The effects of decabromodiphenyl ether on glycolipid metabolism and related signaling pathways in mice

Chemosphere. 2019 May:222:849-855. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.02.003. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Abstract

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), an addictive type flame retardant, is widely found in environments, and could affect the glycolipid metabolism. The present study was designed to investigate the potential mechanism of BDE-209 affecting glycolipid metabolism. Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups, and they were exposed to BDE-209 at dosages of 0, 7.5, 25 and 75 mg kg-1·d-1 for 28 d, respectively. The results showed that BDE-209 increased the serum levels of glucose, insulin, and triglyceride, also decreased the level of high-density lipoprotein, and damaged the structures of liver and adipose tissue in mice. BDE-209 significantly increased the protein expression of p-IRS, markedly decreased the expressions of PI3K, p-AKT, and GLUT4, significantly improved the lipid metabolism related factor expressions of p-mTOR, mTOR, PPARγ and RXRɑ, also inhibited the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of mice. These results suggested that BDE-209 could affect glucose metabolism and inhibiting PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway resulting from improving the p-IRS expression, and interfered with lipid metabolism through activate mTOR/PPARγ/RXRα resulting from oxidative stress in mice.

Keywords: BDE-209; Glycometabolism; Lipid metabolism; PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway; mTOR /PPARγ/RXRɑ; signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants
  • Flame Retardants / pharmacology
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glycolipids / metabolism*
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / pharmacology*
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Flame Retardants
  • Glycolipids
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Insulin
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Glucose
  • decabromobiphenyl ether