PPARβ activation restores the high glucose‐induced impairment of insulin signalling in endothelial cells

Background and Purpose

PPARβ enhances insulin sensitivity in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells, but its effects on insulin signalling in endothelial cells are not known. We analysed the effects of the PPARβ/δ (PPARβ) agonists, GW0742 and L165041, on impaired insulin signalling induced by high glucose in HUVECs and aortic and mesenteric arteries from diabetic rats.

Experimental Approach

Insulin‐stimulated NO production, Akt‐Ser⁴⁷³ and eNOS‐Ser¹¹⁷⁷ phosphorylation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were studied in HUVECs incubated in low‐ or high‐glucose medium. Insulin‐stimulated relaxations and protein phosphorylation in vessels from streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats were also analysed.

Key Results

HUVECs incubated in high‐glucose medium showed a significant reduction in insulin‐stimulated production of NO. High glucose also reduced insulin‐induced Akt‐Ser⁴⁷³ and eNOS‐Ser¹¹⁷⁷ phosphorylation, increased IRS‐1‐Ser⁶³⁶ and ERK1/2‐Thr¹⁸³‐Tyr¹⁸⁵ phosphorylation and increased ROS production. The co‐incubation with the PPARβ agonists GW0742 or L165041 prevented all these effects induced by high glucose. In turn, the effects induced by the agonists were suppressed when HUVEC were also incubated with the PPARβ antagonist GSK0660, the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK)4 inhibitor dichloroacetate or after knockdown of both PPARβ and PDK4 with siRNA. The ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, ROS scavenger catalase, inhibitor of complex II thenoyltrifluoroacetone or uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone, also prevented glucose‐induced insulin resistance. In STZ diabetic rats, oral GW0742 also improved insulin signalling and the impaired NO‐mediated vascular relaxation.

Conclusion and Implications

PPARβ activation in vitro and in vivo restores the endothelial function, preserving the insulin‐Akt‐eNOS pathway impaired by high glucose, at least in part, through PDK4 activation.

DOI: 10.1111/bph.12646

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