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Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) dysfunction contributes to NAFLD pathogenesis and may be influenced by the gut microbiota. Whether transcript profiles of SAT are associated with liver fibrosis and are influenced by synbiotic treatment (that changes the gut microbiome) is unknown. We investigated: (a) whether the presence of clinically significant, ≥F2 liver fibrosis associated with adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, differential gene expression in SAT, and/or a marker of tissue fibrosis (Composite collagen gene expression (CCGE)); and (b) whether synbiotic treatment modified markers of AT dysfunction and the SAT transcriptome. Sixty-two patients with NAFLD (60 % men) were studied before and after 12 months of treatment with synbiotic or placebo and provided SAT samples. Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE)-validated thresholds were used to assess liver fibrosis. RNA-sequencing and histological analysis of SAT were performed to determine differential gene expression, CCGE and the presence of collagen fibres. Regression modelling and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were used to test associations with, and risk prediction for, ≥F2 liver fibrosis. Patients with ≥F2 liver fibrosis (n = 24) had altered markers of AT dysfunction and a SAT gene expression signature characterised by enrichment of inflammatory and extracellular matrix-associated genes, compared to those with

Mice lacking Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Υ2 (PPARΥ2) have unexpectedly normal glucose tolerance and mild insulin resistance. Mice lacking PPARΥ2 were found to have elevated levels of Lipocalin prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) expression in BAT and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT). To determine if induction of L-PGDS was compensating for a lack of PPARΥ2, we crossed L-PGDS KO mice to PPARΥ2 KO mice to generate Double Knock Out mice (DKO). Using DKO mice we demonstrated a requirement of L-PGDS for maintenance of subcutaneous WAT (sΥWAT) function. In scWAT, DKO mice had reduced expression of thermogenic genes, the de novo lipogenic program and the lipases ATGL and HSL. Despite the reduction in markers of lipolysis in scWAT, DKO mice had a normal metabolic rate and elevated serum FFA levels compared to L-PGDS KO alone. Analysis of intra-abdominal white adipose tissue (epididymal WAT) showed elevated expression of mRNA and protein markers of lipolysis in DKO mice, suggesting that DKO mice may become more reliant on intra-abdominal WAT to supply lipid for oxidation. This switch in depot utilisation from subcutaneous to epididymal white adipose tissue was associated with a worsening of whole organism metabolic function, with DKO mice being glucose intolerant, and having elevated serum triglyceride levels compared to any other genotype. Overall, L-PGDS and PPARΥ2 coordinate to regulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proliferation of adipocyte precursors and their differentiation into mature adipocytes contributes to the development of obesity in mammals. IGF-I is a potent mitogen and important stimulus for adipocyte differentiation. The biological actions of IGFs are closely regulated by a family of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which exert predominantly inhibitory effects. IGFBP-2 is the principal binding protein secreted by differentiating white preadipocytes, suggesting a potential role in the development of obesity. We have generated transgenic mice overexpressing human IGFBP-2 under the control of its native promoter, and we show that overexpression of IGFBP-2 is associated with reduced susceptibility to obesity and improved insulin sensitivity. Whereas wild-type littermates developed, glucose intolerance and increased blood pressure with aging, mice overexpressing IGFBP-2 were protected. Furthermore, when fed a high-fat/high-energy diet, IGFBP-2-overexpressing mice were resistant to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. This lean phenotype was associated with decreased leptin levels, increased glucose sensitivity, and lower blood pressure compared with wild-type animals consuming similar amounts of high-fat diet. Our in vitro data suggest a direct effect of IGFBP-2 preventing adipogenesis as indicated by the ability of recombinant IGFBP-2 to impair 3T3-L1 differentiation. These findings suggest an important, novel role for IGFBP-2 in obesity prevention. Diabetes 56:285-294, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human obesity-related diabetes and the accompanying metabolic disorders have been specifically linked to increased visceral adipose tissue mass. Understanding the differences in biology of the two human fat depots (visceral and subcutaneous) might hold the key to therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing obesity-induced insulin resistance and alleviating symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. Visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor, PBEF) is a novel adipokine that appears to be preferentially produced by visceral adipose tissue and has insulin-mimetic actions. Could this molecule hold the key to future treatments for type 1 and 2 diabetes? This article discusses the pros and cons of visfatin action and how it might affect future therapeutic strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is critically required for adipogenesis. PPARgamma exists as two isoforms, gamma1 and gamma2. PPARgamma2 is the more potent adipogenic isoform in vitro and is normally restricted to adipose tissues, where it is regulated more by nutritional state than PPARgamma1. To elucidate the relevance of the PPARgamma2 in vivo, we generated a mouse model in which the PPARgamma2 isoform was specifically disrupted. Despite similar weight, body composition, food intake, energy expenditure, and adipose tissue morphology, male mice lacking the gamma2 isoform were more insulin resistant than wild-type animals when fed a regular diet. These results indicate that insulin resistance associated with ablation of PPARgamma2 is not the result of lipodystrophy and suggests a specific role for PPARgamma2 in maintaining insulin sensitivity independently of its effects on adipogenesis. Furthermore, PPARgamma2 knockout mice fed a high-fat diet did not become more insulin resistant than those on a normal diet, despite a marked increase in their mean adipocyte cell size. These findings suggest that PPARgamma2 is required for the maintenance of normal insulin sensitivity in mice but also raises the intriguing notion that PPARgamma2 may be necessary for the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on carbohydrate metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging view is that obesity causes metabolic problems when adipose tissue fails to meet the increased demands for fat storage. A study in this issue of Cell Metabolism () has identified harmine as a proadipogenic small molecule that promotes energy expenditure in white adipose tissue and delays the onset of obesity-associated diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The current knowledge of sex-dependent differences in adipose tissue biology remains in its infancy and is motivated in part by the desire to understand why menopause is linked to an increased risk of metabolic disease. However, the development and characterization of targeted genetically-modified rodent models are shedding new light on the physiological actions of sex hormones in healthy reproductive metabolism. In this review we consider the need for differentially regulating metabolic flexibility, energy balance, and immunity in a sex-dependent manner. We discuss the recent advances in our understanding of physiological roles of systemic estrogen in regulating sex-dependent adipose tissue distribution, form and function; and in sex-dependent healthy immune function. We also review the decline in protective properties of estrogen signaling in pathophysiological settings such as obesity-related metaflammation and metabolic disease. It is clear that the many physiological actions of estrogen on energy balance, immunity, and immunometabolism together with its dynamic regulation in females make it an excellent candidate for regulating metabolic flexibility in the context of reproductive metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]