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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116(4): 203-210
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993148
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Adipose Triglyceride Lipase Gene Expression in Human Visceral Obesity

J. Berndt 1 , S. Kralisch 1 , N. Klöting 1 , K. Ruschke 1 , M. Kern 1 , M. Fasshauer 1 , M. R. Schön 2 , M. Stumvoll 1 , M. Blüher 1
  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • 2Department of Surgery II, University of Leipzig, Germany
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Publication History

received 08.09.2007 first decision 10.09.2007

accepted 30.10.2007

Publication Date:
10 December 2007 (online)

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Abstract

In comparison to subcutaneous (SC) fat, visceral adipose tissue is more sensitive to catecholamine-induced lipolysis and less sensitive to the antilipolytic effects of insulin. Variation in the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) have been reported. We therefore hypothesized that expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is different in visceral and SC depot and investigated whether ATGL mRNA expression is related to obesity, fat distribution and insulin sensitivity. ATGL, LPL, and HSL mRNA expression was measured in 85 paired samples of omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue in normal glucose tolerant lean and obese individuals. In addition, we included a subgroup of obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) individuals with either impaired or preserved insulin sensitivity determined by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps. ATGL mRNA levels are significantly decreased in insulin resistant obese subjects. Independently of body fat mass, omental ATGL mRNA correlates with fasting insulin concentration, glucose uptake during the steady state of the clamp and HSL mRNA expression. In obese, but not in lean subjects, LPL and HSL mRNA expression was significantly higher in omental compared to SC fat. In both depots, HSL mRNA was significantly lower in obese individuals. Visceral HSL mRNA expression is closely related to adipocyte size and fasting plasma insulin concentrations, whereas visceral fat area significantly predicts visceral LPL mRNA expression. ATGL mRNA expression is not significantly different between omental and SC fat. HSL, but not ATGL mRNA expression is closely related to individual and regional differences in adipocyte size. Impaired insulin sensitivity was associated with decreased ATGL and HSL mRNA expression, independently of body fat mass and fat distribution.

Key words

LPL - HSL - ATGL - visceral obesity - type 2 diabetes

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Correspondence

Prof. Dr. med M. Blüher

Medical Department

University of Leipzig

Ph.-Rosenthal-Str. 27

04103 Leipzig

Germany

Phone: +49/341/971 59 84

Fax: +49/341/972 24 39

Email: bluma@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

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