459-P: Liver-Targeted Mitochondrial Uncoupling by CRMP Improves Whole-Body Insulin Sensitivity and Attenuates Atherosclerosis in A LDLR-/- Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Progress in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been stalled by the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes, which increases the relative risk of developing atherosclerosis four-fold compared to nondiabetic individuals. We recently developed an orally available, liver-targeted controlled release mitochondrial protonophore (CRMP) that promotes oxidation of hepatic triglycerides by promoting a subtle sustained increase in hepatic mitochondrial inefficiency and shown that this agent safely reverses dyslipidemia, fatty liver, and insulin resistance in rodents and nonhuman primates. While these studies suggest that CRMP may be a novel therapy for the major components of metabolic syndrome, its therapeutic utility for the treatment of CVD remains unknown. To assess the effect of CRMP on atherogenesis, we performed progression studies in Ldlr^-/- mice fed a high-fat cholesterol diet and treated with CRMP (30 mg/kg-day) or vehicle control for 12 weeks. Here, we show that CRMP-treated mice display a 30% reduction in fasting plasma triglycerides (which could be attributed to a 20% decrease in VLDL-production) and a significant improvement in both hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity, due to reductions in hepatic and muscle ectopic lipid content. Importantly, CRMP-mediated decreases in hypertriglyceridemia and improvements in whole-body insulin sensitivity were associated with a 30% reduction in aortic root plaque area and neutral lipid accumulation (P<0.05). More detailed analysis of these plaques revealed that CRMP treatment also significantly lowered markers of plaque vulnerability, as evidenced by a 30% reduction in necrotic core area and increase in fibrous cap area (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Taken together, these results support an anti-atherogenic role for CRMP and suggest the therapeutic potential of liver-targeted mitochondrial uncouplers for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders.