Diet-Induced Obese Mice and Leptin-Deficient Lep(ob/ob) Mice Exhibit Increased Circulating GIP Levels Produced by Different Mechanisms

As glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) possesses pro-adipogenic action, the suppression of the GIP hypersecretion seen in obesity might represent a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of obesity. However, the mechanism of GIP hypersecretion remains largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated GIP secretion in two mouse models of obesity: High-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and leptin-deficient Lep(ob/ob) mice. In DIO mice, plasma GIP was increased along with an increase in GIP mRNA expression in the lower small intestine. Despite the robust alteration in the gut microbiome in DIO mice, co-administration of maltose and the α-glucosidase inhibitor (α-GI) miglitol induced the microbiome-mediated suppression of GIP secretion. The plasma GIP levels of Lep(ob/ob) mice were also elevated and were suppressed by fat transplantation. The GIP mRNA expression in fat tissue was not increased in Lep(ob/ob) mice, while the expression of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was increased. Fat transplantation suppressed the expression of IL-1Ra. The plasma IL-1Ra levels were positively correlated with the plasma GIP levels. Accordingly, although circulating GIP levels are increased in both DIO and Lep(ob/ob) mice, the underlying mechanisms differ, and the anti-obesity actions of α-GIs and leptin sensitizers may be mediated partly by the suppression of GIP secretion.