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A high intake of sugars has been linked to diet-induced health problems. The aim of this study was to assess whether the long-term consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) would cause the hepatic histopathological and metabolic abnormalities that characterize nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a desert gerbil, Gerbillus gerbillus. Compared to natural diet, HCD leads to several metabolic disorders including adiposity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, ectopic fat deposition in the liver, which were associated with higher levels of transcripts of genes involved with fat synthesis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and fibrosis. In the same way, the experimented animals showed enhanced oxidative stress. Taken together, these results demonstrate that HCD consumption in gerbils induces metabolic disorders and damaged liver, which are key contributors to NASH development. These results suggest that this rodent represents a valuable natural model for human diet-induced metabolic disorders and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known to influence glucose homeostasis. We recently showed that Elovl2 expression in beta cells, which regulates synthesis of endogenous DHA, was associated with glucose tolerance and played a key role in insulin secretion. The present study aimed to examine the role of the very long chain fatty acid elongase 2 (ELOVL2)/DHA axis on the adverse effects of palmitate with high glucose, a condition defined as glucolipotoxicity, on beta cells. We detected ELOVL2 in INS-1 beta cells and mouse and human islets using quantitative PCR and western blotting. Downregulation and adenoviral overexpression of Elovl2 was carried out in beta cells. Ceramide and diacylglycerol levels were determined by radio-enzymatic assay and lipidomics. Apoptosis was quantified using caspase-3 assays and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Palmitate oxidation and esterification were determined by [U-14C]palmitate labelling. We found that glucolipotoxicity decreased ELOVL2 content in rodent and human beta cells. Downregulation of ELOVL2 drastically potentiated beta cell apoptosis induced by glucolipotoxicity, whereas adenoviral Elovl2 overexpression and supplementation with DHA partially inhibited glucolipotoxicity-induced cell death in rodent and human beta cells. Inhibition of beta cell apoptosis by the ELOVL2/DHA axis was associated with a decrease in ceramide accumulation. However, the ELOVL2/DHA axis was unable to directly alter ceramide synthesis or metabolism. By contrast, DHA increased palmitate oxidation but did not affect its esterification. Pharmacological inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase and etomoxir, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), the rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid β-oxidation, attenuated the protective effect of the ELOVL2/DHA axis during glucolipotoxicity. Downregulation of CPT1 also counteracted the anti-apoptotic action of the ELOVL2/DHA axis. By contrast, a mutated active form of Cpt1 inhibited glucolipotoxicity-induced beta cell apoptosis when ELOVL2 was downregulated. Our results identify ELOVL2 as a critical pro-survival enzyme for preventing beta cell death and dysfunction induced by glucolipotoxicity, notably by favouring palmitate oxidation in mitochondria through a CPT1-dependent mechanism.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are concomitant with low-grade inflammation affecting insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Recently, the thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) has been implicated in the activation process of the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In this study, we aim to determine whether the expression of TXNIP is altered in the circulating immune cells of individuals with type 2 vs type 1 diabetes and whether this can be related to specific causes and consequences of inflammation. The expression of TXNIP, inflammatory markers, markers of the unfolded protein response (UPR) to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 13 non-diabetic individuals, 23 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 81 with type 2 diabetes. A lipidomic analysis on the plasma of 13 non-diabetic individuals, 35 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 94 with type 2 diabetes was performed. The effects of ER stress or of specific lipids on TXNIP and inflammatory marker expression were analysed in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) and THP-1 cells. The expression of TXNIP and inflammatory and UPR markers was increased in the PBMCs of individuals with type 2 diabetes when compared with non-diabetic individuals or individuals with type 1 diabetes. TXNIP expression was significantly correlated with plasma fasting glucose, plasma triacylglycerol concentrations and specific UPR markers. Induction of ER stress in THP-1 cells or cultured HMDMs led to increased expression of UPR markers, TXNIP, NLRP3 and IL-1β. Conversely, a chemical chaperone reduced the expression of UPR markers and TXNIP in PBMCs of individuals with type 2 diabetes. The lipidomic plasma analysis revealed an increased concentration of saturated dihydroceramide and sphingomyelin in individuals with type 2 diabetes when compared with non-diabetic individuals and individuals with type 1 diabetes. In addition, the expression of specific enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism, dihydroceramide desaturase 1 and sphingomyelin synthase 1, was increased in the PBMCs of individuals with type 2 diabetes. Palmitate or C2 ceramide induced ER stress in macrophages as well as increased expression of TXNIP, NLRP3 and IL-1β. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, circulating immune cells display an inflammatory phenotype that can be linked to ER stress and TXNIP expression. Immune cell ER stress can in turn be linked to the specific exogenous and endogenous lipid environment found in type 2 diabetes.

