Notch1 Signalling Is Downregulated by Aerobic Exercise, Leading to Improvement of Hepatic Metabolism in Obese Mice

• Published in: Liver international Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. e70068 - n/a
• Main Authors: Gaspar, Rafael Calais, Macêdo, Ana Paula Azevêdo, Nakandakari, Susana Castelo Branco Ramos, Muñoz, Vitor Rosetto, Abud, Gabriela Ferreira, Vieira, Renan Fudoli Lins, Sousa Neto, Ivo Vieira, Pavan, Isadora Carolina Betim, Silva, Luiz Guilherme Salvino, Simabuco, Fernando Moreira, Silva, Adelino S. R., Junior, Wilson Salgado, Marchini, Julio Sergio, Nonino, Carla Barbosa, Cintra, Dennys Esper, Ropelle, Eduardo Rochete, Pajvani, Utpal B., Freitas, Ellen Cristini, Pauli, José Rodrigo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Aerobics; Animals; Biopsy; Cell lines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet, High-Fat; Down-Regulation; Exercise; Female; Fitness equipment; gluconeogenesis; Glucose metabolism; Hep G2 Cells; High fat diet; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Lipid metabolism; Lipids; lipogenesis; Liver; Liver - metabolism; MAFLD; Male; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 - metabolism; Metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Obese; Middle Aged; mRNA; Notch protein; Notch1 protein; Obesity; Obesity - metabolism; Obesity - therapy; Physical Conditioning, Animal; physical exercise; Physical fitness; Physical training; Pyruvic acid; Receptor, Notch1 - genetics; Receptor, Notch1 - metabolism; Running; Signal Transduction; Therapeutic targets; Treadmills; MAFLD; lipogenesis; physical exercise; gluconeogenesis
• ISSN: 1478-3223; 1478-3231; 1478-3231
• DOI: 10.1111/liv.70068

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Notch1 protein plays a significant role in hepatic metabolism, as evidenced by its correlation with insulin resistance in the livers of obese individuals, making it an intriguing research target. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise on Notch1 pathways in the hepatic tissue of obese mice and its role in controlling hepatic metabolism. Methods Therefore, we conducted a cross‐sectional study utilising liver biopsies from lean and obese humans, as well as an intervention study involving mice subjected to a high‐fat diet. The obese‐trained mice group underwent a treadmill‐running protocol for 4 weeks. Results Our findings revealed that obese individuals exhibited increased NOTCH1 mRNA levels compared to lean subjects. The detrimental effects of Notch1 signalling were confirmed by Notch1‐overexpressed HepG2 cell lines. Obese mice with higher hepatic Notch1 signalling demonstrated a reduction in this pathway when subjected to a 4‐week treadmill running. Another benefit noticed in this trained group was the amelioration of insulin resistance, as well as a reduction in pyruvate intolerance and gluconeogenic enzymes. Additionally, we observed that these protective findings were accompanied by a decrease in mTORC1 pathway activity and lipid accumulation in the liver. Pharmacological inhibition of Notch1 in obese mice led to an increase in mitochondrial respiration in the liver. Conclusions We conclude that Notch1 signalling may be a potentially useful therapeutic target in obesity, while aerobic exercise training suppresses the Notch1 pathway in the liver, contributing to the regulation of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in obese mice.