Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
09:41
Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
Published on: March 17, 2023
Substrate-Selective Lipolysis Facilitates Unsaturated TAG Accumulation in Obesity
Jianting Sheng1,2, Shaohua Qi1,2, Michael Chan1,2
1Systems Medicine and Bioengineering Department, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX.
Diabetes
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Obesity leads to more unsaturated fats in adipose tissue. This study shows adipose triglyceride lipase prefers breaking down saturated fats, causing unsaturated fatty acid retention in obesity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolism
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is linked to increased unsaturated triacylglycerol (TAG) species in adipose tissue.
- The mechanism behind this selective lipid accumulation in obesity is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if substrate-selective lipolysis contributes to unsaturated fatty acid (FA) retention in obese adipose tissue.
- To explore the role of adipose triglyceride lipase in selective lipid accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Lipidomic profiling of adipose tissue TAG species.
- Functional assays to assess adipose triglyceride lipase activity and substrate preference.
Main Results:
- Obese adipose TAGs show enrichment of FA 18:1 and FA 18:2.
- Adipose triglyceride lipase preferentially hydrolyzes saturated TAGs when substrate is sufficient.
Conclusions:
- Lipase substrate selectivity is a key mechanism driving lipid remodeling in obesity.
- Targeting lipase selectivity could be a strategy for modulating adipose lipid turnover.
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