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Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
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Decreased expression and function of adipocyte hormone-sensitive lipase in subcutaneous fat cells of obese subjects

V Large1, S Reynisdottir, D Langin

  • 1Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Journal of Lipid Research
|December 20, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Obesity is linked to reduced fat breakdown due to lower hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) expression in fat cells. This impaired HSL function contributes to excess body fat accumulation.

Area of Science:

  • Metabolism and Endocrinology
  • Adipose Tissue Biology
  • Obesity Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Reduced lipolytic response to catecholamines is observed in obesity, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is crucial, catalyzing the rate-limiting step in fat breakdown.
  • Understanding HSL's role in obesity is vital for addressing excess body fat accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the lipolysis defect associated with obesity.
  • To determine if decreased HSL enzyme activity, protein, or mRNA levels contribute to impaired fat cell function in obese individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes from 34 obese and 14 non-obese healthy subjects.
  • Measurement of maximum lipolytic capacity using beta-adrenergic receptor agonist and cyclic AMP analogue.
  • Quantification of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) enzyme activity, protein expression, and mRNA levels.

Main Results:

  • Obese subjects exhibited significantly decreased maximum lipolytic capacity in fat cells.
  • Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) enzyme activity, protein expression, and mRNA levels were significantly reduced in adipocytes of obese individuals.
  • These findings were consistent across different ages and genders.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in subcutaneous fat cells is a key feature of obesity.
  • Impaired HSL expression leads to reduced enzyme function and diminished lipolytic capacity of adipocytes.
  • Reduced HSL gene expression may partially explain the lipolysis defect observed in obesity.

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