Coordinated targeting of cold and nicotinic receptors synergistically improves obesity and type 2 diabetes

Nat Commun. 2018 Oct 23;9(1):4304. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06769-y.

Abstract

Pharmacological stimulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis to increase energy expenditure is progressively being pursued as a viable anti-obesity strategy. Here, we report that pharmacological activation of the cold receptor transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) with agonist icilin mimics the metabolic benefits of cold exposure. In diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, treatment with icilin enhances energy expenditure, and decreases body weight, without affecting food intake. To further potentiate the thermogenic action profile of icilin and add complementary anorexigenic mechanisms, we set out to identify pharmacological partners next to icilin. To that end, we specifically targeted nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype alpha3beta4 (α3β4), which we had recognized as a potential regulator of energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism. Combinatorial targeting of TRPM8 and nAChR α3β4 by icilin and dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) orchestrates synergistic anorexic and thermogenic pathways to reverse diet-induced obesity, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance in DIO mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cold Temperature
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Diet
  • Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide / pharmacology
  • Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide / therapeutic use
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Glucose Intolerance / pathology
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Melanocortins / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Obese
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidinones / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • TRPM Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • TRPM Cation Channels / metabolism
  • Thermogenesis / drug effects

Substances

  • MC4R protein, mouse
  • Melanocortins
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM8 protein, mouse
  • Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide
  • icilin