Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Context
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and elevated circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are common characteristics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In rodents, brain insulin signaling controls both hepatic triglyceride secretion and BCAA catabolism. Whether brain insulin signaling controls similar metabolic pathways in humans is unknown.Objective
Here we assessed if intranasal insulin, a method to preferentially deliver insulin to the central nervous system, is able to modulate hepatic lipid content and plasma BCAAs in humans.Design/setting
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at the Medical University of Vienna.Participants/intervention
We assessed if a chronic 4-week intranasal insulin treatment (40 IU, 4 times daily) reduces hepatic triglyceride content and circulating BCAAs in 20 healthy male volunteers.Main outcome measures
Hepatic lipid content was assessed noninvasively by 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and BCAAs were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry at defined time points during the study.Results
Chronic intranasal insulin treatment did not alter body weight, body mass index, and hepatic lipid content but reduced circulating BCAA levels.Conclusions
These findings support the notion that brain insulin controls BCAA metabolism in humans. Thus, brain insulin resistance could account at least in part for the elevated BCAA levels observed in the insulin-resistant state.
SUBMITTER: Scherer T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6283450 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Scherer Thomas T Wolf Peter P Smajis Sabina S Gaggini Melania M Hackl Martina M Gastaldelli Amalia A Klimek Peter P Einwallner Elisa E Marculescu Rodrig R Luger Anton A Fürnsinn Clemens C Trattnig Siegfried S Buettner Christoph C Krššák Martin M Krebs Michael M
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 20170401 4
<h4>Context</h4>Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and elevated circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are common characteristics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In rodents, brain insulin signaling controls both hepatic triglyceride secretion and BCAA catabolism. Whether brain insulin signaling controls similar metabolic pathways in humans is unknown.<h4>Objective</h4>Here we assessed if intranasal insulin, a method to preferentially deliver insulin to the central nervous system, is able t ...[more]