High plasma copeptin, a marker of vasopressin (VP) secretion, has been shown to be associated with the metabolic syndrome and development of type 2 diabetes in humans. The present study was designed to determine the long-term influence of plasma VP concentration in a rodent model prone to metabolic dysfunction. Obese Zucker rats and their lean counterparts were submitted for 4 weeks to one of three protocols inducing different levels of VP. Circulating VP was either reduced by increasing the daily water intake (low-VP), or increased by a chronic i.p. infusion of VP (high-VP). The control rats had normal VP levels that depended on their own regulation of water intake and VP secretion. Compared with controls with normal VP, lean rats with high-VP had a higher fasting glycaemia after 4 weeks. In obese rats, high-VP promoted hyperinsulinaemia, glucose intolerance, assessed by glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and an impaired response to a pyruvate challenge. Conversely, treatment with a selective arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (V1aR) antagonist reduced glucose intolerance. Low-VP obese rats had unchanged glucose tolerance but exhibited a drastic decrease in liver steatosis compared with control obese rats, associated with low hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol content, and reduced expression of hepatic lipogenic genes. These effects were independent of changes in body adiposity, and plasma sodium and osmolality did not differ among groups. These findings show a causal relationship between the VP–hydration axis and the metabolic risk. Therapeutic perspectives include diet recommendations regarding hydration, but also potential pharmacological interventions targeting the VP V1aR.

International audience; Liver Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) is pivotal for de novo lipogenesis. Loss of control of this metabolic pathway contributes to the development of liver pathologies ranging from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which can lead to cirrhosis and, less frequently, to hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, deciphering the molecular mechanisms governing the expression and function of key enzymes such as FAS is crucial. Herein, we link the availability of this lipogenic enzyme to the nutrient-dependent post-translational modification O-GlcNAc that is thought to be deregulated in metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome). We demonstrate that expression and activity of liver FAS correlate with O-GlcNAcylation contents in ob/ob mice and in mice fed with a high-carbohydrate diet both in a transcription-dependent and -independent manner. More importantly, inhibiting the removal of O-GlcNAc residues in mice intraperitoneally injected with the selective and potent O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor Thiamet-G increases FAS expression. FAS and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) physically interact, and FAS is O-GlcNAc modified. Treatment of a liver cell line with drugs or nutrients that elevate the O-GlcNAcylation interferes with FAS expression. Inhibition of OGA increases the interaction between FAS and the deubiquitinase Ubiquitin-specific protease-2a (USP2A) in vivo and ex vivo, providing mechanistic insights into the control of FAS expression through O-GlcNAcylation. Together, these results reveal a new type of regulation of FAS, linked to O-GlcNAcylation status, and advance our knowledge on deregulation of lipogenesis in diverse forms of liver diseases.

International audience; Humans with obesity differ in their susceptibility to developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This variation may relate to the extent of adipose tissue (AT) inflammation that develops as their obesity progresses. The state of macrophage activation has a central role in determining the degree of AT inflammation and thus its dysfunction, and these states are driven by epigenomic alterations linked to gene expression. The underlying mechanisms that regulate these alterations, however, are poorly defined. Here we demonstrate that a co-repressor complex containing G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) crucially controls the macrophage epigenome during activation by metabolic stress. The study of AT from humans with and without obesity revealed correlations between reduced GPS2 expression in macrophages, elevated systemic and AT inflammation, and diabetic status. The causality of this relationship was confirmed by using macrophage-specific Gps2-knockout (KO) mice, in which inappropriate co-repressor complex function caused enhancer activation, pro-inflammatory gene expression and hypersensitivity toward metabolic-stress signals. By contrast, transplantation of GPS2-overexpressing bone marrow into two mouse models of obesity (ob/ob and diet-induced obesity) reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity. Thus, our data reveal a potentially reversible disease mechanism that links co-repressor-dependent epigenomic alterations in macrophages to AT inflammation and the development of T2D.

