Fat-specific transgenic expression of resistin in the spontaneously hypertensive rat impairs fatty acid re-esterification

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism by which fat-specific transgenic expression of resistin affects fatty acid metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). DESIGN: Basal- and adrenaline-stimulated lipolysis, basal- and insulin-stimulated lipogenesis as well as the site (glycerol versus acyl moiety) of glucose incorporated into triglycerides were determined in adipose tissue isolated from SHR-Resistin transgenic and SHR control rats. RESULTS: A moderate expression of transgenic resistin in adipose tissue was associated with significant increase in the FFA/glycerol ratio during adrenaline-stimulated lipolysis in the SHR-Resistin transgenic rats (3.27+/-0.26) compared to SHR controls (2.11+/-0.10, P=0.0005). Transgenic SHR also exhibited a significant decrease in FFA re-esterification in adipose tissue (approximately by 23%). CONCLUSION: These findings raise the possibility that the prodiabetic effects of transgenic resistin may be partly mediated by increased FFA release from adipose tissue due to impaired FFA re-esterification in adipocytes.     

Short-term administration of isotretinoin elevates plasma triglyceride concentrations without affecting insulin sensitivity in healthy humans

The mechanism underlying hypertriglyceridemia-associated insulin resistance in humans remains poorly understood. It has been proposed that hypertriglyceridemia only produces insulin resistance when associated with an increased lipid delivery to muscle. Accordingly, hypertriglyceridemia secondary to a decreased clearance of triglyceride-rich particles should not cause insulin resistance. To verify this hypothesis, we assessed whole body and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in 15 healthy male volunteers before and after a 5-day administration of isotretinoin (1 mg/kg/d), a vitamin A derivative that decreases the clearance of triglyceride-rich particles. Whole body insulin-mediated glucose disposal (6,6 (2)H(2)glucose), glucose oxidation (indirect calorimetry), lipolysis ((2)H(5) glycerol), and subcutaneous adipose lipolysis (microdialysis) were evaluated during a 3-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Isotretinoin increased plasma triglyceride from 0.97 +/- 0.15 to 1.30 +/- 0.22 mmol/L (P <.02), but did not change whole body insulin-mediated glucose disposal and lipolysis. These observations are consistent with an isotretinoin-induced inhibition of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride clearance. The suppression of endogenous glucose production and the reduction in subcutaneous adipose glycerol concentrations by insulin remained equally unaffected after isotretinoin administration. We conclude that the impaired clearance of triglyceride-rich particles secondary to a 5-day isotretinoin administration does not impair insulin-mediated antilipolysis or glucose disposal. The data support the concept that hypertriglyceridemia-associated insulin resistance develops primarily when triglyceride production is increased.     

Lipolysis in skeletal muscle is decreased in high-fat-fed rats

The intracellular triglyceride content in skeletal muscle is increased in insulin-resistant states such as obesity or high-fat feeding. It has been hypothesized that increased fatty acid oxidation resulting from increased lipolysis of intramyocellular triglycerides may be responsible for this insulin resistance. This study was undertaken to examine whether insulin resistance is associated with increased lipolysis in skeletal muscle in rats fed a high-fat diet. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for 5 weeks. Lipolysis in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was determined by measuring the interstitial glycerol concentrations using a microdialysis method in basal and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp conditions. In the basal state, plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were higher in high-fat-fed rats than in low fat-fed rats (P <.05). In contrast, plasma glycerol levels (P <.001) and interstitial glycerol concentrations of skeletal muscle (P <.05) and adipose tissue (P <.01) were lower in high fat-fed rats than in low fat-fed rats. Plasma (P <.05) and interstitial glycerol concentrations (P <.05 for skeletal muscle, P <.01 for adipose tissue) during the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps were also lower in the high-fat diet group. These results do not support the idea that increased fatty acid oxidation resulting from increased lipolysis of intramyocellular triglycerides is responsible for the insulin resistance in high fat-fed rats.     

