Inhibition of porcine adipose tissue lipogenesis by beta-adrenergic agonists

1. Beta-adrenergic agonists were not effective inhibitors of lipogenesis in porcine adipose tissue slices in vitro; addition of theophylline permitted the inhibition. 2. Inhibition was increased to a greater extent by isoproterenol than epinephrine and was decreased by propranolol, therefore presumably via beta-adrenergic receptors. 3. Caffeine, isobutylmethylxanthine and theophylline all permitted inhibition of lipogenesis by beta-adrenergic agonists. 4. It is not clear whether the mechanism for this permissive action is via antagonism of the adenosine receptor, inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase or a combination of both. 5. Adenosine deaminase was weakly permissive, presumably through destruction of adenosine. Inhibition of lipogenesis was observed with glucose or acetate as lipogenic substrate and in the presence or absence of albumin.     

Metabolic pathways involved in lipogenesis from lactate and acetate in bovine adipose tissue: Effects of metabolic inhibitors

Metabolic inhibitors were used in vitro in an attempt to elucidate the biochemical pathways by which lactate is converted to fatty acids by bovine adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained by biopsy techniques from steers fed a high-energy ration. Kynurenate (α-2-diamino-γ-oxabenzenebutanoic acid) (5–10 mm), an inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and cerulenin (2,3-epoxy-4-oxo-7,10-dodecadienamide) (20–100 μg/ml), an inhibitor of the fatty acid synthetase enzyme complex, inhibited fatty acid synthesis from both acetate and lactate. The hydrogen acceptor, N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (10 μm) inhibited acetate but not lactate incorporation into fatty acids. α-Cyanohydroxycinnamate (5 mm) and phenylpyruvate (10 mm), which inhibit pyruvate entry into the mitochondria and pyruvate carboxylase, respectively, decreased lipogenesis from both acetate and lactate. The effects of phenylpyruvate on lipogenesis from acetate were greater in the presence of glucose plus insulin. Agaric acid (2-hydroxy-1,2,3-nonadecanetricarboxylic acid) (0.2 and 1.0 mm), which inhibits citrate efflux from the mitochondria also decreased lipogenesis from both acetate and lactate. Fluoroacetate (2.5 mm), an inhibitor of aconitate hydratase, had no effect on lipogenesis from acetate; but, in the presence of glucose or pyruvate, decreased lactate incorporation into fatty acids. n-Butylmalonate (5 mm), which blocks malate transport across the mitochondrial membrane, decreased lipogenesis from lactate but not acetate. Malate transport during lipogenesis is not associated with an operative malate:asparate shuttle in bovine adipose tissue, as indicated by the lack of effect of either 0.2 or 1.0 mm aminooxyacetate, a transaminase inhibitor, on lipogenesis from acetate or lactate. The results suggest a functional ATP-citrate lyase:NADP-malate dehydrogenase pathway in bovine subcutaneous adipose tissue and that this pathway may be involved in lipogenesis from acetate as well as lactate.     

Effect of propionate on lipogenesis in adipose tissue

The metabolism of propionate in adipose tissue and its effect on lipogenesis was investigated. Fasting induced changes in propionate metabolism of adipose tissue, drastically reducing higher fatty acid synthesis and increasing glyceride-glyerol formation from low concentrations of propionate (0.25 mM). Propionate also promoted lipogenesis from acetate-1-(14)C in tissues of fasted rats, while it inhibited lipogenesis and CO(2) formation from acetate in the fed animal. Treatment with actinomycin D or ethionine abolished both the increased glyceride-glycerol formation from propionate and the promoting effect on lipogenesis from acetate. Synthesis of long-chain fatty acids from propionate-1-(14)C was increased by actinomycin treatment. The change in propionate metabolism induced by fasting is, however, not entirely due to its conversion to glyceride-glycerol, since the latter was almost completely blocked by malonate while part of the promoting effect on fatty acid synthesis persisted.     

