High mitochondrial redox potential may promote induction and activation of UCP2 in hepatocytes during hepatothermic therapy

Although uncoupling protein-1 is a key mediator of thermogenesis in activated brown fat, the more recently characterized uncoupling proteins-2 and -3 do not appear to influence basal metabolism, but rather may function to diminish excessive mitochondrial superoxide production when mitochondrial redox potential is high. Under these circumstances, superoxide within the mitochondrial matrix directly activates uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2), and may also promote induction of this protein. Normal healthy hepatocytes do not express UCP2, but this protein is induced in hepatocytes that are steatotic or that are treated with agents that boost superoxide production. It is proposed that induction and activation of UCP2 may play a role in the thermogenesis evoked by hepatothermic therapy, a strategy designed to decrease body fat by maximizing hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Under these conditions, high mitochondrial redox potential would be expected, and induction of UCP2's uncoupling activity would represent a homeostatically appropriate antioxidant response.