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Updated: Jun 24, 2025
Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Adipocyte secreted NRG4 ameliorates age-associated metabolic dysfunction
Liwei Chen1, Ye Xuan1, Yangyang Zhu2
1Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Clinical Centre for Diabetes, Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, China.
Aging decreases NRG4, an adipokine crucial for metabolic health. Supplementing with recombinant NRG4 protein (rNRG4) in aged mice improved insulin resistance, glucose levels, and reduced liver fat and muscle loss, suggesting NRG4 as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Metabolic research
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Aging populations face rising age-related diseases, impacting quality of life.
- Adipose tissue aging contributes to systemic aging and metabolic dysfunction.
- The specific mechanisms linking adipose tissue aging and metabolic decline are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the novel adipokine NRG4 in the aging process.
- To determine if NRG4 levels change with age.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of NRG4 for age-associated metabolic dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Quantified NRG4 levels in aged mice adipose tissue and serum.
- Administered recombinant NRG4 protein (rNRG4) to aged mice.
- Assessed metabolic parameters including insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.
- Evaluated hepatic steatosis and sarcopenia markers.
- Analyzed gene expression changes post-treatment.
Main Results:
- NRG4 levels were significantly decreased in aged mice.
- rNRG4 treatment ameliorated age-associated insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
- rNRG4 administration alleviated hepatic steatosis and sarcopenia in aged mice.
- Gene expression profiles were altered following rNRG4 treatment.
Conclusions:
- NRG4 plays a significant role in regulating metabolic health during aging.
- Decreased NRG4 is a hallmark of aging and contributes to metabolic dysfunction.
- NRG4 represents a promising therapeutic target for combating age-associated metabolic diseases.
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