Regulation of lipogenesis by glucocorticoids and insulin in human adipose tissue

Patients with glucocorticoid (GC) excess, Cushing's syndrome, develop a classic phenotype characterized by central obesity and insulin resistance. GCs are known to increase the release of fatty acids from adipose, by stimulating lipolysis, however, the impact of GCs on the processes that regulate lipid accumulation has not been explored. Intracellular levels of active GC are dependent upon the activity of 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and we have hypothesized that 11β-HSD1 activity can regulate lipid homeostasis in human adipose tissue (Chub-S7 cell line and primary cultures of human subcutaneous (sc) and omental (om) adipocytes. Across adipocyte differentiation, lipogenesis increased whilst β-oxidation decreased. GC treatment decreased lipogenesis but did not alter rates of β-oxidation in Chub-S7 cells, whilst insulin increased lipogenesis in all adipocyte cell models. Low dose Dexamethasone pre-treatment (5 nM) of Chub-S7 cells augmented the ability of insulin to stimulate lipogenesis and there was no evidence of adipose tissue insulin resistance in primary sc cells. Both cortisol and cortisone decreased lipogenesis; selective 11β-HSD1 inhibition completely abolished cortisone-mediated repression of lipogenesis. GCs have potent actions upon lipid homeostasis and these effects are dependent upon interactions with insulin. These in vitro data suggest that manipulation of GC availability through selective 11β-HSD1 inhibition modifies lipid homeostasis in human adipocytes.     

Brain insulin controls adipose tissue lipolysis and lipogenesis

White adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (DM2). Unrestrained WAT lipolysis results in increased fatty acid release, leading to insulin resistance and lipotoxicity, while impaired de novo lipogenesis in WAT decreases the synthesis of insulin-sensitizing fatty acid species like palmitoleate. Here, we show that insulin infused into the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) of Sprague-Dawley rats increases WAT lipogenic protein expression, inactivates hormone-sensitive lipase (Hsl), and suppresses lipolysis. Conversely, mice that lack the neuronal insulin receptor exhibit unrestrained lipolysis and decreased de novo lipogenesis in WAT. Thus, brain and, in particular, hypothalamic insulin action play a pivotal role in WAT functionality.     

In vitro neovasculogenic potential of resident adipose tissue precursors

Adipose tissue development is associated with neovascularization, which might be exploited therapeutically. We investigated the neovasculogenesis antigenic profile and kinetics in adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) to understand the potential of ADSCs to generate new vessels. Murine and human visceral adipose tissues were processed with collagenase to obtain ADSCs from the stromal vascular fraction. Freshly isolated murine and human ADSCs featured the expression of early markers of endothelial differentiation [uptake of DiI-labeled acetylated LDL, CD133, CD34, kinase insert domain receptor (KDR)], but not markers for more mature endothelial cells (CD31 and von Willebrand factor). In methylcellulose medium, multilocular cells positive for Oil Red O staining appeared after 6 days. After 10 days, clusters of ADSCs spontaneously formed branched tubelike structures, which were strongly positive for CD34 and CD31, while losing their ability to undergo adipocyte differentiation. In Matrigel, in the presence of endothelial growth factors ADSCs formed branched tubelike structures. By clonal assays in methylcellulose we also determined the frequency of granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) colony-forming units from ADSCs, compared with bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) used as a positive control. After 4-14 days, BMSCs formed 8 +/- 3 BFU-E and 40 +/- 10 CFU-GM, while ADSCs never produced colonies of myeloid progenitors. The developing adipose tissue has neovasculogenic potential, based on the recruitment of local rather than circulating progenitors. Adipose tissue might therefore be a viable autonomous source of cells for postnatal neovascularization.     

The stimulation of lipogenesis in white adipose tissue from fed rats by corticosterone

The direct effects of a physiological concentration of corticosterone (50 ng ml-1) in presence of insulin (200 microU ml-1) on lipid synthesis and CO2 production from glucose and glycerol release were evaluated in vitro in white adipose tissue after pre-incubation with the hormones. Lipid synthesis was 27% higher after 24 h and 66% higher after 48h pre-incubation with corticosterone and insulin compared with insulin alone. Basal and adrenaline-stimulated glycerol release and CO2 production were unchanged after pre-incubation with both hormones compared with insulin alone. We propose that corticosterone acts as a pro-lipogenic hormone on adipose tissue in the fed rat, in contrast to its glucose sparing effects in the fasted animal.     

