Circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein induces insulin resistance in mice in vivo

Circulating levels of the adipokine adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP) are increased in obesity. However, the influence of circulating AFABP on insulin sensitivity in vivo remains unclear.

C57BL/6NTac mice (10 weeks) were treated over 8 weeks i.p. with saline (control) or recombinant AFABP (0.5 mg/kg/d). A comprehensive characterization of metabolic parameters, body composition, and energy expenditure was performed. Furthermore, the effect of AFABP on pancreatic β-cell responsiveness, hepatic glycogen content, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ protein expression was elucidated.

In male mice, AFABP treatment induced insulin resistance with significantly increased fasting insulin, C-peptide, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. In female animals, a similar trend was observed. In both genders, no difference in body weight, lipid parameters, body composition, or energy expenditure could be detected between AFABP-treated and control mice. Insulin resistance in male AFABP-treated mice was accompanied by decreased PPARγ protein content in perigonadal adipose tissue and diminished circulating adiponectin. AFABP treatment did not affect pancreatic β-cell responsiveness and hepatic glycogen content.

Circulating AFABP induces insulin resistance in male mice. AFABP-mediated degradation of PPARγ in adipose tissue and subsequently decreased expression of insulin-sensitizing adiponectin are potential mechanisms for this effect.