Insulin Sensitizing Effects of Vitamin D Repletion Mediated by Adipocyte Vitamin D Receptor: Studies in humans and mice
Eric Lontchi-Yimagou Molecular Metabolism Available online 10 October 2020, 101095
Highlights
• Vitamin D repletion to the normal range in vitamin D deficient, insulin resistant humans improved hepatic insulin resistance and reduced adipose expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes in concert with diminished markers of tissue fibrosis.
• Worsening trends in insulin resistance and adipose tissue fibrosis were observed following 6 months of uncorrected vitamin D deficiency.
• Adipocyte-specific depletion of the vitamin D receptor in mice induced adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis as well as hepatic insulin resistance.
Background
Adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis appear to contribute to insulin resistance in obesity. Vitamin D receptor (Vdr) genes are expressed by adipocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts, all of which could potentially play a role in adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis. Since vitamin D has been shown to have direct anti-inflammatory effects on adipocytes, we determined whether specific vitamin D receptor-mediated effects on adipocytes could impact adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis, and ultimately insulin resistance.
Methods
We examined the effects of repleting vitamin D in 25(OH)D-deficient, insulin resistant, overweight-to-obese human subjects (n=19). A comprehensive study of whole-body insulin action was undertaken with stepped euglycemic (∼90 mg/dL) hyperinsulinemic clamp studies, both before and after administration of vitamin D or placebo. Adipose tissue fibrosis and inflammation were quantified by ‘real-time’ rt-PCR and immunofluorescence in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue.
To determine whether vitamin D’s effects are mediated through adipocytes, we performed hyperinsulinemic clamp studies (4 mU/kg/min) and adipose tissue analysis in an adipocyte-specific vitamin D receptor knockout (VDR-KO) mouse model (Adiponectin-Cre+VDR+/fl) following high fat diet feeding for 12 weeks.
Results
25(OH)D repletion was associated with reductions in adipose tissue expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes, decreased collagen immunofluorescence and improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in humans. Worsening trends after six months on placebo suggest progressive metabolic effects of 25(OH)D deficiency. Ad-VDR-KO mice mirrored the vitamin D deficient humans, displaying increased adipose tissue fibrosis and inflammation and hepatic insulin resistance.
Conclusions
These complementary human and rodent studies support a beneficial role for vitamin D repletion in improving hepatic insulin resistance and reducing adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis in targeted individuals, likely via direct effects on adipocytes. These studies have far-reaching implications for understanding the role of the adipocyte in mediating adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis, and ultimately impacting insulin sensitivity.