Activators of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR), metformin, and exercise activate atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and ERK and stimulate glucose transport in muscle by uncertain mechanisms. Here, in cultured L6 myotubes: AICAR- and metformin-induced activation of AMPK was required for activation of aPKC and ERK; aPKC activation involved and required phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylation of Thr410-PKC-ζ; aPKC Thr410 phosphorylation and activation also required MEK1-dependent ERK; and glucose transport effects of AICAR and metformin were inhibited by expression of dominant-negative AMPK, kinase-inactive PDK1, MEK1 inhibitors, kinase-inactive PKC-ζ, and RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of PKC-ζ. In mice, muscle-specific aPKC (PKC-λ) depletion by conditional gene targeting impaired AICAR-stimulated glucose disposal and stimulatory effects of both AICAR and metformin on 2-deoxyglucose/glucose uptake in muscle in vivo and AICAR stimulation of 2-[3H]deoxyglucose uptake in isolated extensor digitorum longus muscle; however, AMPK activation was unimpaired. In marked contrast to AICAR and metformin, treadmill exercise-induced stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose/glucose uptake was not inhibited in aPKC-knockout mice. Finally, in intact rodents, AICAR and metformin activated aPKC in muscle, but not in liver, despite activating AMPK in both tissues. The findings demonstrate that in muscle AICAR and metformin activate aPKC via sequential activation of AMPK, ERK, and PDK1 and the AMPK/ERK/PDK1/aPKC pathway is required for metformin- and AICAR-stimulated increases in glucose transport. On the other hand, although aPKC is activated by treadmill exercise, this activation is not required for exercise-induced increases in glucose transport, and therefore may be a redundant mechanism.

Hepatic steatosis is present in insulin-resistant obese rodents and is concomitant with active lipogenesis. Hepatic lipogenesis depends on the insulin-induced activation of the transcription factor SREBP-1c. Despite prevailing insulin resistance, SREBP-1c is activated in the livers of genetically and diet-induced obese rodents. Recent studies have reported the presence of an ER stress response in the livers of obese ob/ob mice. To assess whether ER stress promotes SREBP-1c activation and thus contributes to lipogenesis, we overexpressed the chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in the livers of ob/ob mice using an adenoviral vector. GRP78 overexpression reduced ER stress markers and inhibited SREBP-1c cleavage and the expression of SREBP-1c and SREBP-2 target genes. Furthermore, hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol contents were reduced, and insulin sensitivity improved, in GRP78-injected mice. These metabolic improvements were likely mediated by restoration of IRS-2 expression and tyrosine phosphorylation. Interestingly, GRP78 overexpression also inhibited insulin-induced SREBP-1c cleavage in cultured primary hepatocytes. These findings demonstrate that GRP78 inhibits both insulin-dependent and ER stress–dependent SREBP-1c proteolytic cleavage and explain the role of ER stress in hepatic steatosis in obese rodents.

