Endothelial cell apoptosis in brown adipose tissue of rats induced by hyperinsulinaemia: the possible role of TNF-α

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether hyperinsulinaemia, which frequently precedes insulin resistance syndrome (obesity, diabetes), induces apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and causes BAT atrophy and also, to investigate the possible mechanisms und...

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Published in:European journal of histochemistry 2011-11, Vol.55 (4), p.e34-e34
Main Authors: Markelic, M, Velickovic, K, Golic, I, Otasevic, V, Stancic, A, Jankovic, A, Vucetic, M, Buzadzic, B, Korac, B, Korac, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipocytes - cytology
Adipocytes - metabolism
Adipose Tissue, Brown - metabolism
Adipose Tissue, Brown - ultrastructure
Animals
Apoptosis
Cell Proliferation
Endothelial Cells - cytology
Endothelial Cells - metabolism
Hyperinsulinism
Immunohistochemistry
insulin, TNF-alpha, apoptosis, endothelial cell, brown adipose tissue
Male
Original Paper
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism
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Summary:The aim of the present study was to investigate whether hyperinsulinaemia, which frequently precedes insulin resistance syndrome (obesity, diabetes), induces apoptosis of endothelial cells (ECs) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and causes BAT atrophy and also, to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying ECs death. In order to induce hyperinsulinaemia, adult male rats of Wistar strain were treated with high dose of insulin (4 U/kg, intraperitonealy) for one or three days. Examinations at ultrastructural level showed apoptotic changes of ECs, allowing us to point out that changes mainly but not exclusively, occur in nuclei. Besides different stages of condensation and alterations of the chromatin, nuclear fragmentation was also observed. Higher number of ECs apoptotic nuclei in the BAT of hyperinsulinaemic rats was also confirmed by propidium iodide staining. Immunohistochemical localization of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) revealed increased expression in ECs of BAT of hyperinsulinaemic animals, indicating its possible role in insulin-induced apoptotic changes. These results suggest that BAT atrophy in hyperinsulinaemia is a result of endothelial and adipocyte apoptosis combined, rather than any of functional components alone.
ISSN:1121-760X
2038-8306
DOI:10.4081/ejh.2011.e34