Fatty acids regulate the expression of lipoprotein lipase gene and activity in preadipose and adipose cells

FGF10 and Lipofibroblasts in Lung Homeostasis and Disease: Insights Gained From the Adipocytes

Adipocytes not only function as energy depots but also secrete numerous adipokines that regulate multiple metabolic processes, including lipid homeostasis. Dysregulation of lipid homeostasis, which often leads to adipocyte hypertrophy and/or ectopic lipid deposition in non-adipocyte cells such as muscle and liver, is linked to the development of insulin resistance. Similarly, an altered secretion profile of adipokines or imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure is associated with obesity, among other related metabolic disorders. In lungs, lipid-laden adipocyte-like cells known as lipofibroblasts share numerous developmental and functional similarities with adipocytes, and similarly influence alveolar lipid homeostasis by facilitating pulmonary surfactant production. Unsurprisingly, disruption in alveolar lipid homeostasis may propagate several chronic inflammatory disorders of the lung. Given the numerous similarities between the two cell types, dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying adipocyte development and function will offer valuable insights that may be applied to, at least, some aspects of lipofibroblast biology in normal and diseased lungs. FGF10, a major ligand for FGFR2b, is a multifunctional growth factor that is indispensable for several biological processes, including development of various organs and tissues such as the lung and WAT. Moreover, accumulating evidence strongly implicates FGF10 in several key aspects of adipogenesis as well as lipofibroblast formation and maintenance, and as a potential player in adipocyte metabolism. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of FGF10 in adipocytes, while attempting to derive insights on the existing literature and extrapolate the knowledge to pulmonary lipofibroblasts.

mTORC1 restrains adipocyte lipolysis to prevent systemic hyperlipidemia

Objective

Pharmacological agents targeting the mTOR complexes are used clinically as immunosuppressants and anticancer agents and can extend the lifespan of model organisms. An undesirable side effect of these drugs is hyperlipidemia. Although multiple roles have been described for mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) in lipid metabolism, the etiology of hyperlipidemia remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of adipocyte mTORC1 signaling in systemic lipid homeostasis in vivo.

Methods

We characterized systemic lipid metabolism in mice lacking the mTORC1 subunit Raptor (Raptor^aKO), the key lipolytic enzyme ATGL (ATGL^aKO), or both (ATGL-Raptor^aKO) in their adipocytes.

Results

Mice lacking mTORC1 activity in their adipocytes failed to completely suppress lipolysis in the fed state and displayed prominent hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Blocking lipolysis in their adipose tissue restored normal levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the fed state as well as the ability to clear triglycerides in an oral fat tolerance test.

Conclusions

Unsuppressed adipose lipolysis in the fed state interferes with triglyceride clearance and contributes to hyperlipidemia. Adipose tissue mTORC1 activity is necessary for appropriate suppression of lipolysis and for the maintenance of systemic lipid homeostasis.

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Inhibition of adipose mTORC1 causes hypertriglyceridemia prior to lipodystrophy.

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Genetically inhibiting lipolysis reverses the increase in plasma TG.

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Acute pharmacological inhibition of lipolysis reverses the increase in plasma TG caused by rapamycin treatment.

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Unrestrained lipolysis impairs LPL activity and decreases TG clearance.

HMGB2 is a novel adipogenic factor that regulates ectopic fat infiltration in skeletal muscles

Although various surgical procedures have been developed for chronic rotator cuff tear repair, the re-tear rate remains high with severe fat infiltration. However, little is known about the molecular regulation of this process. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the intra-muscular space are origin of ectopic fat cells in skeletal muscle. We have previously shown that high-mobility group box 2 (HMGB2), which is a nuclear protein commonly associated with mesenchymal differentiation, is involved in the early articular cartilage degeneration. In this study, we addressed the role of HMGB2 in adipogenesis of MSCs and fat infiltration into skeletal muscles. HMGB2 was highly expressed in undifferentiated MSCs and co-localized with platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA) known as an MSC-specific marker, while their expressions were decreased during adipocytic differentiation. Under the deficiency of HMGB2, the expressions of adipogenesis-related molecules were reduced, and adipogenic differentiation is substantially impaired in MSCs. Moreover, HMGB2⁺ cells were generated in the muscle belly of rat supraspinatus muscles after rotator cuff transection, and some of these cells expressed PDGFRA in intra-muscular spaces. Thus, our findings suggest that the enhance expression of HMGB2 induces the adipogenesis of MSCs and the fat infiltration into skeletal muscles through the cascade of HMGB2-PDGFRA.

Targeting fatty acid metabolism to improve glucose metabolism

Disturbances in fatty acid metabolism in adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, gut and pancreas play an important role in the development of insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Alterations in diet composition may contribute to prevent and/or reverse these disturbances through modulation of fatty acid metabolism. Besides an increased fat mass, adipose tissue dysfunction, characterized by an altered capacity to store lipids and an altered secretion of adipokines, may result in lipid overflow, systemic inflammation and excessive lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissues like liver, skeletal muscle and the pancreas. These impairments together promote the development of impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, intrinsic functional impairments in either of these organs may contribute to lipotoxicity and insulin resistance. The present review provides an overview of fatty acid metabolism-related pathways in adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, pancreas and gut, which can be targeted by diet or food components, thereby improving glucose metabolism.

Physiological regulation of lipoprotein lipase

The enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL), originally identified as the clearing factor lipase, hydrolyzes triglycerides present in the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins VLDL and chylomicrons. LPL is primarily expressed in tissues that oxidize or store fatty acids in large quantities such as the heart, skeletal muscle, brown adipose tissue and white adipose tissue. Upon production by the underlying parenchymal cells, LPL is transported and attached to the capillary endothelium by the protein GPIHBP1. Because LPL is rate limiting for plasma triglyceride clearance and tissue uptake of fatty acids, the activity of LPL is carefully controlled to adjust fatty acid uptake to the requirements of the underlying tissue via multiple mechanisms at the transcriptional and post-translational level. Although various stimuli influence LPL gene transcription, it is now evident that most of the physiological variation in LPL activity, such as during fasting and exercise, appears to be driven via post-translational mechanisms by extracellular proteins. These proteins can be divided into two main groups: the liver-derived apolipoproteins APOC1, APOC2, APOC3, APOA5, and APOE, and the angiopoietin-like proteins ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and ANGPTL8, which have a broader expression profile. This review will summarize the available literature on the regulation of LPL activity in various tissues, with an emphasis on the response to diverse physiological stimuli.

