High concentrations of fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate impair the growth hormone-mediated hepatic JAK2-STAT5 pathway in clinically ketotic cows

摘要

ABSTRACTThe hepatic growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis is essential for regulating intrahepatic lipid metabolism. Ketotic cows are characterized by high blood concentrations of fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which display lipotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the hepatic GH–IGF-I axis in ketotic cows and to determine the effects of fatty acids and BHB on the GH–IGF-I axis in calf hepatocytes. Liver and blood samples were collected from healthy (n = 15) and clinically ketotic (n = 15) cows. Hepatocytes were isolated from calves and treated with various concentrations of GH, fatty acids, and BHB. The results showed that clinically ketotic cows displayed a high blood concentration of GH, a low blood concentration of IGF-I, and decreased hepatic GHR1A expression as well as impaired hepatic Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signaling. In vitro, GH treatment induced activation of the JAK2-STAT5 pathway to increase the mRNA expression and secretion of IGF-I in calf hepatocytes. More importantly, treatment with fatty acids or BHB significantly inhibitedGHR1AmRNA and JAK2 protein expression, as well as the STAT5 phosphorylation level and phospho-STAT5 nuclear translocation; these effects markedly reducedIGF1mRNA expression and secretion in calf hepatocytes. In summary, these results indicate that high blood concentrations of fatty acids or BHB can impair the intrahepatic GH-mediated JAK2-STAT5 pathway and downregulate IGF-I expression and secretion in ketotic cows.