BackgroundInflammatory response plays a key role in the development of insulin resistance (IR) in obesity. Oxidative stress triggers the replication of the mitochondrial genome and division of the organelle. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of chemerin and TNF-α with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (mesentery of the small intestine (Mes), greater omentum (GO) and blood mononuclear cells (MNCs)) in patients with obesity with/without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsThe study included 142 obese patients and 34 healthy donors. The samples used for the study were peripheral venous blood (MNCs) and ATs (SAT, Mes and GO). The measurement of mtDNA copy number was done by droplet digital PCR. Quantitative determination of insulin, adiponectin, TNF-α and chemerin in serum/plasma was performed by flow-through fluorometry and commercial ELISA kit. Statistical analysis and graphs were obtained in R Statistical Software (version 3.3.1).ResultsThe increase in body mass index (BMI) was accompanied by an increase in TNF-α production, an increase in mtDNA copy number in SAT and a decrease in mtDNA copy number in MNCs. The negative association between plasma chemerin and mtDNA copy number in the Mes, as well as between mtDNA copy number and chemerin expression in the Mes, in the group with BMI > 40 kg/m2 without T2DM demonstrates the protective effect of chemerin against the development of IR via the regulation of mtDNA copy number in adipose tissues.ConclusionsWe thus speculated the existence of a compensatory mechanism in which leads to the increased number of mtDNA copies under the influence of proinflammatory factors. Based on the obtained data, we propose that reducing mtDNA copy number in cases of morbid obesity without T2DM has a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism, which may help maintain glucose levels within reference values. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, mtDNA, cytokines, TNF-a, chemerin.

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is a chronic inflammatory disease of the middle and large arteries caused by a disruption of lipid metabolism. Noncoding RNA (ncRNA), including microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), was investigated for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Regulation of the expression of noncoding RNA targets the constituent element of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Currently, miRNA therapy commonly employs miRNA antagonists and mimic compounds. In this review, attention is focused on approaches to correcting molecular disorders based on the genetic regulation of the transcription of key genes responsible for the development of atherosclerosis. Promising technologies were considered for the treatment of atherosclerosis, and examples are given for technologies that have been shown to be effective in clinical trials.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes core subunits of oxidative phosphorylation complexes and, as a result of intricate regulatory crosstalk between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, the total number of mtDNA copies fits the requirements of each cell type. Deviations from the physiological number of mtDNA copies are expected to be deleterious and might cause some inherited diseases and normal ageing. We studied 46 obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) one year after a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The results were compared with normal-weight patients without T2DM (control group 1) (body mass index (BMI) = 22.5 ± 3.01 kg/m2) and patients with obesity without T2DM (control group 2) (BMI = 36 ± 3.45 kg/m2). We detected an increase of mtDNA copy number in the cells of the buffy coat obtained from peripheral blood, sampled one year after bariatric surgery. We also found that average mtDNA copy number as well as its dynamics (before and after the surgery) are gender-specific. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence for the restoration of mtDNA copy number in obese patients after LSG and RYGB.

Interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines act through a receptor complex with gp130 subunits. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates inflammation and liver regeneration. Mitochondria are the first to respond to stress and adapt their dynamics in conditions of damage. In this regard, the study aimed to investigate the role of the IL-6 cytokine family (sIL-6Ra, gp130/sIL-6Rb, and IL-11) in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in the liver in obese patients and to assess the contribution of these cytokines to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We studied 134 obese patients with and without T2DM and 41 healthy donors. We found that increasing the concentration of sIL-6Ra and gp130/sIL-6Rb protected against carbohydrate disorders in obese patients and prevented non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression in obese patients. An increase in plasma IL-6 levels is associated with decreased, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) protein production in liver biopsies in obese patients with and without T2DM. Replication, transcription, and division processes in liver biopsy were reduced in patients with T2DM. Inflammatory processes stimulate liver cell apoptosis in obese patients with T2DM. The increase in IL-11 levels is associated with decreased pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) protein production in obese patients with and without T2DM.

BackgroundMitochondria play a central role in the regulation of energy metabolism, and the biogenesis of mitochondria is enhanced by the action of nitric oxide (NO), which is the key signaling molecule in the regulation of vascular homeostasis. A disturbance in the regulation of energy metabolism can be a key reason for the formation of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to oxidative stress, which increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines. In this regard, the aim of this study was to identify the relationship of the copy number of mtDNA in adipose tissue from different locations (subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), mesentery (Mes), greater omentum (GO)), liver biopsy samples and mononuclear blood cells (MNCs) with endothelial dysfunction markers (eNOS, ET-1, iCAM-1, vCAM-1, VEGF) and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, CRP, leptin) in obese patients (body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m2) with and without type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe study included 88 obese patients (BMI > 35 kg/m2) treated at the Kaliningrad Region Hospital. The control group consisted of 20 healthy donors. To measure mtDNA copy number we used droplet digital PCR. The concentrations of molecules (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, eNOS, ET-1, iCAM-1, vCAM-1, VEGF) were measured in plasma using the following sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Quantitative determination of leptin was evaluated by flow-fluorimetry on a «Bio-Plex Protein Assay System». Statistical analysis and graphs were obtained in R Statistical Software (version 3.3.1).ResultsThe systemic character of chronic subclinical inflammation in obesity is established, and an increase in the level of endothelial dysfunction molecules was observed in the blood plasma. The levels of TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-8 were positively correlated with increases in BMI, serum glucose and cholesterol levels.ConclusionsThe copy number of mtDNA in various fat stores was higher in obese patients with type 2 diabetes than in obese patients without diabetes or in the control subjects and was related to the levels of leptin and proinflammatory cytokines.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12920-019-0486-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.