PDGFR beta kinase inhibitor reduces adipogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity in mice

Author(s)

Angélica Costa Aranha Camacho Pereira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2011-08-23

Examining board members

Mario José Abdalla Saad; Marco Antonio de Carvalho Filho; Carla Roberta de Oliveira Carvalho

• Advisor: Mario José Abdalla Saad

Abstract

Obesity can be defined as a disease in which body fat is excessively accumulated. Adipogenesis is a complex and not completely known phenomenon. Recent studies showed that adipocyte progenitor cells are exclusively found in adipose tissue and express some markers like PDGFRß (Platelet-derived growth factor ß). AG1296 (6,7-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-quinoxaline) is a potent and selective inhibitor of PDGF receptor kinase. In this context, the main objective of this work was to investigate if the inhibition of PDGF receptor through AG1296 would be able to affect white adipose tissue generation in high-fat-diet-fed and standard-chow-fed mice. We also investigated if this inhibition would have an effect on the insulin sensitivity in these studied groups. For this purpose, six-week-old male Swiss mice were divided into four groups and assigned to receive the following diet and/or treatment: the control group (C) received standard rodent diet, the second group (C + AG1296) received standard rodent diet plus AG1296 (50 mg/Kg/day by gavage), the third group (HFD) received high fat diet (55% calories from fat, 29% calories from carbohydrate and 16% from protein) and the fourth group (HFD+AG1296) received high fat diet plus AG1296. Body weight and food intake were measured during the treatment (7 and 15 days). After that, tissues (epididymal, retroperitoneal and mesenteric adipose tissue, liver and muscle) were extracted and processed. Through Western blot analysis, we were able to quantify the main proteins related to adipogenesis (SREBP-1c, C/EBP? e PPAR?) and the phosphorylation of the main proteins from insulin pathway (IR, IRS1 and Akt). Our results indicated that on control mice, after 15 days of treatment with AG1296, there was a reduction on adipose fat pad, associated with reduction in some adipogenic proteins, an increase in insulin signaling in liver and muscle and a reduction in fasting plasma glucose. Futhermore, on mice fed a high fat diet, after 7 days of treatment with AG1296, it was possible to observe a reduction on adipogenesis proteins and a reduction in epididymal fat pad. Also, there was an improvement in insulin signaling pathway and in glucose tolerance. In conclusion, our results suggest that PDGFRß inhibition might have an important role in adipogenesis and in insulin signaling and could be a potential target for preventing obesity and insulin resistance (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/03981-7 - Effect of a PDGFr inhibitor in the transition from preadipocyte to adipocyte in hyperlipidic diet treated mice
• Grantee: Angélica Costa Aranha Camacho Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master