AMPK β1 activation suppresses antipsychotic-induced hyperglycemia in mice

Olanzapine (OLZ) is a second-generation antipsychotic that is used to treat schizophrenia but also causes acute hyperglycemia. This study aimed to determine if the ablation of AMPK β1-containing complexes potentiates acute OLZ-induced metabolic dysfunction and if the activation of AMPK β1 suppresses these effects. Female AMPK β1^-/- or wild-type (WT) control mice were treated with OLZ, and changes in blood glucose, serum and liver metabolites, whole-body fuel oxidation, and pyruvate-induced increases in blood glucose were measured. Additionally, WT mice were cotreated with OLZ and A769662, a specific AMPK β1 activator, and we determined if cotreatment protected against acute, OLZ-induced metabolic dysfunction. OLZ-induced increases in blood glucose were exacerbated in AMPK β1^-/- mice compared with WT mice, and this was paralleled by greater OLZ-induced increases in markers of liver glucose production, such as pyruvate tolerance, serum glucagon, and glucagon responsiveness. Cotreatment with A769662 attenuated OLZ-induced increases in blood glucose, serum nonesterified fatty acid, and glycerol. Furthermore, this effect was absent in AMPK β1^-/- mice, consistent with A769662's specificity for the AMPK β1 subunit. Reductions in AMPK activity potentiate the effects of acute OLZ treatment on blood glucose, whereas specifically targeting AMPK β1-containing complexes is sufficient to protect against OLZ-induced hyperglycemia.-Shamshoum, H., Medak, K. D., Townsend, L. K., Ashworth, K. E., Bush, N. D., Hahn, M. K., Kemp, B. E., Wright, D. C. AMPK β1 activation suppresses antipsychotic-induced hyperglycemia in mice.