Low density lipoprotein delays clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein by human subcutaneous adipose tissue

Delayed clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) by white adipose tissue (WAT) promotes hypertriglyceridemia and elevated apoB-lipoproteins, which are primarily in the form of LDL. This study examines whether LDL promotes delayed clearance of TRL by WAT. Following the ingestion of a (13)C-triolein-labeled high-fat meal, obese women with high plasma apoB (> median 0.93 g/l, N = 11, > 98% as IDL/LDL) had delayed clearance of postprandial (13)C-triglyceride and (13)C-NEFA over 6 h compared with controls. AUC6 h of plasma (13)C-triglyceride and (13)C-NEFA correlated with plasma apoB but not with LDL diameter or adipocyte area. There was no group difference in (13)C-triolein oxidation rate, which suggests lower (13)C-NEFA storage in peripheral tissue in women with high apoB. Ex vivo/in vitro plasma apoB correlated negatively with WAT (3)H-lipid following a 4 h incubation of women's WAT with synthetic (3)H-triolein-TRL. LDL-differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes had lower (3)H-TRL hydrolysis and (3)H-NEFA storage. Treatment of women's WAT with their own LDL decreased (3)H-TRL hydrolysis and (3)H-NEFA uptake. Finally, LDL, although not an LPL substrate, reduced LPL-mediated (3)H-TRL hydrolysis as did VLDL and HDL. Exposure to LDL decreases TRL clearance by human WAT ex vivo. This may promote production of apoB-lipoproteins and hypertriglyceridemia through a positive-feedback mechanism in vivo.

Adipocyte differentiation-specific gene transcriptional response to C18 unsaturated fatty acids plus insulin

Adipocyte differentiation (AD) and AD-specific gene expression was studied in 3T3-L1 cells in response to oleic acid (OA) or linoleic acid (LA) alone and in combination with insulin. This system facilitated the study of key regulators of adipogenesis PPARγ and C/EBPα and other AD-specific genes, in the absence of dexamethasone (DEX) and isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX) (components of the traditional AD medium, DMI). Lipid accumulation and expression levels of AD-specific genes were enhanced by both OA and LA in the presence of insulin but not by OA or LA alone. Gene expression levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4, and SREBP1c induced by OA plus insulin, were comparable to DMI medium, by study day 10. The response to long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) plus insulin in the presence or absence of LY294002 demonstrated that the insulin-induced PI 3-kinase pathway regulates AD and AD-specific gene expression levels. Insulin treatment in the presence or absence of genistein suggested that genistein invoked inhibition of AD and AD-specific gene expression. In contrast when LCFA were also included with insulin, the presence of genistein invoked a pronounced and opposite effect on AD to that in the absence of LCFA. This effect may be modulated via C/EBPα as C/EBPα but not PPARγ expression patterns closely reflected the changes in AD. DMI invoked a rapid expression of all genes studied, and LCFA plus insulin invoke more gradual increases in gene expression, to similar levels to those invoked by DMI. The model system is valuable for study of transactivators and response elements of PPARγ and C/EBPα genes.

Distinct effects of oleic acid and itstrans-isomer elaidic acid on the expression of myokines and adipokines in cell models

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) andcis-monounsaturated fat appear to exert detrimental and beneficial effects, respectively, on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are a source of signalling proteins (adipokines and myokines), some of which have been related to the control of insulin sensitivity. Here, we investigated the possible differential effects of elaidic acid (EA;trans-9-18 : 1) – the major component in industrially produced TFA – and oleic acid (OA;cis-9-18 : 1) – itscis-isomer naturally present in food – on cellular glucose uptake and the expression of selected myokines and adipokines using cell models. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with the vehicle (control cells) or fatty acids for 24 h, after which basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and the expression of selected signalling proteins were measured. In C2C12 myotubes, pretreatment with OA, but not with EA, led to increased insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and IL-6 expression levels, while pretreatment with EA, but not with OA, led to reduced IL-15 mRNA levels and increased TNF-α expression levels. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, exposure to OA, but not to EA, resulted in reduced resistin gene expression and increased adiponectin gene expression. The results show evidence of distinct, direct effects of OA and EA on muscle glucose uptake and the expression of target myokines and adipokines, thus suggesting novel mechanisms by whichcis- andtrans-monounsaturated fat may differentially affect systemic functions.

Hormone and pharmaceutical regulation of ASP production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Several studies have demonstrated increases in acylation stimulating protein (ASP), and precursor protein C3 in obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia, however the nature of the regulation is unknown. To evaluate chronic hormonal and pharmaceutical mediated changes in ASP and potential mechanisms, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with physiological concentrations of relevant hormones and drugs currently used in treatment of metabolic diseases for 48 h. Medium ASP production and C3 secretion were evaluated in relation to changes in adipocyte lipid metabolism (cellular triglyceride (TG) mass, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) release and real-time FA uptake). Chylomicrons increased ASP production (up to 411 +/- 133% P < 0.05), while leptin, triiodothyronine, and beta-blockers atenolol and propranolol had no effect. Dexamethasone, lovastatin, rosiglitazone and rimonabant decreased ASP production (-53 to -85%, P < 0.05), associated with a decrease in the precursor protein C3 (-37% to -65%, P < 0.01). By contrast, epinephrine, progesterone, testosterone, angiotensin II and metformin also decreased ASP (-54% to -100%, P < 0.05), but without change in precursor protein C3, suggesting a direct effect on convertase activity, possibly mediated by interference (except metformin) due to marked increases in NEFA (5.6-31-fold, increased P < 0.05). Both lovastatin and metformin induced decreases in ASP were also associated with decreased TG mass (maximal -60%, P < 0.05) and real-time FA uptake (maximum -75%, P < 0.05), suggesting a change in adipocyte differentiation status. These in vitro results are consistent with in vivo ASP profiles in subjects, and suggest that ASP may be regulated through precursor C3 availability, convertase activity and differentiation status.

GPR103b functions in the peripheral regulation of adipogenesis

The activation of G protein-coupled receptor 103 (GPR103) by its endogenous peptidic ligands, QRFPs, is involved in the central regulation of feeding by increasing food intake, body weight, and fat mass after intracerebroventricular injection in mice. However, the role of GPR103 in regulating peripheral metabolic pathways has not yet been explored. The present study aimed to investigate the role of GPR103 in adipogenesis and lipid metabolism using 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. Our results show that differentiated 3T3-L1 cells expressed the GPR103b subtype mRNA and protein, as well as QRFP mRNA. QRFP-43 and -26 induced an increase in triglyceride accumulation of 50 and 41%, respectively, and elicited a dose-dependent increase in fatty acid uptake, by up to approximately 60% at the highest concentration, in 3T3-L1-differentiated cells. QRFP-43 and -26 inhibited isoproterenol (ISO)-induced lipolysis in a dose-dependent manner, with IC(50)s of 2.3 +/- 1.2 and 1.1 +/- 1.0 nm, respectively. The expression of genes involved in lipid uptake (FATP1, CD36, LPL, ACSL1, PPAR-gamma, and C/EBP-alpha), was increased by 2- to 3-fold after treatment with QRFP. The effects of QRFP on ISO-induced lipolysis and fatty acid uptake were abolished when GPR103b was silenced. In a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, the expression of GPR103b in epididymal fat pads was elevated by 16-fold whereas that of QRFP was reduced by 46% compared to lean mice. Furthermore, QRFP was bioactive in omental adipocytes from obese individuals, inhibiting ISO-induced lipolysis in these cells. Our results suggest that GPR103b and QRFP work in an autocrine/paracrine manner to regulate adipogenesis.

