Effect of peripheral 5-HT on glucose and lipid metabolism in wether sheep

PLoS One. 2014 Feb 4;9(2):e88058. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088058. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

In mice, peripheral 5-HT induces an increase in the plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and bile acids, and a decrease in plasma triglyceride, NEFA and cholesterol concentrations. However, given the unique characteristics of the metabolism of ruminants relative to monogastric animals, the physiological role of peripheral 5-HT on glucose and lipid metabolism in sheep remains to be established. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of 5-HT on the circulating concentrations of metabolites and insulin using five 5-HT receptor (5HTR) antagonists in sheep. After fasting for 24 h, sheep were intravenously injected with 5-HT, following which-, plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride and NEFA concentrations were significantly elevated. In contrast, 5-HT did not affect the plasma cholesterol concentration, and it induced a decrease in bile acid concentrations. Increases in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations induced by 5-HT were attenuated by pre-treatment with Methysergide, a 5HTR 1, 2 and 7 antagonist. Additionally, decreased plasma bile acid concentrations induced by 5-HT were blocked by pre-treatment with Ketanserin, a 5HTR 2A antagonist. However, none of the 5HTR antagonists inhibited the increase in plasma triglyceride and NEFA levels induced by 5-HT. On the other hand, mRNA expressions of 5HTR1D and 1E were observed in the liver, pancreas and skeletal muscle. These results suggest that there are a number of differences in the physiological functions of peripheral 5-HT with respect to lipid metabolism between mice and sheep, though its effect on glucose metabolism appears to be similar between these species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / blood
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Pancreas / drug effects
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Sheep / blood
  • Sheep / metabolism*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Blood Glucose
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Insulin
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Triglycerides
  • Serotonin
  • Cholesterol
  • Glucose

Grants and funding

This research was supported by grants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2004), the Research Project on Development of Agricultural Products and Foods with Health-promoting benefits (NARO) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Research Fellowship for Young Scientists Program, Japan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.