DPP-4 Inhibition with Anagliptin Reduces Lipotoxicity-Induced Insulin Resistance and Steatohepatitis in Male Mice

Excessive hepatic lipid accumulation drives the innate immune system and aggravates insulin resistance, hepatic inflammation, and fibrogenesis, leading to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) regulates glucose metabolism and is expressed in many different cell types, including the cells of the immune system. In addition, DPP-4 may be involved in macrophage-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance. This study investigated the effects of anagliptin (Ana), an inhibitor of DPP-4, on macrophage polarity and phenotype in the livers of mice with steatohepatitis. We investigated the effects of Ana on steatohepatitis induced via a high-cholesterol high-fat (CL) diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined, high-fat (CDAHF) diet. DPP-4 activity, liver histology, and insulin sensitivity were evaluated, and liver DPP-4(+) macrophages were quantified using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Liver and plasma DPP-4 activity increased significantly in mice on both diets. FACS revealed that, compared with chow-fed mice, the CL-fed mice exhibited a significant increase in the proportion of DPP-4(+) liver macrophages, particularly the M1-type macrophages. Ana decreased hepatic lipid and M1 macrophage accumulation and stimulated M2 macrophage accumulation in the liver, thereby attenuating insulin resistance, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis. Importantly, Ana alleviated hepatic fibrosis and steatohepatitis in mice fed CL diet and CDAHF diet. Using Ana to inhibit DPP-4 reduced lipotoxicity-induced hepatic insulin resistance through regulating the M1/M2 macrophage status.