Involvement of adipose tissues in the early hypolipidemic action of PPARgamma agonism in the rat

Agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) are insulin sensitizers that potently improve lipemia in rodents. This study aimed to determine the contribution of lipid secretion vs. clearance and the involvement of white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the rapid hypolipidemic action of PPARgamma agonism. Male rats were treated with rosiglitazone (RSG; 15 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) for 1 to 4 days, and determinants of lipid metabolism were assessed postprandially. Serum triglycerides (TG) were lowered (-54%) after 3 days of RSG treatment, due to accelerated clearance from blood without contribution of changes in secretion rates. Both BAT and WAT were the major sites of RSG action on TG clearance, the increase in TG-derived fatty acid (FA) uptake reaching threefold in BAT and 60-90% in WAT depots. Accelerated TG clearance was associated with increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity mostly in BAT. Serum nonesterified FA were lowered (-20%) by a single dose of RSG, an effect associated with increased expression levels of FA binding/transport (fatty acid binding protein-4), esterification (diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1), and recycling glycerol kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase enzymes in BAT and WAT, suggesting FA trapping. After 4 days of RSG treatment, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) uptake was also stimulated in both BAT (2.5-fold) and WAT (40%). These findings demonstrate the causal involvement of increased efficiency of LPL-mediated TG clearance and reveal the important contribution of TG-derived and albumin-bound FA uptake by BAT in the rapid hypolipidemic action of PPARgamma agonism in the rat.

Replacing dietary fish oil by vegetable oils has little effect on lipogenesis, lipid transport and tissue lipid uptake in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In order to investigate the effects of dietary lipid sources on mechanisms involved in lipid deposition, two groups of rainbow trout were fed from first-feeding to the commercial size of 1 kg (for 62 weeks) with two diets differing only by lipid source: 100% fish oil or 100% blend of vegetable oils (55% rapeseed oil, 30% palm oil, 15% linseed oil). The activities and levels of gene expression of lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid synthetase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) in liver and of lipoprotein lipase in perivisceral adipose tissue, white muscle and liver were determined. Transport of lipid was studied by determining lipid composition of plasma and lipoprotein classes. We also examined the clearance of LDL by assaying the level of LDL receptor gene expression in several tissues. Total replacement of dietary fish oil by the blend of vegetable oils did not affect growth of rainbow trout and did not modify muscle lipid content. Hepatic lipogenesis and lipid uptake in perivisceral adipose tissue, white muscle and liver were also not modified by dietary treatments. Diets containing the blend of vegetable oils induced a decrease in plasma cholesterol and LDL. In trout fed the vegetable oils diet, expression of LDL receptor gene in the liver was down-regulated.

Regulation of lipoprotein lipase activity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is considered as a key enzyme in the lipid deposition and metabolism of many tissues. Information on LPL activity and its regulation in fish remains very scarce. In the present study, we have examined the nutritional regulation of LPL activity by conducting post-feeding and fasting experiments in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). As insulin plays an important role in the nutritional regulation of LPL activity in mammals, the effects of this hormone were tested in vivo by intraperitoneal administration. Moreover, we conducted in vitro studies using fat pads of rainbow trout to better clarify the direct role of insulin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) as possible regulators of LPL activity in rainbow trout. LPL activity in adipose tissue increased in response to feeding, 4h after ingestion of food, then decreasing to basal levels at 6h. No clear response was found in either red or white muscles, where LPL values were lower. Moreover, fasting produced a down-regulation of LPL activity in adipose tissue, concomitant with low levels of plasma insulin. While insulin administration stimulated LPL activity of adipose tissue 3h after injection, no response was observed in red or white muscles. Finally, in vitro studies using fat pads revealed that insulin significantly stimulated the proportion of LPL in active conformation at the extracellular level. On the other hand, TNFalpha did not greatly affect LPL activity using this in vitro model. These data indicate that LPL activity is regulated in a tissue-specific manner following food intake, and suggest that insulin is an important regulator of LPL activity in the adipose tissue of rainbow trout.

Diabetes, lipids, and adipocyte secretagogues

That obesity is associated with insulin resistance and type II diabetes mellitus is well accepted. Overloading of white adipose tissue beyond its storage capacity leads to lipid disorders in non-adipose tissues, namely skeletal and cardiac muscles, pancreas, and liver, effects that are often mediated through increased non-esterified fatty acid fluxes. This in turn leads to a tissue-specific disordered insulin response and increased lipid deposition and lipotoxicity, coupled to abnormal plasma metabolic and (or) lipoprotein profiles. Thus, the importance of functional adipocytes is crucial, as highlighted by the disorders seen in both "too much" (obesity) and "too little" (lipodystrophy) white adipose tissue. However, beyond its capacity for fat storage, white adipose tissue is now well recognised as an endocrine tissue producing multiple hormones whose plasma levels are altered in obese, insulin-resistant, and diabetic subjects. The consequence of these hormonal alterations with respect to both glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin target tissues is just beginning to be understood. The present review will focus on a number of these hormones: acylation-stimulating protein, leptin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and resistin, defining their changes induced in obesity and diabetes mellitus and highlighting their functional properties that may protect or worsen lipid metabolism.

ASP enhances in situ lipoprotein lipase activity by increasing fatty acid trapping in adipocytes

Acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) increases triglyceride (TG) storage (fatty acid trapping) in adipose tissue and plays an important role in postprandial TG clearance. We examined the capacity of ASP and insulin to stimulate the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and the trapping of LPL-derived nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Although insulin increased total LPL activity (secreted and cell-associated; P < 0.001) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, ASP moderately stimulated secreted LPL activity (P = 0.04; 5% of total LPL activity). Neither hormone increased LPL translocation from adipocytes to endothelial cells in a coculture system. However, ASP and insulin increased the V(max) of in situ LPL activity ([(3)H]TG synthetic lipoprotein hydrolysis and [(3)H]NEFA incorporation into adipocytes) by 60% and 41%, respectively (P </= 0.01) without affecting K(m). Tetrahydrolipstatin (LPL inhibitor) diminished baseline, ASP-, and insulin-stimulated in situ LPL activity, resulting in [(3)H]TG accumulation (P < 0.0001). Unbound oleate inhibited in situ LPL activity (P < 0.0001) but did not eliminate the ASP stimulatory effect. Therefore, 1) the clearance of TG-rich lipoproteins is enhanced by ASP through increasing TG storage and relieving NEFA inhibition of LPL; and 2) the effectiveness of adipose tissue trapping of LPL-derived NEFAs determines overall LPL activity, which in turn determines the efficiency of postprandial TG clearance.

cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA affect lipid metabolism differently in primary white and brown adipocytes of djungarian hamsters

We explored whether CLA isomers and other C18 FA affect (i) lipid content and FA concentrations in total adipocyte lipids, (ii) FA synthesis from glucose in TAG and phospholipids of primary brown (BAT) and white adipocytes (WAT), and (iii) mRNA expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in primary brown adipocytes of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). c9,t11-CLA, oleic, linoleic, and alpha-linolenic acid increased whereas t10,c12-CLA decreased lipid accumulation in both adipocyte types. t10,c12-CLA treatment affected FA composition mainly in BAT cells. CLA incorporation into lipids, in particular c9,t11-CLA, was higher in BAT. In both cell types, t10,c12-CLA treatment reduced the incorporation of glucose 13C carbon into FA of TAG and phospholipids, whereas c9,t11-CLA, linoleic, and alpha-linolenic acid either did not influence or dose-dependently increased glucose carbon incorporation into FA. UCP1 mRNA expression was inhibited by t10,c12-CLA but increased by c9,t11-CLA, linoleic, and alpha-linolenic acid. It is concluded that c9,t11-CLA and t10,c12-CLA have distinctly different effects on lipid metabolism in primary adipocytes. The effects of c9,t11-CLA are similar to those of other unsaturated C18 FA. The opposite effects of c9,t11-CLA and t10,c12-CLA are evident in both WAT and BAT cultures; however, brown adipocytes seem to be more susceptible to CLA treatment.

VLDL-induced triglyceride accumulation in human macrophages is mediated by modulation of LPL lipolytic activity in the absence of change in LPL mass

Mixed dyslipidemia of phenotype IIB is characterized by elevated levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-1 and VLDL-2 subfractions and of low density lipoprotein (LDL), which are associated with premature formation of atherosclerotic plaques, characterized by the presence of lipid-rich macrophage foam cells. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key factor in mediating macrophage lipid accumulation and foam-cell formation from native VLDL particles. The action of macrophage-derived LPL in the induction of intracellular lipid accumulation from triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) subfractions (VLDL-1, VLDL-2) is, however, indeterminate, as is the potential role of VLDL-1 and VLDL-2 in modulating macrophage LPL expression. We evaluated the role of LPL in the interaction of type IIB VLDL-1 and VLDL-2 with human macrophages. Both VLDL-1 and VLDL-2 subfractions induced significant accumulation of triglyceride (9.8-fold, P<0.0001, and 4.8-fold, P<0.0001, respectively) and of free cholesterol content (1.4-fold, P<0.001, and 1.2-fold, P=0.02, respectively). Specific inhibition (90%) of the lipolytic activity of endogenous LPL by tetrahydrolipstatin (THL) in the presence of VLDL-1 or VLDL-2 resulted in marked reduction in cellular loading of both triglycerides (-89%, P=0.008, and -89%, P=0.015, respectively) and free cholesterol (-76%, P=0.02, and -55%, P=0.06 respectively). Furthermore, VLDL-1 and VLDL-2 induced marked increase in macrophage-derived LPL enzyme activity (+81%, P=0.002, and +45%, P=0.02), but did not modulate macrophage-derived LPL mRNA and protein expression; consequently, LPL specific activity was significantly increased from 1.6 mU/microg at baseline to 4.1 mU/microg (P=0.01) and 3.1 mU/microg (P=0.05), in the presence of VLDL-1 and VLDL-2, respectively. We conclude that type IIB VLDL-1 and VLDL-2 induce triglyceride accumulation in human monocyte-macrophages primarily via the lipolytic action of LPL, which may involve stabilization and activation of the macrophage-secreted enzyme, rather than via modulation of enzyme production.

Lipoprotein lipase: genetics, lipid uptake, and regulation

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) regulates the plasma levels of triglyceride and HDL. Three aspects are reviewed. 1) Clinical implications of human LPL gene variations: common mutations and their effects on plasma lipids and coronary heart disease are discussed. 2) LPL actions in the nervous system, liver, and heart: the discussion focuses on LPL and tissue lipid uptake. 3) LPL gene regulation: the LPL promoter and its regulatory elements are described.

Evidence for selective induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression by unsaturated and nonmetabolized fatty acids in adipocytes

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and 3-thia fatty acids are hypolipidemic and decrease insulin resistance in Type II diabetic animals. To exert such an action, these FAs could decrease adipose tissue lipolysis or increase esterification. Glyceroneogenesis is an important metabolic pathway in adipocytes for re-esterification of FAs originating from lipolysis and in hepatocytes for triacylglycerol synthesis during fasting. Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) plays a key role in this pathway. Here we show that the PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) stimulates PEPCK mRNA in glucose-deprived adipose tissue explants from fed rats and in 3T3-F442A differentiated adipocytes. This effect is maximum at 3 h, stable up to at least 11 h of treatment, and affects the transcription of the gene. PEPCK mRNA half-life is not affected. Among a series of adipocyte transcripts, only the adipocyte lipid binding protein mRNA is also increased by DHA, although later than the PEPCK mRNA and at a much lower extent. DHA has no effect on PEPCK gene expression in the H4IIE hepatoma cells in which this gene is responsive to other inducers like cAMP. This lack of effect is not due to a failure of DHA to act in H4IIE cells since it induces the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) mRNA. Therefore, the DHA effect appears to be cell-selective. Results of experiments using either tetradecylthio acetic acid and alpha-bromopalmitate, two nonmetabolized Fas, or a series of inhibitors of FA metabolism show that the FA effect on PEPCK mRNA is not due to a product of its metabolism. Hence, polyunsaturated and nonmetabolized FAs stimulate adipose PEPCK, therefore potentially enhancing glyceroneogenesis and reducing FA output. This mechanism could participate in the hypolipidemic action of PUFAs.

Fatty acid transport across membranes: relevance to nutrition and metabolic pathology

Long-chain fatty acids are an important constituent of the diet and they contribute to a multitude of cellular pathways and functions. Uptake of long-chain fatty acids across plasma membranes is the first step in fatty acid utilization, and recent evidence supports an important regulatory role for this process. Although uptake of fatty acids involves two components, passive diffusion through the lipid bilayer and protein-facilitated transfer, the latter component appears to play the major role in mediating uptake by key tissues. Identification of several proteins as fatty acid transporters, and emerging evidence from genetically altered animal models for some of these proteins, has contributed significant insight towards understanding the limiting role of transport in the regulation of fatty acid utilization. We are also beginning to better appreciate how disturbances in fatty acid utilization influence general metabolism and contribute to metabolic pathology.

