Soymorphin-5, a soy-derived μ-opioid peptide, decreases glucose and triglyceride levels through activating adiponectin and PPARα systems in diabetic KKAy mice

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Feb 15;302(4):E433-40. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00161.2011. Epub 2011 Nov 29.

Abstract

Soymorphin-5 (YPFVV) derived from soybean β-conglycinin β-subunit is a μ-opioid agonist peptide having anxiolytic-like activity. Here, we show that soymorphin-5 improves glucose and lipid metabolism after long-term oral administration to KKAy mice, a type 2 diabetes model animal. Soymorphin-5 inhibited hyperglycemia without an increase in plasma insulin levels in KKAy mice. Soymorphin-5 also decreased plasma and liver triglyceride (TG) levels and liver weight, suggesting that soymorphin-5 improved lipid metabolism. Soymorphin-5 increased plasma adiponectin concentration and liver mRNA expression of AdipoR2, a subtype of adiponectin receptor that is involved in stimulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α pathway and fatty acid β-oxidation. The expressions of the mRNA of PPARα and its target genes acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 A, and uncoupling protein-2, in the liver were also increased after oral administration of soymorphin-5. Furthermore, des-Tyr-soymorphin-5 (PFVV) without μ-opioid and anxiolytic-like activities did not decrease blood glucose levels in KKAy mice. These results suggest that μ-opioid peptide soymorphin-5 improves glucose and lipid metabolism via activation of the adiponectin and PPARα system and subsequent increases of β-oxidation and energy expenditure in KKAy mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyl-CoA Oxidase / biosynthesis
  • Adiponectin / agonists*
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Ion Channels / biosynthesis
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Opioid Peptides / pharmacology*
  • PPAR alpha / agonists*
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Adiponectin / biosynthesis
  • Soybean Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Triglycerides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Uncoupling Protein 2

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Fatty Acids
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Ion Channels
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Opioid Peptides
  • PPAR alpha
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Adiponectin
  • Soybean Proteins
  • Triglycerides
  • Ucp2 protein, mouse
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • adiponectin receptor 2, mouse
  • soymorphin-5
  • Acyl-CoA Oxidase
  • Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase