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Abstract Background and Aims Asprosin, an adipokine with a multifaceted function that encompasses inducing insulin resistance, promoting inflammation, and stimulating appetite, is the focus of our investigation. We seek to establish its pivotal role as a mediator in regulating cellular energy metabolism, particularly in the context of renal damage induced by diabetes and obesity. Method We conducted experiments using type 2 diabetic db/db mice and obesity-induced high-fat diet mice. These animal models were categorized into two groups: one received Asprosin neutralizing antibodies (250 μg/mouse/21 days), targeting the 28-amino acid peptide located proximal to Asprosin's C-terminus (KKKELNQLEDRYDKDYLSGELGDNLKMK), while the other received an AMPK activator (Metformin) associated with the regulation of Asprosin receptors (OLFR734/G proteins-cAMP-PKA). Additionally, we cultured renal constituent cells (mesangial cells, glomerular endothelial cells) in high glucose and palmitic acid conditions and silencing Asprosin expression using siRNA. We assessed the levels of Asprosin, AMPK, and their respective downstream signaling pathways. Results Asprosin was found to be overexpressed in the serum and kidney tissues of both db/db mice and high-fat diet mice, as well as in renal constituent cells cultured under high glucose and palmitic acid conditions. Interfering with Asprosin led to reduced body and liver weight in mice, improved glucose tolerance, and mitigated renal injury in vivo. Asprosin knockdown ameliorated lipid accumulation and inflammatory infiltration, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Asprosin absence activated the AMPK/Sirts/mTOR signaling pathway, while the AMPK activator Metformin reversed the effects of Asprosin on lipid accumulation and inflammatory response, confirming Asprosin's direct role in intracellular lipid metabolism. Conclusion The mechanism of intracellular energy metabolism regulation mediated by Asprosin presents promising potential for targeted organ therapy in the development and prevention of diabetic kidney disease. Inhibiting Asprosin suppressed lipid accumulation and inflammation in diabetic kidney disease through the activation of AMPK-associated signaling pathway.
Park et al. (Wed,) studied this question.