Intracellular fatty acid downregulates ob gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The effect of intracellular free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation on ob gene expression in adipocytes was examined. In fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, triacsin C, a specific acyl CoA synthetase inhibitor with a K(i) of 8.97 microM, inhibited ob gene expression by 20% at 5 x 10(-5)M. At this concentration, triacsin C induced accumulation of intracellular FFA. Treatment with both chylomicron and triacsin C reduced ob gene expression more than treatment with triacsin C alone. Treatment with 2-bromopalmitate, a poorly metabolizable palmitate analog, reduced ob gene expression by 50% at 10(-4)M, but palmitate at the same concentration had no effect. This is the first demonstration that the ob gene is downregulated by intracellular FFA accumulation, thereby raising the possibility that ob product is regulated in response to lipolysis.

Effect of dietary fatty acids on lipoprotein lipase gene expression in the liver and visceral adipose tissue of fed and starved red sea bream Pagrus major

Juvenile red sea bream Pagrus major were fed either a commercial diet (diet 1) or diets supplemented with 10% oleate (diet 2), 5% oleate+5% linoleate (diet 3) or 5% oleate+5% n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid mixture (diet 4) for 4 weeks. Following the conditioning period, the effects of dietary fatty acids on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression in the liver and visceral adipose tissue of fed (5 h post-feeding) and starved (48 h post-feeding) fish were investigated by competitive polymerase chain reaction. Fish liver showed substantial LPL mRNA expression that is not found in adult rat liver. When compared with diet 1, diets 2-4 tended to increase the LPL mRNA level in the liver, but tended to decrease it in the visceral adipose tissue under the fed condition. The reciprocal regulation of the liver and visceral adipose LPL mRNA abundance by dietary fatty acids was comparable to that of rat brown and white adipose tissue, respectively. The change in the LPL mRNA level by fatty acids was not completely consistent with the degree of fatty acid unsaturation. Our results indicate that the regulatory effect of dietary fatty acids on LPL gene expression was tissue-specific and related to feeding conditions, but was not solely dependent on the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids.

The effects of feeding condition and dietary lipid level on lipoprotein lipase gene expression in liver and visceral adipose tissue of red sea bream Pagrus major

The effects of feeding condition and dietary lipid level on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression in the liver and visceral adipose tissue of red sea bream Pagrus major were investigated by competitive polymerase chain reaction. Not only visceral adipose tissue but also liver of red sea bream showed substantial LPL gene expression. In the liver, starvation (at 48 h post-feeding) drastically stimulated LPL gene expression in the fish-fed low lipid diet, but had no effect in the fish fed high lipid diet. Dietary lipid level did not significantly affect the liver LPL mRNA level under fed condition (at 5 h post-feeding). In the visceral adipose tissue, LPL mRNA number per tissue weight was significantly higher in the fed condition than in the starved condition, irrespective of the dietary lipid levels. Dietary lipid levels did not affect the visceral adipose tissue LPL mRNA levels under fed or starved conditions. Our results demonstrate that both feeding conditions and dietary lipid levels alter the liver LPL mRNA levels, while only the feeding conditions but not dietary lipid levels cause changes in the visceral adipose LPL mRNA level. It was concluded that the liver and visceral adipose LPL gene expression of red sea bream seems to be regulated in a tissue-specific fashion by the nutritional state.

Interaction between the Gln-Arg 192 variants of the paraoxonase gene and oleic acid intake as a determinant of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and paraoxonase activity

Olive oil, rich in oleic acid, could play a particular beneficial role in the anti-atherogenic effects attributed to the Mediterranean diet. Paraoxonase (PON1) has emerged as the component of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) most likely to explain its ability to attenuate the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins. We hypothesised that oleic acid intake might be associated with changes in PON1-HDL associated particles, and investigated the impact, if any, on this association of the PON1-192 polymorphism, a common polymorphism that strongly modulates PON1 activity. Six hundred and fifty-four men randomly selected from the census were studied. Oleic acid intake was calculated from a 72-h recall questionnaire with specific software. Oleic acid intake groups (low vs. high) were created by stratifying the population according the median value as a cut-point. After adjusting for confounding variables, high oleic acid intake was associated with increased HDL cholesterol levels and PON1 activity only in subjects with the QR and the RR genotypes, respectively. Analyses of the variance showed a statistically significant interaction between PON1-192 genotypes and oleic acid intake for log PON1 activity (P=0.005) and a marginally significant interaction for HDL cholesterol (P=0.066). These results suggest that the beneficial effect of increasing oleic acid intake on HDL and PON1 activity at population level is especially observed in subjects carrying the R allele of the PON1-192 polymorphism.

A novel fatty acid response element controls the expression of the flight muscle FABP gene of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria

In many tissues, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) expression is stimulated by exposure to elevated fatty acid levels. In contrast to the FABP genes expressed in other tissues, the molecular mechanisms that mediate the upregulation of the muscle FABP gene have not been elucidated. We have studied the expression of locust flight muscle FABP, a protein that is highly homologous to the mammalian H-FABPs. A 130-bp promoter fragment of the locust gene, which includes a canonical TATA box and several GC boxes, is sufficient for the transcription of a reporter gene in mammalian L6 myoblasts. Twofold higher expression rates are observed when the promoter contains 280 bp or more of upstream sequence. Treatment of myoblasts with various fatty acids leads to a marked increase of expression in the longer constructs, but not in the minimal promoter. We have identified a 19-bp inverted repeat (-162/-180) as the element responsible for the fatty acid-mediated induction of gene expression. Deletion of this element eliminates the fatty acid response, and gel shift analysis demonstrates specific binding to nuclear proteins from both L6 myoblasts and locust flight muscle cells. This fatty acid response element bears no similarity to any known transcription factor binding site. A similar palindrome was also found in the promoter of the Drosophila melanogaster muscle FABP gene, and in reverse orientation upstream of all mammalian heart FABP genes. Given the structural and functional conservation of muscle FABPs and their genes, it is possible that this fatty acid response element also modulates the expression of the mammalian H-FABP genes.