OBJECTIVE—To characterize insulin action in Africans with ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) during remission. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—At Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France, 15 African patients with KPD with an average 10.5-month insulin-free near-normoglycemic remission period (mean A1C 6.2%) were compared with 17 control subjects matched for age, sex, BMI, and geographical origin. Insulin stimulation of glucose disposal, and insulin suppression of endogenous glucose production (EGP) and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), was studied using a 200-min two-step (10 mU · m−2 body surface · min−1 and 80 mU · m−2 · min −1 insulin infusion rates) euglycemic clamp with [6,6-2H2]glucose as the tracer. Early-phase insulin secretion was determined during an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS—The total glucose disposal was reduced in patients compared with control subjects (7.5 ± 0.8 [mean ± SE] vs. 10.5 ± 0.9 mg · kg−1 · min−1; P = 0.018). EGP rate was higher in patients than control subjects at baseline (4.0 ± 0.3 vs. 3.0 ± 0.1 mg · kg−1 · min−1; P = 0.001) and after 200-min insulin infusion (10 mU · m−2 · min−1: 1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1, P = 0.004; 80 mU · m−2 · min−1: 0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0 mg · kg−1 · min−1, P = 0.007). Basal plasma NEFA concentrations were also higher in patients (1,936.7 ± 161.4 vs. 1,230.0 ± 174.1 μmol/l; P = 0.002) and remained higher after 100-min 10 mU · m−2 · min−1 insulin infusion (706.6 ± 96.5 vs. 381.6 ± 55.9 μmol/l; P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS—The triad hepatic, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle insulin resistance is observed in patients with KPD during near-normoglycemic remission, suggesting that KPD is a form of type 2 diabetes.

Besides their function of lipid storage, the adipose cells secrete a number of proteins of physiopathological importance. To get further insights into this function, which remains poorly characterized, we sought to compare the mechanisms and regulation of secretion of two individual proteins in the same cells. Leptin and angiotensinogen were chosen and assessed by radioimmunoassay and quantitative immunoblotting, respectively, in primary culture of epididymal adipose cells from young obese Zucker rats. Leptin was secreted at a steady rate of 4 ng/106 cells/h over 2–6 h. Despite secretion, leptin cellular content remained stable at 3 ng/106 cells. In contrast, the rate of angiotensinogen secretion decreased regularly from 45 arbitrary units/106 cells/h at 2 h, to half this value at 6 h, although cell content remained constant at 100 arbitrary units/106 cells. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide depleted the cells from leptin, but not from angiotensinogen for up to 6 h. Insulin increased leptin secretion (+75%) and cell content (+70 %), without affecting angiotensinogen. Secretion of both proteins was inhibited by Golgi-disturbing agents, brefeldin A and monensin. The presence of brefeldin A led to a specific rise in leptin cell content, an effect inhibited by cycloheximide and enhanced by insulin (+80%). These data show that leptin and angiotensinogen are both secreted through Golgi-dependent pathways and that their respective intracellular pool exhibit distinct turn-over rate and insulin sensitivity. These characteristics might account for the differential response of these adipose proteins to variations in the systemic environment. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 666–673, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A triggering effect of insulin on GLUT4 expression in adipocytes is consistently observed in vivo, whereas GLUT1 is roughly unaffected. However, in cultured rat adipocytes, insulin increases GLUT1 but fails to increase GLUT4, suggesting that additional factors are involved in vivo. This prompted us to evaluate the potential role of glucocorticoids as coregulators with insulin of glucose transporter expression using 3T3-F442A adipose cells and primary cultured rat adipocytes. In both systems, insulin increased and dexamethasone decreased GLUT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, an effect inhibited by the glucocorticoid antagonist RU 38486. When the two hormones were added together, the effect of dexamethasone was dominant in 3T3-F442A cells, but was totally antagonized in rat adipocytes. Moreover, in rat adipocytes, the GLUT1 gene transcription rate (run-on) was identical in the absence or presence of the two hormones. With regard to GLUT4 expression, neither insulin nor dexamethasone alone had any significant effect after 2 days of treatment. In contrast, the combined hormones markedly increased GLUT4 mRNA (+550% in rat adipocytes; +130% in 3T3-F442A cells) and protein (+164% in rat adipocytes; +79% in 3T3-F442A cells) with a 24- to 48-h delay after mRNA induction. Studies of the molecular mechanism(s) showed that exposure of rat adipocytes to dexamethasone plus insulin did not affect GLUT4 mRNA stability, but increased the GLUT4 gene transcription rate 3-fold. Transient transfections of rat adipocytes with the 5'-flanking 2.2-kilobase sequence of the rat GLUT4 gene fused to luciferase demonstrated that promoter activity was unchanged by insulin, increased 50% by dexamethasone, and increased 3-fold in the presence of both. These data show that insulin elicits an increase in GLUT4 gene expression provided glucocorticoids are present. Our results indicate that the synergism between insulin and glucocorticoids on GLUT4 gene transcription is mediated through GLUT4 promoter activation.