The effect of insulin on porcine adipose tissue lipogenesis

1. This laboratory and others have not been able to demonstrate consistent insulin stimulation of glucose incorporation into lipid by porcine adipose tissue in vitro. 2. A multiplicity of tissue handling procedures, additions to the incubation medium, and pig size (age) did not allow the expression of a consistent and substantial insulin stimulation. 3. It is suggested that the twofold or greater stimulation of glucose metabolism observed occasionally in this laboratory results from pig genetics, husbandry, or seasonal effects.     

Differences in the regulation of adipose tissue and liver lipogenesis by carbohydrates in humans

We assessed the contributions of human liver and adipose tissue de novo lipogenesis (DNL) to triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis. Volunteers were fed a high-energy, high-carbohydrate diet (HC, n = 5) or a normocaloric diet (NC, n = 10). NC subjects remained in the fasting state (Study 1, n = 5) or received oral glucose (Study 2, n = 5) throughout the test (12 h). HC subjects remained in the fasting state (Study 3). They ingested deuterated water and [U-13C]acetate to trace lipogenesis. Adipose tissue fatty-acid (FA) synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), and SREBP-1c mRNA were measured. Plasma TAG-FA was labeled by 13C and deuterium showing active liver lipogenesis, which was stimulated (P < 0.05) by oral glucose and HC diet. Adipose tissue TAG had no detectable 13C enrichment in any test, showing no significant incorporation of TAG-FA provided by liver lipogenesis, but were labeled by deuterium in all tests, showing active DNL in situ; however, rough quantitative estimates showed that adipose DNL was minimal (<1 g), and poorly stimulated by oral glucose or HC diet. mRNA levels were not increased by the HC diet. Adipose DNL is active in humans, but contributes little to TAG stores and is less responsive than liver DNL to stimulation by carbohydrates.     

Inhibition of adipose differentiation by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase plays an important role in various cellular signaling mechanisms in several cell systems. The role of PI 3-kinase in adipose differentiation was investigated. For this purpose, we examined the effect of specific inhibitors of PI 3-kinase on the differentiation of two adipogenic cell lines, 1246 and 3T3-L1. The results show that two structurally different inhibitors of PI 3-kinase, i.e., LY294002 and wortmannin, blocked adipose differentiation in a time and dose-dependent fashion. The results from time- course studies indicated that PI 3-kinase activity is most important in the early phase (day 4 to day 6) of the differentiation program. The effect of PI 3-kinase inhibitor on the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, a master regulator in adipogenesis induced during the differentiation process, was also examined. LY294002 significantly inhibited the induction of PPARγ mRNA expression. During the initiation phase of adipogenesis (day 4 to day 6), the expression of PPARγ was induced and LY294002 blocked the increase of expression of PPARγ mRNA. The inhibition of expression of PPARγ may provide a molecular mechanism for the action of PI 3-kinase inhibitors on adipose differentiation. J Cell Physiol 178:9–16, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Inhibition of insulin-dependent lipogenesis and anti-lipolysis by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) blockers which competitively inhibit the kinase activity of insulin receptors were synthesized and their properties examined. The best insulin receptor kinase (IRK) inhibitors possess either one hydroxyphenyl ring and two carboxyl groups or two phenyl rings and one carboxyl group. All the inhibitors, except tBoc-tyrosine aminomalonate, effectively block the IRK-catalyzed phosphorylation of exogenous substrate, but only partially block receptor autophosphorylation. These PTK blockers inhibit the insulin induced [14C]glucose assimilation into lipids (lipogenesis), but fail to inhibit the anti-lipolytic effect of the hormone. Only tBocTyr-aminomalonate was found to inhibit all the effects of insulin measured: insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of exogenous substrate, IRK autophosphorylation, insulin-dependent lipogenesis and the insulin-dependent anti-lipolytic effect. This inhibitor is the first blocker which is reported to block insulin-dependent anti-lipolysis. The inhibitors examined are devoid of general adverse effects since they have no effect on insulin-independent lipolysis, on [U14C]fructose assimilation or on (-)isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. These studies suggest that insulin-dependent lipogenesis and anti-lipolysis may be mediated by two distinguishable signalling pathways. This study also suggests that PTK inhibitors may become useful tools in the investigation of the signalling pathways of PTKs.     