Weaning affects lipoprotein lipase activity and gene expression in adipose tissues and in masseter but not in other muscles of the calf

The nutritional and physiological modifications that occur during the weaning period induce adaptations of tissue metabolism in all mammal species. Among the adaptations due to weaning in ruminants, the regulation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, one of the rate-limiting steps of fatty acid utilization by tissues, was still unknown. The present study aimed at comparing LPL activity and gene expression in the heart, seven skeletal muscles and three adipose tissue sites between two groups of seven preruminant (PR) or ruminant (R) calves having a similar age (170 d), similar empty body weight (194 kg) at slaughter, and similar net energy intake from birth onwards. Triacylglycerol content of adipose tissues was 16 % lower in R than in PR calves, This could be partly the result from a lower LPL activity (-57 %, ). LPL mRNA levels were also lower in R calves (-48 % to -68 %, ) suggesting a pretranslational regulation of LPL activity. Activity and mRNA levels of LPL did not differ significantly in the heart and skeletal muscles except in the masseter in which LPL activity and mRNA levels were higher (+50 % and +120 % respectively, ) in the R calves. Regulation of LPL in masseter could be explained by the high contractile activity of this muscle after weaning due to solid food chewing. In conclusion, weaning in the calf affects LPL activity and expression in adipose tissues, but not in skeletal muscles except the masseter.

Regulation by long-chain fatty acids of the expression of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in HepG2 cells

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is an important determinant of lipoprotein function, especially high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism, and contributes to the regulation of plasma HDL levels. Since saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) appear to influence the CETP activity differently, we decided to investigate the effects of FA on the expression of CETP mRNA in HepG2 cells using an RNA blot hybridization analysis. Long-chain FA (>18 carbons) at a 0.5 mM concentration were added to the medium and incubated with cells for 48 h at 37 degrees C under 5% CO2. After treatment with 0.5 mM arachidonic (AA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the levels of CETP mRNA were less than 50% of the control levels (AA, P = 0.0005; EPA, P < 0.01; DHA, P < 0.0001), with a corresponding significant decrease in the CETP mass. These results suggest that FA regulate the gene expression of CETP in HepG2 and this effect is dependent upon the degree of unsaturation of the acyl carbon chain in FA.

Direct regulatory effect of fatty acids on macrophage lipoprotein lipase: potential role of PPARs

Atherosclerosis is a major complication of type 2 diabetes. The pathogenesis of this complication is poorly understood, but it clearly involves production in the vascular wall of macrophage (Mo) lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Mo LPL is increased in human diabetes. Peripheral factors dysregulated in diabetes, including glucose and free fatty acids (FAs), may contribute to this alteration. We previously reported that high glucose stimulates LPL production in both J774 murine and human Mo. In the present study, we evaluated the direct effect of FAs on murine Mo LPL expression and examined the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in this effect. J774 Mo were cultured for 24 h with 0.2 mmol/l unsaturated FAs (arachidonic [AA], eicosapentaenoic [EPA], and linoleic acids [LA]) and monounsaturated (oleic acid [OA]) and saturated FAs (palmitic acid [PA] and stearic acid [SA]) bound to 2% bovine serum albumin. At the end of this incubation period, Mo LPL mRNA expression, immunoreactive mass, activity, and synthetic rate were measured. Incubation of J774 cells with LA, PA, and SA significantly increased Mo LPL mRNA expression. In contrast, exposure of these cells to AA and EPA dramatically decreased this parameter. All FAs, with the exception of EPA and OA, increased extra- and intracellular LPL immunoreactive mass and activity. Intracellular LPL mass and activity paralleled extracellular LPL mass and activity in all FA-treated cells. In Mo exposed to AA, LA, and PA, an increase in Mo LPL synthetic rate was observed. To evaluate the role of PPARs in the modulatory effect of FAs on Mo LPL gene expression, DNA binding assays were performed. Results of these experiments demonstrate an enhanced binding of nuclear proteins extracted from all FA-treated Mo to the peroxisome proliferator-response element (PPRE) consensus sequence of the LPL promoter. PA-, SA-, and OA-stimulated binding activity was effectively diminished by immunoprecipitation of the nuclear proteins with anti-PPAR-alpha antibodies. In contrast, anti-PPAR-gamma antibodies only significantly decreased AA-induced binding activity. Overall, these results provide the first evidence for a direct regulatory effect of FAs on Mo LPL and suggest a potential role of PPARs in the regulation of Mo LPL gene expression by FAs.

Decreased triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in transgenic skinny mice overexpressing leptin

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived circulating satiety factor with a variety of biological effects. Evidence has accumulated suggesting that leptin may modulate glucose and lipid metabolism. In the present study, we examined lipid metabolism in transgenic skinny mice with elevated plasma leptin concentrations. The plasma concentrations of triglycerides and free fatty acids in transgenic skinny mice were 71.5 (P < 0.01) and 89.1% (P < 0.05) of those in their nontransgenic littermates, respectively. Separation of plasma into lipoprotein classes by ultracentrifugation revealed that very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride concentrations were markedly reduced in transgenic skinny mice relative to the controls. The clearance of triglycerides estimated by a fat-loading test was enhanced in transgenic skinny mice; the triglyceride concentration in transgenic skinny mice 3 h after fat loading was 39.7% (P < 0.05) of that of their nontransgenic littermates. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity increased 1.4-fold (P < 0.05) in transgenic skinny mice. Our data demonstrated a significant reduction in plasma triglyceride concentrations, accompanied by increased lipoprotein lipase activity in transgenic skinny mice overexpressing leptin, suggesting that leptin plays a role in long-term triglyceride metabolism.

Fatty acids modulate porcine adipocyte differentiation and transcripts for transcription factors and adipocyte-characteristic proteins*

Porcine stromal-vascular cells (S/V cells) differentiate into adipocytes in vitro when presented with appropriate hormones and growth factors. Porcine S/V cells were differentiated in vitro in serum-free media with or without fatty acids to determine the effect of fatty acids on differentiation and on transcripts for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2). Differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining and transcript concentrations were measured by Northern analysis using porcine riboprobes. Addition of 100 µM oleic acid (C18:1) for 5 days increased differentiation and the mRNA levels for PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and aP2. Other medium- and long-chain fatty acids were less active. Adipocyte differentiation and transcript concentrations for PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and aP2 were increased by C18:1 in a dose-related manner. Differentiation was greater at 10 days than at 5 days than at 1 day, and C18:1 increased differentiation at each time. Transcript concentrations were increased by C18:1 at 1 and 5 days, but not at 10 days. These results suggest that the main effect of C18:1 is on regulating gene expression (an acute or drug-like effect) rather than changing the membrane fluidity as a result of changing membrane fatty acid composition (a chronic or nutrient-like effect). Taken together, these results indicate that selected fatty acids modulate porcine adipocyte differentiation and transcripts for adipocyte differentiation-related proteins such as PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and aP2.