Increased sensitivity of diabetic rat adipose tissue towards the lipolytic action of epinephrine

Adipose tissue from streptozotocin-diabetic rats exhibits half-maximal lipolytic responses (FFA, glycerol release, increase in tissue FFA) to epinephrine at hormone concentrations 5-10 times lowere than those required for half-maximal stimulation of lipolysis in adipose tissue from normal rats. The lipolytic response to epinephrine also occurs more promptly and the antilipolytic effect of insulin in the presence of submaximal epinephrine conceptrations is much less pronounced than in normal tissue. In contrast, diabetic adipose tissue is less responsive to ACTH and glucagon than normal tissue. Half-maximal lipolytic responses are elicited by similar dibutyryl cyclic AMP concentrations in both tissues. Insulin treatment of diabetic rats during 24 hrs restores the lipolytic response of their adipose tissue to epinephrine to nearly normal. Our findings point to an abnormality of diabetic adipose tissue possibly related to the hypersensitivity of catecholamines encountered in denervated organs which are adrenergically innvervated. They are consistent with present concept of different hormone discriminators on the fat cell membrane and offer a further explanation for increased FFA mobilization in the diabetic state.     

Metformin reduces lipolysis in primary rat adipocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha or isoproterenol

In patients with type 2 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), the biguanide, metformin, exerts its antihyperglycemic effect by improving insulin sensitivity, which is associated with decreased level of circulating free fatty acids (FFA). The flux of FFA and glycerol from adipose tissue to the blood stream primarily depends on the lipolysis of triacylglycerols in the adipocytes. Adipocyte lipolysis is physiologically stimulated by catecholamine hormones. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine largely expressed in adipose tissue, stimulates chronic lipolysis, which may be associated with increased systemic FFA and insulin resistance in obesity and NIDDM. In this study, we examined the role of metformin in inhibiting lipolytic action upon various lipolytic stimulations in primary rat adipocytes. Treatment with metformin attenuated TNF-alpha-mediated lipolysis by suppressing phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and reversing the downregulation of perilipin protein in TNF-alpha-stimulated adipocytes. The acute lipolytic response to adrenergic stimulation of isoproterenol was also restricted by metformin. A high concentration of glucose in the adipocyte culture promoted the basal rate of glycerol release and significantly enhanced the lipolytic action stimulated by either TNF-alpha or isoproterenol. Metformin not only inhibits the basal lipolysis simulated by high glucose, but also suppresses the high glucose-enhanced lipolysis response to TNF-alpha or isoproterenol. The antilipolytic action in adipocytes could be the mechanism by which cellular action by metformin reduces systemic FFA concentration and thus improves insulin sensitivity in obese patients and the hyperglycemic conditions of NIDDM.     

Lowering plasma free fatty acids with Acipimox mimics the antidiabetic effects of the beta 3-adrenergic agonist CL-316243 in obese Zucker diabetic fatty rats

We previously reported that long-term treatment of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with the selective beta(3) agonist CL-316243 normalizes glycemia, decreases plasma free fatty acids (FFA) concentration, improves insulin responsiveness, and increases glucose uptake, not only in brown and white adipose tissues, but also in skeletal muscles. Because muscles do not express typical beta(3) adrenoceptors, we postulated that the muscle effect was indirect and that it was possibly mediated by an activation of the glucose-fatty acid cycle. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of Acipimox, a potent inhibitor of lipolysis in adipose tissue. Similar to CL-316243, Acipimox (150 mg/kg orally) markedly decreased plasma FFA, glucose, and insulin concentrations and improved glucose tolerance while reducing the insulin response in obese (350 to 400 g) ZDF rats. Plasma FFA concentrations were significantly correlated with plasma glucose and insulin concentrations (r =.72 and.83, respectively; P <.01), indicating strong metabolic relationships between these parameters. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps combined with the 2-[(3)H]deoxyglucose method revealed that Acipimox markedly improved insulin responsiveness and significantly increased glucose uptake (Rg') in the diaphragm, the heart, and various skeletal muscles. Unlike CL-316243, Acipimox did not increase glucose use in brown or white adipose tissues. This selectivity shows that it is possible to improve diabetes in obese ZDF rats without necessarily stimulating thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Thus, decreasing plasma FFA with 2 drugs (Acipimox or CL-316243) that act via different mechanisms (acute inhibition of lipolysis or chronic stimulation of FFA oxidation) is associated with increased glucose uptake in muscles and enhanced insulin responsiveness. These observations support the hypothesis that CL-316243 may indirectly stimulate glucose uptake in muscles of type II diabetic rats by first stimulating brown adipose tissue (increasing uncoupling protein content and fatty acid oxidation) and progressively decreasing the levels of circulating FFA, resulting in activation of the glucose-fatty acid cycle or other mechanisms regulating insulin responsiveness in skeletal muscles.     

