Lipogenesis in human adipose tissue in vitro: effect of fat cell size on some enzymatic activities

The incorporation of [1-C14] palmitate into palmitoyl CoA and triglycerides by homogenates of human adipose tissue have been studied. Adipose tissue samples were taken from three sites varying in adipocytes size (omentum, subcutaneous abdominal wall, buttock). The donors were normal weight women of constant weight. A significant positive correlation was found between initial velocity of palmitoyl CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3) and total [1-C14] palmitate incorporation into triglycerides on one hand and adipocyte cell size on the other hand : these relations with cell size were apparent both within and between individuals. The mechanism of this "size effect" which is unrelated to the higher protein content of larger cells, is still unexplained. Lipogenesis, like most of the metabolic activities of adipose tissue increases with enlarging cell size. Acceleration of a lipogenesis-lipolysis cycle could constitute an energy wasting system able to limit the volume of the adipocytes.