Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model for Obesity Pharmacology Development

Am J Ther. 2016 Nov/Dec;23(6):e1363-e1370. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000061.

Abstract

The Caenorhabditis elegans model is a rapid and inexpensive method to address pharmacologic questions. We describe the use of C. elegans to explore 2 pharmacologic questions concerning candidate antiobesity drugs and illustrate its potential usefulness in pharmacologic research: (1) to determine a ratio of betahistine-olanzapine that blocks the olanzapine-induced intestinal fat deposition (IFD) as detected by Nile red staining and (2) to identify the mechanism of action of a pharmaceutical candidate AB-101 that reduces IFD. Olanzapine (53 μg/mL) increased the IFD (12.1 ± 0.1%, P < 0.02), which was blocked by betahistine (763 μg/mL, 39.3 ± 0.01%, P < 0.05) in wild-type C. elegans (N2). AB-101 (1.0%) reduced the IFD in N2 (P < 0.05), increased the pharyngeal pumping rate (P < 0.05), and reversed the elevated IFD induced by protease inhibitors atazanavir and ritonavir (P < 0.05). AB-101 did not affect IFD in a ACS null mutant strain acs-4(ok2872) III/hT2[bli-4(e937) let-?(q782) qIs48](I;III) suggesting an involvement of the lipid oxidation pathway and an upregulation of CPT-1. Our studies suggest that C. elegans may be used as a resource in pharmacologic research. This article is intended to stimulate a greater appreciation of its value in the development of new pharmaceutical interventions.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Benzodiazepines / administration & dosage
  • Benzodiazepines / adverse effects
  • Betahistine / administration & dosage
  • Betahistine / pharmacology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Design
  • Obesity / chemically induced
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Olanzapine
  • Protease Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase
  • Olanzapine
  • Betahistine