Mechanisms of metformin inhibiting lipolytic response to isoproterenol in primary rat adipocytes

The mobilization of free fatty acids (FFA) from adipose tissue to the bloodstream primarily depends on triacylglycerol lipolysis in adipocytes. Catecholamines are major hormones that govern lipolysis through elevating cellular cAMP production and activating protein kinase, cAMP dependent, catalytic, alpha (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (MAPK1/3). Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with elevated levels of systemic FFA, which restricts glucose utilization and induces insulin resistance. The biguanide metformin exerts its antihyperglycemic effect by enhancing insulin sensitivity, which is associated with decreased levels of circulating FFA. In this study, we examined the characteristics and basis of the inhibitory effect of metformin on adrenergic-stimulated lipolysis in primary rat adipocytes. We measured the release of FFA and glycerol as an index of lipolysis and examined the major signalings of the lipolytic cascade in primary rat adipocytes. Metformin at 250-500 microM efficiently attenuated FFA and glycerol release from the adipocytes stimulated with 1 microM isoproterenol. To elucidate the basis for this antilipolytic action, we showed that metformin decreased cellular cAMP production, reduced the activities of PKA and MAPK1/3, and attenuated the phosphorylation of perilipin during isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. Further, metformin suppressed isoproterenol-promoted lipase activity but did not affect the translocation of lipase, hormone-sensitive from the cytosol to lipid droplets in adipocytes. This study provides evidence that metformin acts on adipocytes to suppress the lipolysis response to catecholamine. This antilipolytic effect could be a cellular basis for metformin decreasing plasma FFA levels and improving insulin sensitivity.     

Effects of fenofibrate on lipid metabolism in adipose tissue of rats

The effect of fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist, on body weight gain and on reduction of adipose tissue pads has been ascribed to increased fat catabolism in liver mainly through the induction of target enzymes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha activation also affects metabolic pathways in adipose tissue of rats treated with fenofibrate (100 mg/kg body weight) for 9 days. Fenofibrate lowered body weight gain and plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but had no influence on food intake and on plasma glucose levels. The activity of lipoprotein lipase of treated animals decreased 50% in epididymal, 29% in retroperitoneal, and was not affected in the mesenteric fat pads. In this study, we show a 34% decrease in epididymal adipose tissue de novo lipogenesis by fenofibrate. The results demonstrate that insulin sensitivity of lipolysis is decreased in fenofibrate-treated rats which resulted in 30% higher rate of glycerol release when compared to the control group. These findings suggest that besides its effects on liver, fenofibrate exerts effects on lipid metabolism in adipose tissue which may contribute to decreasing adiposity.     

Increased rates of lipolysis among human immunodeficiency virus-infected men receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lipodystrophy is associated with fat redistribution, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance; however, the mechanism of insulin resistance remains unknown. We hypothesized that HIV-infected subjects with fat redistribution have increased rates of lipolysis and increased circulating free fatty acid (FFA) levels that contribute to insulin resistance. Anthrompometric and body composition data were obtained and a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on day 1 of the study. Stable isotope infusions of glycerol and palmitate were completed following an overnight fast to assess rates of lipolysis and FFA flux in HIV-infected men (n = 19) with and without fat redistribution and healthy controls (n = 8) on day 2. Total FFA levels after standard glucose challenge were increased among HIV-infected subjects and positively associated with abdominal visceral adipose tissue area. In contrast, fasting total FFA levels were inversely associated with subcutaneous fat area. Rates of basal lipolysis were significantly increased among HIV-infected subjects (rate of appearance [Ra] glycerol, 4.1 +/- 0.2 v 3.3 +/- 0.2 micromol/kg/min in controls; P =.02). Among HIV-infected subjects, use of stavudine (P =.006) and the rate of lipolysis (ie, Ra glycerol, P =.02) were strong positive predictors of insulin resistance as measured by insulin response to glucose challenge, controlling for effects of age, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and protease inhibitor (PI) exposure. These data demonstrate increased rates of lipolysis and increased total FFA levels in HIV-infected subjects and suggest that increased lipolysis may contribute to insulin resistance in this patient population.     

