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Regional differences in adipocyte lactate production from glucose
F D Newby1, M N Sykes, M DiGirolamo
1Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
The American Journal of Physiology
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Mesenteric fat cells exhibit higher glucose metabolism and lactate production than other rat fat depots. Nutritional state and age influence these differences, impacting substrate contribution to liver metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Adipose tissue biology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Lactate is a key product of glucose metabolism in rat epididymal adipocytes.
- Understanding regional and nutritional influences on adipocyte metabolism is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate regional differences in adipocyte lactate production.
- Examine the impact of nutritional state and age on adipocyte metabolism.
- Determine the role of insulin in modulating these processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized [U-14C]glucose to measure metabolism and lactate production in isolated fat cells.
- Compared four adipose regions (subcutaneous, epididymal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric).
- Studied young lean and older fatter rats in fed and fasted states.
Main Results:
- Mesenteric fat cells showed higher glucose metabolism and lactate conversion than other depots, irrespective of nutritional state or age.
- Fasting increased relative glucose conversion to lactate in lean rats but had minimal effect in fatter rats.
- Mesenteric adipocytes exhibited a lower relative insulin response due to high basal metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Significant regional variations exist in adipocyte glucose metabolism, lactate production, and insulin response.
- Mesenteric adipocytes, due to their metabolic activity, may uniquely contribute substrates to hepatic metabolism.