Central s-resistin deficiency ameliorates hypothalamic inflammation and increases whole body insulin sensitivity

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 2;8(1):3921. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22255-3.

Abstract

S-resistin, a non-secretable resistin isoform, acts as an intracrine factor that regulates adipocyte maduration, inflammatory and insulin response in 3T3-L1 cells. However, its intracellular function in vivo is still unknown. In this study, we analyze the central role of s-resistin, decreasing its hypothalamic expression using an intracerebroventricular injection of lentiviral RNAi. The data present herein support an improvement in the hypothalamic leptin and insulin signaling pathway upon s-resistin downregulation. Furthermore, hypothalamic levels of pro-inflammatory markers decrease, meanwhile those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increases. Interestingly, peripheral NEFA decreases alike circulating leptin and resistin levels. These data demonstrate that hypothalamic s-resistin controls fuel mobilization and adipokines secretion. Importantly, central s-resistin downregulation improves systemic insulin sensitivity, as demonstrated after an IPGTT. Interestingly, our data also indicate that s-resistin downregulation could improve hypothalamic inflammation in aged Wistar rats. Altogether, our findings suggest that hypothalamic s-resistin seems to be a key regulator of the brain-fat axis which links inflammation with metabolic homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / immunology
  • Adipocytes / metabolism*
  • Adipocytes / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / immunology
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism*
  • Hypothalamus / pathology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Resistin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Resistin / genetics
  • Resistin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Insulin
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Resistin
  • Retn protein, rat