Evidence of insulin resistant lipid metabolism in adipose tissue in familial combined hyperlipidemia,but not type 2 diabetes mellitus

In patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) and type 2 diabetes (DM2) organ-specific differences in insulin resistance may exist. In FCHL and DM2 in vivo insulin mediated muscle glucose uptake and inhibition of lipolysis were studied by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Insulin mediated glucose uptake was impaired to the same extent in both FCHL and DM2. Only FCHL subjects showed no reduction in plasma glycerol concentrations during insulin infusion and incomplete suppression of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations combined. This finding indicated that insulin-induced suppression of lipolysis, or glycerol/FFA utilization, or both, were impaired in FCHL, in contrast to DM2 or control subjects. To analyze these possibilities in more detail, control, FCHL, and DM2 adipocytes were studied in vitro. In contrast to adipocytes from DM2 or control subjects, no reduction in medium FFA concentration was detected with FCHL adipocytes after incubation with insulin. This finding indicated impaired intracellular FFA utilization, most likely impaired FFA re-esterification. Genetic linkage analysis in 18 Dutch families with FCHL revealed no evidence for involvement of LIPE, the hormone sensitive lipase gene, indicating that genetic variation in adipocyte lipolysis by LIPE is not the key defect in FCHL. In conclusion, FCHL as well as DM2 subjects exhibited in vivo insulin resistance to glucose disposal, which occurs mainly in muscle. FCHL subjects showed insulin resistant adipose tissue lipid metabolism, in contrast to DM2 and controls. The different pattern of organ-specific insulin resistance in FCHL versus DM2 advances our understanding of differences and similarities in phenotypes between these disorders.     

Insulin regulation of plasma free fatty acid concentrations is abnormal in healthy subjects with muscle insulin resistance

This study evaluated the ability of insulin to regulate free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations in healthy nondiabetic subjects selected to be either insulin-resistant or -sensitive on the basis of insulin-mediated glucose disposal by muscle. Comparisons of steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG), insulin (SSPI), and FFA concentrations were made at the end of 3 infusion periods: (1) under basal insulin conditions (approximately 10 microU/mL), (2) in response to isoproterenol-induced stimulation of lipolysis at the same basal insulin concentration, and (3) following inhibition of isoproterenol-induced lipolysis by a 2-fold increase in the insulin concentration. The results showed that steady-state FFA concentrations were significantly higher under basal conditions (360 +/- 73 v 158 +/- 36 microEq/L, P = .02), in response to isoproterenol-induced lipolysis (809 +/- 92 v433 +/- 65 microEq/L, P = .005), and following insulin inhibition of isoproterenol-induced lipolysis (309 +/- 65 v 159 +/- 37 microEq/L, P = .06). These differences were found despite the fact that SSPG concentrations were also higher in insulin-resistant individuals during all 3 infusion periods. These results demonstrate that the ability of insulin to regulate plasma FFA concentrations is impaired in healthy subjects with muscle insulin resistance, indicating that insulin-resistant individuals share defects in the ability of insulin to stimulate muscle glucose disposal and to inhibit adipose tissue lipolysis.     

Comparison of the antilipolytic effects of an A1 adenosine receptor partial agonist in normal and diabetic rats

Introduction and Aims: Elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (2DM). Antilipolytic agents that reduce FFA concentrations may be potentially useful in the treatment of 2DM. Our previous observation that CVT‐3619 lowered plasma FFA and triglyceride concentrations in rats and enhanced insulin sensitivity in rodents with dietary‐induced forms of insulin resistance suggested that it might be of use in the treatment of patients with 2DM. The present study was undertaken to compare the antilipolytic effects of CVT‐3619 in normal (Sprague Dawley, SD) and Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Results: ZDF rats had significantly higher fat pad weight, glucose, insulin and FFA concentrations than those of SD rats. EC₅₀ values for forskolin‐stimulated FFA release from isolated adipocytes from SD and ZDF rats were 750 and 53 nM, respectively (p < 0.05). Maximal forskolin stimulation of FFA release was significantly (p < 0.01) less in ZDF rats (133 ± 60 μM) compared with SD rats (332 ± 38 μM). EC₅₀ values for isoproterenol to increase lipolysis in adipocytes from SD and ZDF rats were 2 and 7 nM respectively. Maximal isoproterenol‐stimulated lipolysis was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in adipocytes from ZDF rats (179 ± 23 μM) compared with SD rats (343 ± 27 μM). Insulin inhibited lipolysis in adipocytes from SD rats with an IC₅₀ value of 30 pM, whereas adipocytes from ZDF rats were resistant to the antilipolytic actions of insulin. In contrast, IC₅₀ values for CVT‐3619 to inhibit the release of FFA from SD and ZDF adipocytes were essentially the same (63 and 123 nM respectively). CVT‐3619 inhibited lipolysis more than insulin in both SD (86 vs. 46%, p < 0.001) and ZDF (80 vs. 13%, p < 0.001) adipocytes. In in vivo experiments, CVT‐3619 (5 mg/kg, PO) lowered FFA to a similar extent in both groups. Plasma concentrations of CVT‐3619 were not different in SD and ZDF rats. There was no significant difference in the messenger RNA expression of the A₁ receptors relative to β‐actin expression in adipocytes from SD (0.98 ± 0.2) and ZDF rats (0.99 ± 0.3). Conclusion: The antilipolytic effects of CVT‐3619 appear to be independent of insulin resistance and animal model.     