Hepatic oleate regulates adipose tissue lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation

Hepatic steatosis is associated with detrimental metabolic phenotypes including enhanced risk for diabetes. Stearoyl-CoA desaturases (SCDs) catalyze the synthesis of MUFAs. In mice, genetic ablation of SCDs reduces hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and protects against diet-induced hepatic steatosis and adiposity. To understand the mechanism by which hepatic MUFA production influences adipose tissue stores, we created two liver-specific transgenic mouse models in the SCD1 knockout that express either human SCD5 or mouse SCD3, that synthesize oleate and palmitoleate, respectively. We demonstrate that hepatic de novo synthesized oleate, but not palmitoleate, stimulate hepatic lipid accumulation and adiposity, reversing the protective effect of the global SCD1 knockout under lipogenic conditions. Unexpectedly, the accumulation of hepatic lipid occurred without induction of the hepatic DNL program. Changes in hepatic lipid composition were reflected in plasma and in adipose tissue. Importantly, endogenously synthesized hepatic oleate was associated with suppressed DNL and fatty acid oxidation in white adipose tissue. Regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between adipose tissue lipid fuel utilization and hepatic and adipose tissue lipid storage. These data suggest an extrahepatic mechanism where endogenous hepatic oleate regulates lipid homeostasis in adipose tissues.     

Insulin-like effects of fluoroacetate on lipolysis and lipogenesis in adipose tissue.

Hormone-stimulated lipolysis in adipose tissue was inhibited by fluoroacetate and there was a concomitant decrease in both the basal and hormone-stimulated cyclic AMP levels. Adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) activity in membrane preparations was inhibited by fluoroacetate. There was no influence of fluoroacetate on the low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) activity. The rate of glucose conversion to fatty acids was increased when adipose tissue was incubated in the presence of fluoroacetate. The outputs of pyruvate and lactate into the incubation medium were decreased at this time, suggesting decreased tissue pyruvate levels and a site of activation of lipogenesis distal to pyruvate formation. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1) activity was increased twofold in adipose tissue incubated in the presence of fluoroacetate. This was attributed to a fluoroacetate-induced inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, the enzyme responsible for inactivating the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Glucose transport was increased to a small but significant degree by fluoroacetate. In addition, both the tissue content of citrate and its release into the incubation medium were increased, suggesting that fluoroacetate resulted in an inhibition of aconitase (EC 4.2.1.3). The tissue ATP content was unchanged. Because the antilipolytic and lipogenic effects of fluoroacetate parallel those of insulin, they may share a common mechanism.     

Effects of high-carbohydrate diets on lipogenesis in rat interscapular brown adipose tissue

Cycloplasmic preparations from brown and white adipose tissues were assayed for three lipogenic enzymes throughout a programme of starvation followed by refeeding on either a normal or a white-bread diet. In the brown adipose tissue of rats fed on a white-bread diet the three enzymes were elevated to levels significantly higher than those in white adipose tissue.     

New device for preparing thin slices of adipose tissue for metabolic studies in vitro

A new microtome is described which allows the rapid preparation of equal slices of well-defined thickness of fresh human tissue, especially adipose tissue. Presetting the microtome for a section thickness of 500 micro m, we found a variation of about 5% with human adipose tissue. Slices of human adipose tissue sliced by the microtome showed a higher sensitivity to insulin and a better reproducibility of results than slices prepared freehand.