Introduction Le facteur de transcription Interferon Regulatory Factor-5 (irf5) est connu pour exercer un role crucial dans la polarisation des macrophages ainsi que dans l'activation de la reponse immunitaire adaptative. Recemment, nous avons revele l'importance d'IRF5 dans la progression du diabete de type-2 (DT2) en favorisant le developpement de l'obesite viscerale et la resistance a l'insuline (Dalmas, Toubal, Alzaid et al 2015 ; Nat Med). Le DT2 est souvent lie au developpement d'une steatohepatite non-alcoolique (NASH), caracterisee par le developpement d'une fibrose suite a l'activation du systeme immunitaire. Dans cette etude, nous nous sommes interesses au role d'irf5 dans l'inflammation et la fibrogenese hepatique. Materiels et Methodes Des souris invalidees pour irf5 dans les cellules myeloides (IRF5MacKO) et des souris sauvages ont ete sujettes a 1) un regime gras (HFD) et un regime deficient en methionine et choline (MCD) pour induire une steatose hepatique et 2) des injections tetrachlorure de carbone (CCl4) pour induire une fibrose hepatique. Une caracterisation phenotypique de ces souris a ete realisee sur le plan histologique, immunitaire et moleculaire. De plus, l'activation d'irf5 dans le foie de patients atteint de NASH a ete quantifiee. Resultats L'analyse phenotypique des macrophages hepatiques (cellules de Kupffer) suite aux traitements de souris sauvages demontre une augmentation de l'expression d'irf5. De plus, les marqueurs de la NASH correlent positivement avec l'augmentation d'IRF5 (e.g. accumulation des macrophages, augmentation des transaminases plasmatiques et de la fibrose). De maniere interessante, les souris IRF5MacKO soumises au regime MCD ou au traitement CCl4 ne developpent pas de fibrose en comparaison des souris sauvages. Ce phenotype protecteur est notamment orchestre par le changement de la polarisation des macrophages et la modification de la reponse immunitaire inhibant les processus de fibrogenese. L'activation d'irf5 a ete egalement verifiee dans l'analyse de foies de patients humains presentant differents stades de NASH. Conclusions Notre etude met en evidence l'effet deletere de l'activation d'irf5 dans les cellules myeloides au cours de la progression de la NASH. Le controle de la reponse immunitaire apparait une strategie therapeutique prometteuse afin de limiter la NASH.

International audience; Aims/hypothesis: Recent experiments in liver and adipocyte cell lines indicate that palmitate can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Since it has been shown that ER stress can interfere with insulin signalling, our hypothesis was that the deleterious action of palmitate on the insulin signalling pathway in muscle cells could also involve ER stress.Methods: We used C2C12 and human myotubes that were treated either with palmitate or tunicamycin. Total lysates and RNA were prepared for western blotting or quantitative RT-PCR respectively. Glycogen synthesis was assessed by [¹⁴C]glucose incorporation.Results: Incubation of myotubes with palmitate or tunicamycin inhibited insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (PKB)/ v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homologue 1 (Akt). In parallel, an increase in ER stress markers was observed. Pre-incubation with chemical chaperones that reduce ER stress only prevented tunicamycin but not palmitate-induced insulin resistance. We hypothesised that ER stress activation levels induced by palmitate may not be high enough to induce insulin resistance, in contrast with tunicamycin-induced ER stress. Indeed, tunicamycin induced a robust activation of the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1)/c-JUN NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, leading to serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and a decrease in IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast, palmitate only induced a very weak activation of the IRE1/JNK pathway, with no IRS1 serine phosphorylation.Conclusions/interpretation: These data show that insulin resistance induced by palmitate is not related to ER stress in muscle cells.