Dietary fatty acids Up-regulate the expression of UCP2 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

States characterised by elevated plasma fatty acid levels are accompanied by increased UCP2 expression but the physiological regulation of UCP2 expression in white adipose tissue is not fully understood. We used 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to determine whether various dietary fatty acids (20:5, 18:3, 18:2, 18:1, 18:0) directly regulate UCP2 expression. Physiological concentrations of each class of polyunsaturated fatty acid and the monounsaturated fatty acid dramatically up-regulated UCP2 mRNA levels 5- to 8-fold, but the saturated fatty acid was not so effective (1.5-fold). The up-regulation occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner, was evident by 4 h and maximum between 18 and 24 h, and was prevented by actinomycin D. Synthetic ligands selective for each PPAR isoform did not induce UCP2 expression, which suggests that fatty acids might not be acting solely via PPAR transcription factors. In conclusion, dietary unsaturated fatty acids may be physiological signals to alter energy balance by direct induction of UCP2.

Stimulation of adipose differentiation related protein (ADRP) expression in adipocyte precursors by long-chain fatty acids

Adipose differentiation related protein (ADRP) is a 50-kDa protein expressed in adipocytes and transcriptionally activated when adipocyte precursors differentiate into mature adipocytes. Recent experiments have demonstrated that ADRP is a fatty acid binding protein that specifically facilitates the uptake of long-chain fatty acids. The present investigation provides evidence that ADRP mRNA and protein expression in preadipocytes is stimulated by fatty acids in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. ADRP mRNA expression was maximally stimulated at fatty acid concentrations of or above 10(-5) M. Stimulation of ADRP expression was observed with the nonmetabolizable fatty acid 2-bromopalmitate and with natural fatty acids. Stimulation of ADRP mRNA expression by fatty acids peaked between 5 and 8 hr and decreased by 24 hr. Stimulation of ADRP expression by fatty acids was completely inhibited by treatment with actinomycin D, suggesting that fatty acid stimulates ADRP gene expression at the transcriptional level. Comparison of the effect of several fatty acids with varying carbon chain lengths indicated that long-chain fatty acids were active in stimulating ADRP, whereas short-chain fatty acids such as caproate and 2-bromooctanoate had no effect. The degree of saturation of fatty acids did not influence their ability to stimulate ADRP expression. These studies provide new information on the regulation of ADRP and identify a new target regulated by fatty acids during adipose differentiation.

Lipoprotein lipase activity is stimulated by insulin and dexamethasone in cardiomyocytes from diabetic rats

Type 1 diabetes mellitus reduces lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in the heart. The diabetic phenotype of decreased LPL activity in freshly isolated cardiomyocytes persisted after overnight culture (16 h). Total cellular LPL activity was 311 ± 56 nmol oleate released·h-1·mg-1 cell protein in diabetic cultured cardiomyocytes compared with 661 ± 81 nmol oleate released·h-1·mg-1 cell protein for control cultured cells. Diabetes also resulted in lower heparin-releasable (HR) LPL activity compared with control cells (111 ± 25 vs. 432 ± 63 nmol·h-1·mg-1 cell protein). In kinetic experiments, the reduction in total cellular LPL and HR-LPL activities in cultured cells from diabetic hearts was due to a decrease in maximal velocity, with no change in apparent Km for substrate (triolein). LPL activity in primary cultures of cardiomyocytes from control rats is stimulated by the combination of insulin (Ins) and dexamethasone (Dex). Overnight treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes from diabetic rats with Ins+Dex elicited an 84% increase in cellular LPL activity (to 572 ± 65 nmol·h-1·mg-1 cell protein) and a 194% increase in HR-LPL activity (to 326 ± 46 nmol·h-1·mg-1 cell protein). This stimulation occurred at subnanomolar concentrations of the hormones, but neither hormone was effective alone. The amount of immunoreactive LPL protein mass in cultured cardiomyocytes from diabetic hearts was unchanged by Ins+Dex treatment. Addition of oleic acid (60 µM) to the overnight culture medium inhibited the already reduced HR-LPL activity in diabetic cultured cells by 73% (to 30 ± 4 nmol·h-1·mg-1 cell protein). The presence of oleic acid also reduced hormone-stimulated HR-LPL activity. Increasing the glucose concentration in the culture medium to 26 mM had no effect on total cellular LPL or HR-LPL activities.Key words: lipoprotein lipase, cardiomyocytes, diabetes.

Interrelationships between low density lipoprotein receptor defect, serum fatty acid composition, and serum cholesterol concentration

It is known that, in the general human population, serum fatty acid composition is correlated with serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations. The goal of the present study was to analyze whether the same is true of individuals who have a low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) defect. Concentrations of 16 different fatty acids, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and major lipoproteins in serum were determined in eight individuals who had (FH-North Karelia), the most common LDL-R defect in Finland, which causes familial hypercholesterolemia, and in their 30 relatives belonging to a single large pedigree as controls. The average number of double bonds (i.e., degree of desaturation) in serum fatty acids correlated negatively with the concentrations of serum total cholesterol (r = 0.27, P < 0.05) and total triacylglycerol (r = -0.71, P < 0.001) and positively with the number of fish meals per week (r = 0.50, P < 0.01), which was analyzed in all pedigree members jointly. These effects were similar in individuals having LDL-R defect, in which group the correlation coefficients were -0.31 (P = NS), -0.99 (P < 0.001), and 0.79 (P = NS) for serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and weekly fish meals, respectively. Thus, LDL-R defect does not impair the correlation between serum fatty acid composition and serum triacylglycerol concentration. This result is in agreement with dietary studies that have shown that familial hypercholesterolemia patients respond very favorably to dietary therapy.

Long chain fatty acids as modulators of gene transcription in preadipose cells

During the last years, it has been clearly established that long-chain fatty acids act as modulators of gene expression in various tissues, such as adipose tissue, intestine and liver. This transcriptional action of fatty acids explains in part adaptation mechanisms of tissues to nutritional changes and especially to high-fat diets by increasing expression of proteins involved in lipid catabolism in liver and fatty acid uptake and utilization in other tissues. It is now clearly demonstrated that some of these transcriptional effects of fatty acids are mediated by activation of specific nuclear hormone receptors, called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). These findings will be discussed with a special reference to control of gene expression in preadipocytes and adipose tissue development.

