Interleukin-4 improves metabolic abnormalities in leptin-deficient and high-fat diet mice

SY Lin, CP Yang, YY Wang, CW Hsiao… - International Journal of …, 2020 - mdpi.com
SY Lin, CP Yang, YY Wang, CW Hsiao, WY Chen, SL Liao, YL Lo, YH Chang, CJ Hong…
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020mdpi.com
Obesity is a metabolic disorder that results from complex interactions between genetic
predisposition and dietary factors. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), besides its role in immunity, has
metabolic effects on insulin efficacy. We studied the effects of IL-4 on metabolic
abnormalities in a mice model of obesity involving leptin deficiency and leptin resistance.
Leptin-deficient 145E and leptin-resistant high-fat diet (HFD) mice showed lower levels of
circulating IL-4. 145E and HFD mice showed a number of abnormalities: Obesity …
Obesity is a metabolic disorder that results from complex interactions between genetic predisposition and dietary factors. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), besides its role in immunity, has metabolic effects on insulin efficacy. We studied the effects of IL-4 on metabolic abnormalities in a mice model of obesity involving leptin deficiency and leptin resistance. Leptin-deficient 145E and leptin-resistant high-fat diet (HFD) mice showed lower levels of circulating IL-4. 145E and HFD mice showed a number of abnormalities: Obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, liver injury, and adiposity with concurrent inflammation, decreases in Akt, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and STAT6 phosphorylation in the hypothalamus, liver, and epididymal fat. Independent of leptin-deficient obesity and dietary obesity, a course of 8-week IL-4 supplementation improved obesity and impairment in Akt, STAT3, and STAT6 signaling. Amelioration of cytokine expression, despite variable extents, was closely linked with the actions of IL-4. Additionally, the browning of white adipocytes by IL-4 was found in epididymal white adipose tissues and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Chronic exercise, weight management, and probiotics are recommended to overweight patients and IL-4 signaling is associated with clinical improvement. Thus, IL-4 could be a metabolic regulator and antiobesity candidate for the treatment of obesity and its complications.
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