Suppression of systemic, intramuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis by insulin in humans

In addition to sc and visceral fat deposits, muscle has been shown to contain relevant amounts of lipids whose breakdown is subject to hormonal regulation. The aim of the present study was to determine insulin dose-response characteristics of systemic, sc adipose tissue and muscle lipolysis in humans. We used a combination of isotopic (primed continuous infusion of [d5]glycerol) and microdialysis techniques (catheters placed in the anterior tibial muscle and sc abdominal adipose tissue) during a three-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (insulin infusion, 0.1, 0.25, 1.0 mU/kg x min) in 13 lean, healthy volunteers. The glycerol rate of appearance was used as the index for systemic lipolysis; interstitial glycerol concentrations were used as the index for muscle and sc adipose tissue lipolysis. The insulin concentrations resulting in a half-maximal suppression (EC50) of systemic lipolysis, adipose tissue, and muscle lipolysis were 51, 68, and 44 pmol/L, respectively (between one another, P < 0.001). For each compartment there were significant correlations between the EC50 and the insulin sensitivity index for glucose disposal (r > 0.67; P < 0.05). However, lipolysis (as percent of baseline) was similar during the first two insulin infusion steps, but was significantly lower in adipose (22+/-2%) than in muscle (53+/-4%; P < 0.001) during step 3. Although we have no direct measurement of interstitial insulin concentrations, we conclude that based on the EC50 values, muscle is more sensitive with respect to the net effect of circulating insulin (transendothelial transport plus intracellular action) on lipolysis than sc adipose tissue in terms of exerting its full suppression within the physiological insulin range. This could be important in muscle for switching from preferential utilization of free fatty acids to glucose in the postprandial state. Inadequate suppression of im lipolysis resulting in excessive local availability of free fatty acids may represent a novel mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of impaired glucose disposal, i.e. insulin resistance, in muscle.     

The effects of exercise and adipose tissue lipolysis on plasma adiponectin concentration and adiponectin receptor expression in human skeletal muscle

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that adiponectin regulates plasma free fatty acid (FFA) clearance by stimulating FFA uptake and/or oxidation in muscle. We aimed to determine changes in plasma adiponectin concentration and adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle during and after prolonged exercise under normal, fasting conditions (high FFA trial; HFA) and following pharmacological inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis (low FFA trial; LFA). Furthermore, we aimed to detect and locate adiponectin in skeletal muscle tissue. METHODS: Ten subjects performed two exercise trials (120 min at 50% VO(2max)). Indirect calorimetry was used to determine total fat oxidation rate. Plasma samples were collected at rest, during exercise and during post-exercise recovery to determine adiponectin, FFA and glycerol concentrations. Muscle biopsies were taken to determine adiponectin protein and adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 mRNA expression and to localise intramyocellular adiponectin. RESULTS: Basal plasma adiponectin concentrations averaged 6.57+/-0.7 and 6.63+/-0.8 mg/l in the HFA and LFA trials respectively, and did not change significantly during or after exercise. In the LFA trial, plasma FFA concentrations and total fat oxidation rates were substantially reduced. However, plasma adiponectin and muscle adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 mRNA expression did not differ between trials. Immunohistochemical staining of muscle cross-sections showed the presence of adiponectin in the sarcolemma of individual muscle fibres and within the interfibrillar arterioles. CONCLUSION: Plasma adiponectin concentrations and adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 mRNA expression in muscle are not acutely regulated by changes in adipose tissue lipolysis and/or plasma FFA concentrations. Adiponectin is abundantly expressed in muscle, and, for the first time, it has been shown to be present in/on the sarcolemma of individual muscle fibres.     