Thyroid hormones modulate serum leptin levels: observations in thyrotoxic and hypothyroid women

Thyroid hormones and leptin are both involved in the regulation of energy metabolism. Serum leptin concentrations were measured in women with thyrotoxicosis (n = 21, mean age 45 years) or hypothyroidism (n = 14, mean age 44 years) before and 3 months after restoration of the euthyroid state. Serum leptin concentration tended to increase in both hypothyroid (14.7+/-3.5 vs 17.8+/-3.9 ng/ml, p = 0.06) and thyrotoxic (11.9+/-1.7 vs 14.4+/-2.0, p = 0.08) women after treatment (values given as mean +/- SE in the untreated and the euthyroid state respectively). Body mass index (BMI) was lower in thyrotoxic women than in hypothyroid women in the untreated state (22.1+/-0.7 vs. 26.2+/-1.9, p < 0.05). BMI was not different between both groups after treatment (24.5+/-0.7 vs. 26.3+/-2.1, p = 0.37), due to an increase of BMI in the thyrotoxic women; BMI did not change in the hypothyroid group. After controlling for BMI in a multivariate regression analysis, serum leptin concentrations were lower in hypothyroid women than in thyrotoxic women (p < 0.05), whereas posttreatment values of leptin did not differ (p = 0.44). When leptin concentrations were expressed as standard deviation scores (Z-scores) from the mean value of female controls matched for BMI and age as reported earlier, Z-scores were lower in the hypothyroid than in the thyrotoxic women (-0.63+/-0.21 vs. 0.53+/-0.18, p = 0.001). After treatment, Z-scores did not deviate from the expected values (0.05+/-0.28 vs. 0.08+/-0.16, p = 0.98). Z-scores differed before and after treatment in both hypothyroid (p = 0.01) and thyrotoxic (p = 0.02) patients. In conclusion, these data obtained in thyrotoxic and hypothyroid women indicate that thyroid states modulates serum leptin concentrations independent of BMI, with a small decrease in hypothyroidism and a small increase in thyrotoxicosis.

The influence of plasma lipoprotein subfractions on 3T3-L1 and human preadipocyte differentiation in cell culture

3T3-L1 and human preadipocyte differentiation was significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced by HDL2, LDLII/III and LDLIV. The concentrations of lipoproteins required for maximal differentiation in human preadipocytes were not achieved over the concentration range 50-150 micrograms lipoprotein protein ml-1, whereas maximal differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was achieved for all lipoprotein subfractions at approximately 75 micrograms lipoprotein ml-1, a level almost double that required for complete HDL and LDL fractions in 3T3-L1 cells. Despite the enhanced extent of differentiation caused by certain lipoprotein subfractions, the time needed for the conversion process was unaffected. GPDH activity development in both cell types was most pronounced in response to LDLIV, with HDL2 resulting in the lowest activity. In both cell types, the enhancement of differentiation was only evident when the cells were exposed to lipoproteins during the early stage of the program, i.e. before visible formation of lipid droplets.

Genetic determinants of plasma lipoprotein levels and their dietary response

Hamsters were fed diets containing fat (5-20%, w/w) consisting of triolein (TO) alone or 50% triolein plus 50% trimyristin (TM), tripalmitin (TP) or tristearin (TS) for 28 days. Each fat had unique effects on lipoprotein concentrations which were related to changes in the expression of hepatic genes. Tripalmitin was the most hypercholesterolaemic of the saturated fats, causing dose-dependent increases in LDL and HDL cholesterol which correlated with decreases in the expression of HMGCoA reductase and LDL receptor genes. Tripalmitin also increased the expression of the apoB gene. It seems likely that fatty acids may regulate genes which are involved both in the synthesis and clearance of plasma lipoproteins. Inclusion of increasing amounts of cholesterol in diets containing 20% fat (50% TO plus 50% TP or TS) caused down-regulation of HMGCoAR and LDLR genes and up-regulation of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene for both fats. This was accompanied by increased LDL-cholesterol in the TP but not the TS group. In all experiments the concentration of VLDL-cholesterol correlated with the hepatic cholesterylester and MTP mRNA concentrations.

Fatty acids reduce heparin-releasable LPL activity in cultured cardiomyocytes from rat heart

Varying glucose and fatty acid (FA) concentrations in the medium of cultured cardiomyocytes from adult rat hearts were tested for effects on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Glucose (5.5, 11, and 25 mM in the culture medium for 18-22 h) had no effect on either heparin-releasable LPL (HR-LPL) or on cellular LPL (C-LPL) activities. When cardiomyocytes were cultured overnight with 60 microM oleate, HR-LPL activity was reduced to 20% of control, with no change in C-LPL activity or total C-LPL mass. Similar results (HR-LPL and C-LPL activities) were obtained with 60 microM concentrations of palmitate and myristate; linoleate and eicosapentaenoate did reduce C-LPL activity, but the decrease in HR-LPL activity was much greater. Oxfenicine, an FA oxidation inhibitor, did not alter the inhibitory effect of 60 microM oleate on HR-LPL. Short-term incubations (1 and 3 h) of cultured cardiomyocytes with 60 microM oleate did not displace LPL into the medium. Immunodetectable LPL on the cell surface of oleate-treated cultured cardiomyocytes was increased compared with control cells, but heparin treatment released the same amount of LPL mass that had reduced catalytic activity.

Selective uptake of high density lipoprotein-associated cholesterylesters by differentiated Ob1771 adipocytes is modulated by endogenous and exogenous lipoprotein lipase

The present study aimed at investigating mechanisms of selective uptake of HDL3-associated cholesterylesters (HDL3-CEs) by differentiated Ob1771 adipocytes. Our findings indicate that Ob1771 cells are capable of pronounced selective uptake of HDL3-CEs in 2.6-fold excess of HDL3 holoparticle uptake. Selective uptake of HDL3-CEs into a releasable pool (presumably located in the cellular plasma membrane) was temperature insensitive while prominent internalization into a non-releasable and subsequent hydrolysis in a non-chloroquine sensitive compartment occurred at 37 degrees C. Release of membrane bound endogenous LPL by heparin resulted in decreased HDL3 holoparticle, total CE and selective CE uptake. Accordingly, the addition of exogenous LPL to the culture medium resulted in increased holoparticle, total CE and selective CE uptake.

Regulation of FAT/CD36 gene expression: further evidence in support of a role of the protein in fatty acid binding/transport

Much biochemical evidence has implicated rat adipocyte CD36 (FAT) in membrane binding and transport of long-chain fatty acids (FA). Expression of the mRNA favored tissues with active FA metabolism and was upregulated in vivo with diabetes and with high fat feeding. In culture, CD36 mRNA was a strong marker of preadipocyte differentiation and was modulated by the same factors effective on mRNAs coding for other proteins involved in FA metabolism. In preadipocytes, long-chain FA or 2-bromopalmitate but not short-chain FA strongly induced CD36 mRNA within 8 h to an optimum within 24 h. Removal of the FA resulted in a decay of CD36 mRNA with a half life of about 12 h. In differentiated adipocytes, levels of CD36 mRNA were downregulated by the 3': 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cAMP, analog, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) adenosine, 8-CPT, at concentrations of 1-100 microM. The effect, observed within 6 h, was optimal after 18 h and independent of the action of 8-CPT to mobilize FA. Regulation of CD36 expression by factors effective on expression of other proteins implicated in FA metabolism is consistent with its role in membrane FA transport.