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Published on: March 17, 2023
Butyrate regulates leptin expression through different signaling pathways in adipocytes
Mohamed Mohamed Soliman1, Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed, Alaa-Eldin Salah-Eldin
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha Universities, P.O 13736, Egypt. mohamedsoliman8896@yahoo.com
Journal of Veterinary Science
|November 30, 2011
Summary
Butyrate, a fatty acid, stimulates leptin expression in human fat cells by activating specific signaling pathways. This finding reveals a novel mechanism for regulating body weight and energy balance.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolism
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Leptin is a key adipocytokine regulating body weight and energy homeostasis.
- Leptin expression is influenced by hormones and fatty acids.
- Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid serving as an energy source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of butyrate in regulating leptin expression in human adipocytes.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in butyrate-mediated leptin regulation.
Main Methods:
- Differentiated human adipocytes were treated with varying concentrations of butyrate.
- Leptin mRNA expression was analyzed using Northern blot.
- Signal transduction pathways were investigated using specific inhibitors and Northern blotting.
Main Results:
- Butyrate significantly stimulated leptin mRNA expression in a time-dependent manner.
- Butyrate activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phospho-CREB signaling.
- Inhibitors of G(i) protein, MAPK, and PI3K pathways abolished butyrate-induced leptin expression.
Conclusions:
- Butyrate regulates leptin expression at the transcriptional level in human adipocytes.
- This regulation involves G(i) protein-coupled receptors specific for short-chain fatty acids.
- MAPK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways mediate butyrate's effect on leptin expression.
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