Critical role of Kupffer cells in the management of diet-induced diabetes and obesity

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Jul 31;385(3):351-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.05.070. Epub 2009 May 20.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Kupffer cell in glucose metabolism and hepatic insulin sensitivity in mice. Both phagocytic activity and secretory capacity of Kupffer cells were blunted 24h after GdCl3 administration. Glucose tolerance--evaluated following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)--was higher in GdCl3-treated mice whereas fasting insulinemia and HOMA-IR index decreased. The improvement of glucose tolerance and hepatic insulin signalling pathway after inhibition of Kupffer cells was supported by a lower hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme expression and a higher phosphorylation of Akt upon insulin challenge. Moreover, fasting hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance--induced by high fat (HF) diet--were improved through chronic administration of GdCl3. Interestingly, the inhibition of Kupffer cell exerted antiobesity effects in HF-fed mice, and lowered hepatic steatosis. Therefore, strategies targeting Kupffer cell functions could be a promising approach to counteract obesity and related metabolic disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Gadolinium / pharmacology
  • Gluconeogenesis
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Kupffer Cells / drug effects
  • Kupffer Cells / physiology*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Insulin
  • Gadolinium
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Glucose
  • gadolinium chloride