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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Isolation of Adipogenic and Fibro-Inflammatory Stromal Cell Subpopulations from Murine Intra-Abdominal Adipose Depots

Isolation of Adipogenic and Fibro-Inflammatory Stromal Cell Subpopulations from Murine Intra-Abdominal Adipose Depots

Published on: August 16, 2020

Adipocyte cell size enlargement involves plasma membrane area increase.

H H Chowdhury¹, R Zorec

¹Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry

|May 1, 2012

Summary

Insulin stimulates adipocyte (fat cell) membrane expansion. This study shows insulin increases cell size and plasma membrane area, potentially contributing to fat cell enlargement in conditions like hyperinsulinemia.

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Isolation and Culturing of Primary Murine Adipocytes from Lean and Obese Mice

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Isolation of Adipogenic and Fibro-Inflammatory Stromal Cell Subpopulations from Murine Intra-Abdominal Adipose Depots

Isolation of Adipogenic and Fibro-Inflammatory Stromal Cell Subpopulations from Murine Intra-Abdominal Adipose Depots

Published on: August 16, 2020

Isolation and Culturing of Primary Murine Adipocytes from Lean and Obese Mice

Isolation and Culturing of Primary Murine Adipocytes from Lean and Obese Mice

Published on: January 24, 2025

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Endocrinology
Membrane biophysics

Background:

Adipocyte enlargement is linked to increased cytoplasmic lipid content.
The mechanism by which plasma membrane area expands to accommodate lipid accumulation is unclear.
Understanding adipocyte membrane dynamics is crucial for metabolic research.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of insulin on adipocyte plasma membrane area dynamics.
To determine if insulin influences membrane surface area fluctuations.
To explore the role of insulin in adipocyte enlargement.

Main Methods:

Utilized the patch-clamp technique to measure membrane capacitance (C(m)) as an indicator of plasma membrane area.
Monitored single-cell membrane surface area fluctuations.
Measured adipocyte cell diameter microscopically after insulin exposure.

Main Results:

A five-minute exposure to insulin significantly increased resting membrane capacitance (C(m)) by 12 ± 4%.
Control cells showed no significant change in C(m).
Twenty-four hour insulin exposure led to a 5.1 ± 0.6% increase in adipocyte diameter.

Conclusions:

Insulin directly induces an increase in adipocyte plasma membrane area.
This insulin-mediated membrane expansion may contribute to adipocyte enlargement in chronic hyperinsulinemia.
The findings suggest a coordinated response of metabolic effects and membrane dynamics in adipocytes.