Effects of rapid glucose infusion on in vivo and in vitro free fatty acid re-esterification by adipose tissue of fasted obese subjects

Adipose tissue lipolysis and fatty acid re-esterification were examined simultaneously in vivo and in vitro in fasted human subjects receiving a constant intravenous infusion of 14C palmitate and large intravenous infusions of glucose and insulin. Under these circumstances, the plasma [FFA] declines rapidly while the specific activity of plasma FFA increases. Plasma [glycerol] remains stable or declines slowly. These in vivo changes in FFA and glycerol metabolism appear to reflect increased adipose tissue re-esterification of FFA, without an attendant decline in rate of lipolysis. However, in vitro rates of re-esterification in gluteal adipose tissue did not change sufficiently to account for the in vivo phenomena. We conclude that: (1) re-esterification in adipose tissue is an important mechanism for the decline in [FFA] induced by glucose infusion in fasted man, but in vitro studies of adipose tissue from a gluteal site do not explain the changes in plasma free fatty acid levels; (2) our data suggest that control of the net mixture of metabolic fuels leaving the adipocyte may be under the influence of pericellular blood flow in addition to ambient humoral factors or intrinsic characteristics of the adipocyte.     

Elevated regional lipolysis in hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increased levels of circulating free fatty acids (FFA) and increased lipid oxidation, but it is uncertain which regional fat depots contribute. The present study was designed to define the participation of femoral and abdominal fat stores in the overall stimulation of lipolysis in hyperthyroidism in the basal state and during insulin stimulation. We studied nine women with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism (HT) and after (euthyroidism, ET) medical treatment with methimazol and compared with eight control subjects (CTR). All subjects were studied in the postabsorptive state and during a 3-h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp with microdialysis catheters sc in the abdominal and femoral adipose tissue. Before treatment, patients had elevated circulating concentrations of triiodthyronine, FFA, and glycerol. Levels of interstitial glycerol ( micro mol/liter) in abdominal adipose tissue [485 +/- 24 (HT), 226 +/- 20 (ET) (P < 0.001), 265 +/- 34 (CTR) (P < 0.001)] and in femoral adipose tissue [468 +/- 41(HT), 245 +/- 29 (ET) (P < 0.01), 278 +/- 31(CTR) (P < 0.005)] were elevated in the basal hyperthyroid state, and these differences prevailed during the glucose clamp [230 +/- 23 (HT), 113 +/- 13 (ET) (P < 0.01), 132 +/- 22(CTR) (P < 0.01) and 303 +/- 39 (HT), 122 +/- 15 (ET) (P < 0.01), 166 +/- 21(CTR) (P < 0.01)]. These results suggest that femoral and abdominal adipose tissue contribute equally to the excessive rate of lipolysis in hyperthyroidism and that both tissues are resistant to the actions of insulin.     

Biological action of the lipotrophic peptides A and B from pig pituitary glands.

In vitro lipolysis was stimulated by porcine pituitary peptides A and B in the rabbit, rat, mouse, and guinea pig. The minimal effective doses were calculated from log dose response curves for free fatty acids and free glycerol liberation. The rabbit was most sensitive responding to 0.008 mug/ml (1.4 pM/ml) peptide A and 0.06 mug/ml (5.3 pM/ml) peptide B respectively. Minipig adipose tissue showed no reaction up to a peptide concentration of 100 mug/ml. After intravenous injection of either peptide at the concentration of 50 mug/kg, FFA and free glycerol increased rapidly in the rabbit with maximal concentrations at 30 min, returning to near normal concentrations after 240 min. Blood glucose concentrations increased continuously in spite of hyperinsulinaemia with a peak concentration at 60 min and complete normalisation after 2 h. Hypertriglyceridaemia and hypocalcaemia were observed in both lipotrophin and control groups. Furthermore, the saline injected rabbits also displayed a slight increase of glucose, FFA, and free glycerol plasma concentrations towards the end of the experiments, suggesting stress stimulated lipolysis. The insulinotrophic effect of both peptides was verified by the fact that injection of lipid emulsion plus heparin led to a comparable increase in FFA and glucose, but to no change in insulin concentrations.     

