Increased HO-1 levels ameliorate fatty liver development through a reduction of heme and recruitment of FGF21

Terry D. Hinds, Komal Sodhi, Charles Meadows, Larisa Fedorova, Nitin Puri, Dong Hyun Kim, Stephen J. Peterson, Joseph Shapiro, Nader G. Abraham, Attallah Kappas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective Obese leptin deficient (ob/ob) mice are a model of adiposity that displays increased levels of fat, glucose, and liver lipids. Our hypothesis is that HO-1 overexpression ameliorates fatty liver development. Methods Obese mice were administered cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) and stannic mesoporphyrin (SnMP) for 6 weeks. Heme, HO-1, HO activity, PGC1α, FGF21, glycogen content, and lipogenesis were assessed. Results CoPP administration increased hepatic HO-1 protein levels and HO activity, decreased hepatic heme, body weight gain, glucose levels, and resulted in decreased steatosis. Increased levels of HO-1 produced a decrease in lipid droplet size, Fatty acid synthase (FAS) levels involving recruitment of FGF21, PPARα, and Glut 1. These beneficial effects were reversed by inhibition of HO activity. Conclusion Increased levels of HO-1 and HO activity reduced the levels of obesity by reducing hepatic heme and lipid accumulation. These changes were manifested by decreases in cellular heme, increases in FGF21, glycogen content, and fatty liver. The beneficial effect of HO-1 induction results from an increase in PPARα and FGF21 levels and a decrease in PGC1α, levels they were reversed by SnMP. Low levels of HO-1 and HO activity are responsible for fatty liver.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)705-712
Number of pages8
JournalObesity
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)HL34300, HL55601
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesR01DK056601

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine (miscellaneous)
    • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
    • Endocrinology
    • Nutrition and Dietetics

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