biosyntéza   MeSH
• zánět farmakoterapie   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• C-reaktivní protein MeSH
• kyseliny mastné neesterifikované MeSH
• NLR proteiny MeSH
• PPAR alfa MeSH
• salicylany MeSH
• salicylsalicylic acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• TNF-alfa MeSH

Inflammation and oxidative and dicarbonyl stress play important roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Metformin is the first-line drug of choice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes because it effectively suppresses gluconeogenesis in the liver. However, its "pleiotropic" effects remain controversial. In the current study, we tested the effects of metformin on inflammation, oxidative and dicarbonyl stress in an animal model of inflammation and metabolic syndrome, using spontaneously hypertensive rats that transgenically express human C-reactive protein (SHR-CRP). We treated 8-month-old male transgenic SHR-CRP rats with metformin (5 mg/kg/day) mixed as part of a standard diet for 4 weeks. A corresponding untreated control group of male transgenic SHR-CRP rats were fed a standard diet without metformin. In a similar fashion, we studied a group of nontransgenic SHR treated with metformin and an untreated group of nontransgenic SHR controls. In each group, we studied 6 animals. Parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism and oxidative and dicarbonyl stress were measured using standard methods. Gene expression profiles were determined using Affymetrix GeneChip Arrays. Statistical significance was evaluated by two-way ANOVA. In the SHR-CRP transgenic strain, we found that metformin treatment decreased circulating levels of inflammatory response marker IL-6, TNFα and MCP-1 while levels of human CRP remained unchanged. Metformin significantly reduced oxidative stress (levels of conjugated dienes and TBARS) and dicarbonyl stress (levels of methylglyoxal) in left ventricles, but not in kidneys. No significant effects of metformin on oxidative and dicarbonyl stress were observed in SHR controls. In addition, metformin treatment reduced adipose tissue lipolysis associated with human CRP. Possible molecular mechanisms of metformin action-studied by gene expression profiling in the liver-revealed deregulated genes from inflammatory and insulin signaling, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and gluconeogenesis pathways. It can be concluded that in the presence of high levels of human CRP, metformin protects against inflammation and oxidative and dicarbonyl stress in the heart, but not in the kidney. Accordingly, these cardioprotective effects of metformin might be especially effective in diabetic patients with high levels of CRP.

• MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein biosyntéza   genetika   MeSH
• cytokiny metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipolýza účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• metformin farmakologie   MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• potkani inbrední SHR MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• proteinkinasy aktivované AMP genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• pyruvaldehyd metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• C-reaktivní protein MeSH
• cytokiny MeSH
• glukosa MeSH
• metformin MeSH
• proteinkinasy aktivované AMP MeSH
• pyruvaldehyd MeSH