Glutathionylated lipid aldehydes are products of adipocyte oxidative stress and activators of macrophage inflammation

Diabetes. 2014 Jan;63(1):89-100. doi: 10.2337/db13-0777. Epub 2013 Sep 23.

Abstract

Obesity-induced insulin resistance has been linked to adipose tissue lipid aldehyde production and protein carbonylation. Trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) is the most abundant lipid aldehyde in murine adipose tissue and is metabolized by glutathione S-transferase A4 (GSTA4), producing glutathionyl-HNE (GS-HNE) and its metabolite glutathionyl-1,4-dihydroxynonene (GS-DHN). The objective of this study was to evaluate adipocyte production of GS-HNE and GS-DHN and their effect on macrophage inflammation. Compared with lean controls, GS-HNE and GS-DHN were more abundant in visceral adipose tissue of ob/ob mice and diet-induced obese, insulin-resistant mice. High glucose and oxidative stress induced production of GS-HNE and GS-DHN by 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a GSTA4-dependent manner, and both glutathionylated metabolites induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α from RAW 264.7 and primary peritoneal macrophages. Targeted microarray analysis revealed GS-HNE and GS-DHN induced expression of inflammatory genes, including C3, C4b, c-Fos, igtb2, Nfkb1, and Nos2. Transgenic overexpression of GSTA4 in mouse adipose tissue led to increased production of GS-HNE associated with higher fasting glucose levels and moderately impaired glucose tolerance. These results indicated adipocyte oxidative stress results in GSTA4-dependent production of proinflammatory glutathione metabolites, GS-HNE and GS-DHN, which may represent a novel mechanism by which adipocyte dysfunction results in tissue inflammation and insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / drug effects
  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Aldehyde Reductase / metabolism
  • Aldehydes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Aldehyde Reductase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Glutathione
  • Glucose