Differential effects of cobalt and mercury on lipid metabolism in the white adipose tissue of high-fat diet-induced obesity mice

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TAAP.2011.10.004· OSTI ID:22215196

Kawakami, Takashige; Hanao, Norihide; Nishiyama, Kaori; Kadota, Yoshito; Inoue, Masahisa; Sato, Masao; Suzuki, Shinya

Metals and metalloid species are involved in homeostasis in energy systems such as glucose metabolism. Enlarged adipocytes are one of the most important causes of obesity-associated diseases. In this study, we studied the possibility that various metals, namely, CoCl{sub 2}, HgCl{sub 2}, NaAsO{sub 2} and MnCl{sub 2} pose risk to or have beneficial effects on white adipose tissue (WAT). Exposure to the four metals resulted in decreases in WAT weight and the size of enlarged adipocytes in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) without changes in liver weight, suggesting that the size and function of adipocytes are sensitive to metals. Repeated administration of CoCl{sub 2} significantly increased serum leptin, adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and normalized glucose level and adipose cell size in mice fed HFD. In contrast, HgCl{sub 2} treatment significantly decreased serum leptin level with the down-regulation of leptin mRNA expression in WAT and a reduction in adipocyte size. Next, we tried to investigate possible factors that affect adipocyte size. Repeated exposure to HgCl{sub 2} significantly decreased the expression levels of factors upon the regulation of energy such as the PPARα and PPARγ mRNA expression levels in adipocytes, whereas CoCl{sub 2} had little effect on those genes expressions compared with that in the case of the mice fed HFD with a vehicle. In addition, repeated administration of CoCl{sub 2} enhanced AMPK activation in a dose-dependent manner in the liver, skeletal muscle and WAT; HgCl{sub 2} treatment also enhanced AMPK activation in the liver. Thus, both Co and Hg reduced WAT weight and the size of enlarged adipocytes, possibly mediated by AMKP activation in the mice fed HFD. However, inorganic cobalt may have a preventive role in obesity-related diseases through increased leptin, adiponectin and HDL-cholesterol levels, whereas inorganic mercury may accelerate the development of such diseases. These results may lead to the development of new approaches to establishing the role of metals in adipose tissue of obesity-related diseases. -- Highlights: ► The effects of metals on enlarged white adipose tissue (WAT) were studied. ► As, Hg, Mn and Co ions reduced the size of enlarged adipocytes. ► Co{sup 2+} increased serum leptin and adiponectin levels with AMPK activation in WAT. ► Hg{sup 2+} decreased serum leptin level and leptin mRNA expression in WAT. ► Metal exposure affects the adipocyte size and the function of WAT.

• OSTI ID: 22215196
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 258; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ADIPOSE TISSUE
ALANINES
CHOLESTEROL
COBALT
COBALT CHLORIDES
GLUCOSE
LEPTIN
LIPOPROTEINS
LIVER
MERCURY
MERCURY CHLORIDES
MESSENGER-RNA
METABOLIC DISEASES
MICE
PORPHYRINS
RECEPTORS
TRIGLYCERIDES