Monocyte dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis is mediated by the prostaglandin E2-EP4 pathway.

Background & Aims: Infection is a major problem in advanced liver disease secondary to monocyte dysfunction. Elevated prostaglandin (PG)E is a mediator of monocyte dysfunction in cirrhosis; thus, we examined PGE signalling in outpatients with ascites and in patients hospitalised with acute decompensation to identify potential therapeutic targets aimed at improving monocyte dysfunction.

Methods: Using samples from 11 outpatients with ascites and 28 patients hospitalised with decompensated cirrhosis, we assayed plasma levels of PGE and lipopolysaccharide (LPS); performed quantitative real-time PCR on monocytes; and examined peripheral blood monocyte function.

PPARγ S273 Phosphorylation Modifies the Dynamics of Coregulator Proteins Recruitment.

The nuclear receptor PPARγ is essential to maintain whole-body glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, acting as a master regulator of adipogenesis, lipid, and glucose metabolism. Its activation through natural or synthetic ligands induces the recruitment of coactivators, leading to transcription of target genes such as cytokines and hormones. More recently, post translational modifications, such as PPARγ phosphorylation at Ser273 by CDK5 in adipose tissue, have been linked to insulin resistance trough the dysregulation of expression of a specific subset of genes.

GQ-130, a novel analogue of thiazolidinedione, improves obesity-induced metabolic alterations in rats: Evidence for the involvement of PPARβ/δ pathway.

The present investigation aimed to characterize the effect of a short-time treatment with a new thiazolidinedione (TZD) derivative, GQ-130, on metabolic alterations in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We investigated whether metabolic alterations induced by GQ-130 were mediated though a mechanism that involves PPARβ/δ transactivation. Potential binding and transactivation of PPARα, PPARβ/δ or PPARγ by GQ-130 were examined through cell transactivation, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence quenching assays and thermal shift assay.

Screening for PPAR Non-Agonist Ligands Followed by Characterization of a Hit, AM-879, with Additional No-Adipogenic and cdk5-Mediated Phosphorylation Inhibition Properties.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of a nuclear receptor superfamily and acts as a ligand-dependent transcription factor, playing key roles in maintenance of adipose tissue and in regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis. This receptor is the target of thiazolidinediones, a class of antidiabetic drugs, which improve insulin sensitization and regulate glycemia in type 2 diabetes. Despite the beneficial effects of drugs, such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, their use is associated with several side effects, including weight gain, heart failure, and liver disease, since these drugs induce full activation of the receptor.