Increased expression of oxidative enzymes in adipose tissue following PPARα-activation

ObjectiveEvaluate the effect of fenofibrate treatment on the expression of PPARα and oxidative enzymes in adipose tissue.Materials/methodsWistar male rats were fed a balanced diet supplemented with 100 mg.Kg-1 bw.day-1 fenofibrate (Sigma) during nine days. Plasma glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) leptin and insulin were determined. PPARα, ACO and CPT-1 mRNA expression and amount of PPARα and PPARγ protein were assessed in epididymal adipose tissue. Oral glucose tolerance test was evaluated into overnight fasted rats. Glucose uptake was measured in adipocytes isolated from epididymal fat pads in the presence or absence of insulin (25 ng/mL).ResultsFenofibrate treatment increased PPARα and PPARγ protein abundance in adipose tissue. In addition to it well- known effect on oxidative enzymes in liver, fenofibrate treatment also induces a high expression of Acyl CoA Oxidase (ACO) and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) in adipose tissue. Furthermore, we have shown that the fenofibrate treatment improves the glucose tolerance and enhance the glucose uptake by adipocytes.ConclusionAltogether, the data suggest that fenofibrate have a direct effect in adipose tissue contributing to the low adiposity and improvement of glucose homeostasis.     

Lipolysis and the antilipolytic effect of insulin in adipocytes from rats adapted to a high-protein diet

Free fatty acid (FFA) mobilization during fasting was investigated in rats fed a high-protein, carbohydrate-free (HP) diet (70% casein, 8% fat, wt/wt) or a balanced diet (66% carbohydrate, 17% casein, 8% fat) for 30 to 40 days. In vivo, rats on the HP diet showed reduced rates of plasma FFA increase during fasting. Their blood sugar remained unchanged and was higher than that of control rats 24 hours after removal of food. In the fed state, serum insulin levels were smaller in HP-fed rats but did not differ significantly in the two experimental groups during fasting. In vitro, the rates of glycerol and FFA release by epididymal fat pads obtained from fasted rats were similar in rats consuming the HP diet. Fat cells isolated from rats on the HP diet also had reduced rates of basal lipolysis. Furthermore, they showed a significant increase in responsiveness to the lipolytic action of noradrenaline and an increase in both sensitivity and responsiveness to the inhibitory effect of insulin on noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. Adipocytes from HP-fed and control rats had mean diameters of 51 and 60 mu, respectively, and estimated average volumes of 90 and 142 pL. On the basis of existing data on the correlation between size and lipolytic activity of fat cells, the smaller size of the adipocytes from HP-fed rats might account for the lower rate of basal lipolysis but not for the increased response to the hormones. The increased sensitivity of fat cells to the antilipolytic action of insulin may have been an important factor in the reduced lipomobilization during fasting in rats under the high-protein regimen.     

In situ lipolytic regulation in subjects born small for gestational age

OBJECTIVE: Subjects born small for gestational age (SGA) who are prone to develop insulin resistance in adulthood display an abnormal development pattern of the adipose tissue during fetal and postnatal life. Since the lipolytic activity of the adipose tissue is critical in the development of insulin resistance, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether SGA itself might affect lipolysis regulation. STUDY DESIGN: We studied the effect of catecholamines, by local injection of isoproterenol, and the effect of insulin, using two-step infusion at 8 and 40 mU/m2/min, on the in situ lipolysis of the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue of 23 subjects born SGA and 23 born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), using the microdialysis technique. RESULTS: Under isoproterenol infusion, the increase in dialysate glycerol concentration was significantly 1.5-fold higher in the SGA than in the AGA group (P=0.02) and induced a 20% increase in the plasma FFA concentration (P=0.04), whereas no significant increase was observed in the AGA group. The antilipolytic action of insulin on dialysate glycerol concentration was similar in both groups throughout the insulin infusion. CONCLUSION: Subjects born SGA demonstrated a hyperlipolytic reactivity to catecholamines, which might be regarded as an additional deleterious component of the insulin resistance associated with SGA. In contrast, being born SGA does not directly affect the antilipolytic action of insulin, showing that it does not play a major role in causing the long-term metabolic complications associated with reduced fetal growth.