HIF-P4H-2 inhibition enhances intestinal fructose metabolism and induces thermogenesis protecting against NAFLD

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) parallels the global obesity epidemic with unmet therapeutic needs. We investigated whether inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl 4-hydroxylase-2 (HIF-P4H-2), a key cellular oxygen sensor whose inhibition stabilizes HIF, would protect from NAFLD by subjecting HIF-P4H-2-deficient (Hif-p4h-2gt/gt) mice to a high-fat, high-fructose (HFHF) or high-fat, methionine-choline-deficient (HF-MCD) diet. On both diets, theHif-p4h-2gt/gt mice gained less weight and had less white adipose tissue (WAT) and its inflammation, lower serum cholesterol levels, and lighter livers with less steatosis and lower serum ALT levels than the wild type (WT). The intake of fructose in majority of theHif-p4h-2gt/gt tissues, including the liver, was 15 –35% less than in the WT. We found upregulation of the key fructose transporter and metabolizing enzyme mRNAs,Slc2a2,Khka, andKhkc, and higher ketohexokinase activity in theHif-p4h-2gt/gt small intestine relative to the WT, suggesting enhanced metabolism of fructose in the former. On the HF-MCD diet, theHif-p4h-2gt/gt mice showed more browning of the WAT and increased thermogenesis. A pharmacological pan-HIF-P4H inhibitor protected WT mice on both diets against obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and liver damage. These data suggest that HIF-P4H-2 inhibition could be studied as a novel, comprehensive treatment strategy for NAFLD.Key messages• HIF-P4H-2 inhibition enhances intestinal fructose metabolism ...
Source: Journal of Molecular Medicine - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research