Orexin A protects cells from apoptosis by regulating FoxO1 and mTORC1 through the OX1R/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocytes.

Orexin A and B are multifunctional neuropeptides that are involved in the regulation of food intake, energy metabolism, glucose regulation and wakefulness. They signal through two G-protein‑coupled receptors (GPCR): orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) and orexin receptor 2 (OX2R). Previous studies have shown that orexins interact with PI3K/AKT signaling pathways through OX1R-coupling in other cell types, but are seldom involved in hepatocytes. In the present study, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that OX1R mRNA expression and activation in rat hepatocytes in vitro were upregulated by exogenous orexin A (10(-10) to 10(-6) M) in a dose-dependent manner. The result showed that orexin A affects increasing cell proliferation and protects cells from apoptosis. Additionally, inhibition studies showed that orexin A induced forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) and mammalian target of rapamycin 1 (mTORC1) phosphorylation, while OX1R antagonist (SB334867, 10(-6) M), AKT antagonist (PF-04691502, 10(-6) M), Foxo1 inhibitor (AS1842856, 10(-6) M) or mTORC1 inhibitor (everolimus, 10(-5) M) blocked these effects of orexin A. The results of the present study showed a possible effect of orexin A on cell apoptosis in regulating Foxo1 and mTORC1 through the OX1R/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in rat hepatocytes.