Two birds with one stone
A group of researchers from the Medical School of the University of California at San Diego, led by Sushil K. Mahata, studied the functions of the cathestatin peptide in an experiment on mice. It regulates the work of macrophages, reduces inflammation in the liver associated with obesity, and also increases glucose tolerance.
Normally, the liver participates in regulating blood glucose levels by converting its excess into glycogen ("animal starch"), which accumulates in the liver as an energy reserve. When the level of glucose in the blood rises, the pancreas releases the hormone insulin, which, among other things, inhibits the reverse conversion of glycogen in the liver into glucose. Normally, the processes of glycogen formation and cleavage are in equilibrium.
The liver is also involved in fat metabolism. In obesity, the accumulation of lipids can lead to damage to liver cells with the formation of fatty degeneration. At the same time, the immune system is activated, especially macrophages that were in a "dormant" state in the liver. Activation of macrophages leads to the accumulation in the liver of other immune system cells circulating in the blood.
Macrophages and other immune cells contribute to the development of inflammation through the production of pro-inflammatory factors, there is a decrease in insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate metabolism is disrupted.
In the study, obese mouse models were injected with catestatin. It suppressed the activity of macrophages in the liver and inflammation in general. This allowed the researchers to suggest that catestatin is an anti-inflammatory peptide.
In addition, catestatin led to normalization of blood glucose levels, restoration of insulin secretion in the pancreas and a decrease in lipids in the liver.
Administration of catestatin to mice without obesity had no effect on carbohydrate metabolism. This proves that it is effective only when overweight.
In another experiment, the researchers suppressed the production of endogenous catestatin. These mice began to eat more, but their appetite returned to normal, and their weight decreased after the start of catestatin treatment. Researchers have suggested that catestatin not only regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism, but also suppresses appetite.
The authors of the study write that catestatin can be used to correct carbohydrate metabolism, as it will increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin by reducing inflammation in the liver. Further research is needed to clarify the details of this process and confirm the data obtained.
Article by Wei Ying et al. Catestatin Inhibits Obesity-Induced Macrophage Infiltration and Inflammation in the Liver and Suppresses Hepatic Glucose Production Leading to Improved Insulin Sensitivity published in the journal Diabetes.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to UC San Diego News Center: Peptide Improves Glucose and Insulin Sensitivity, Lowers Weight in Mice.