The Effect of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on the Reversion of Omental Adipocytes from Lean and Obese Patients

BACKGROUND: this study was designed to characterize some of the biochemical and molecular genetic changes during reversion of human fat cells. METHODS: mature adipocytes were isolated from greater omental fat tissue of eight lean and 14 massively obese persons by established methodology. RESULTS: at day 7 of adherence to Leighton tubes, there was appreciable depletion of triacylglycerol, as well as assumption of an elongated contour. Relatedly, there was an increase in the expression of Beta-actin mRNA and a significant decrease in the specific activity of cytosolic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The decrement in the specific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, after 7 days in culture, was significant at p < 0.001. Basic fibroblast growth factor at 10 ngml(1) accelerated significantly (p < 0.03) the decrease in the specific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in adipose cells from lean subjects. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor had no significant influence on cells from massively obese persons. CONCLUSION: such resistance may contribute to the intractability of massive obesity.