In rodent adipocytes, activated AMP-activated protein kinase reduces the lipolytic rate. As the hypoglycaemic drugs metformin and thiazolidinediones activate this enzyme in rodents, we tested the hypothesis that in addition to their known actions they could have an anti-lipolytic effect in human adipocytes.Adipose tissue was obtained from individuals undergoing plastic surgery. Adipocytes were isolated and incubated with lipolytic agents (isoprenaline, atrial natriuretic peptide) and biguanides or thiazolidinediones. Lipolysis was quantified by the glycerol released in the medium. AMP-activated protein kinase activity and phosphorylation state were determined using standard procedures.In human adipocytes, isoprenaline and atrial natriuretic peptide stimulated the lipolytic rate three- to fourfold. Biguanides and thiazolidinediones activated AMP-activated protein kinase and inhibited lipolysis by 30-40%, at least in part by inhibiting hormone-sensitive lipase translocation to the lipid droplet. Inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase by compound C precluded this inhibitory effect on lipolysis. Stimulation of lipolysis also induced an activation of AMP-activated protein kinase concomitant with a drop in ATP concentration.We show for the first time in human adipocytes that biguanides and thiazolidinediones activate AMP-activated protein kinase, thus counteracting lipolysis induced by lipolytic agents. In addition, beta-agonist- or ANP-stimulated lipolysis increases AMP-activated protein kinase activity. This is because of an increase in the AMP/ATP ratio, linked to activation of some of the released fatty acids into acyl-CoA. AMP-activated protein kinase activation could represent a physiological means of avoiding a deleterious drain of energy during lipolysis but could be used to restrain pharmacological release of fatty acids.

We previously reported that in cultured adipose cell lines insulin increased selectively the expression of Glut 1, in contrast to in vivo regulation where variations in insulinemia have been shown to affect only GLUT 4. We have addressed here the question of the long-term regulation of GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 in fat cells by using primary cultures of rat adipocytes. Epididymal fat cells were isolated by collagenase and cultured 4 days in DMEM supplemented with BSA 1%, FCS 1%, and glucose 10 mM. GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 proteins were assessed in total cellular membranes by Western blotting, using specific antibodies against their respective C-terminal peptides. GLUT 1 steadily increased over culture time to reach at day 3, a level 3-fold higher than the initial value. In contrast, GLUT 4 decreased sharply and stabilized at day 3, at 30% of the initial value. The changes in GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 mRNAs with culture time were parallel to changes in the corresponding proteins, suggesting a pre-translational level of regulation. The expression of the lipogenic enzyme, fatty acid synthetase (FAS), highly expressed in fat cell, decreased over time following a pattern closely parallel to that of GLUT 4. Chronic exposure to insulin added at day 2 had no effect on GLUT 4 expression but increased the expression of GLUT 1 and FAS by 70% and 36%, respectively. Glucose consumption was stable over 4 days of culture, while lactate production increased from 24 to 36% of glucose utilization, in agreement with the loss in FAS. Glucose consumption increased only slightly with insulin (+160%), in good keeping with the low levels of expression of both GLUT 4 and FAS in these cultured cells. These data indicate that culture alters oppositely the expression of GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 in rat adipocytes and suggest that factor(s) other than insulin predominate in their regulation in vivo.

This research was originally published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. © the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; International audience; Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with altered lipid metabolism and hepatocellular steatosis. Virus-induced steatosis is a cytopathic effect of HCV replication. The goal of this study was to examine the mechanisms underlying HCV-induced lipid metabolic defects in a transgenic mouse model expressing the full HCV protein repertoire at levels corresponding to natural human infection. In this model, expression of the HCV full-length open reading frame was associated with hepatocellular steatosis and reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Triglyceride secretion was impaired, whereas lipogenesis was activated. Increased lipogenic enzyme transcription was observed, resulting from maturational activation and nuclear translocation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c). However, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were expressed at similar levels in both HCV transgenic mice and their wild type counterparts, suggesting that SREBP1c proteolytic cleavage in the presence of HCV proteins was independent of ER stress. In conclusion, transgenic mice expressing the HCV full-length polyprotein at low levels have decreased plasma triglyceride levels and develop hepatocellular steatosis in the same way as HCV-infected patients. In these mice, SREBP1c activation by one or several HCV proteins induces de novo triglyceride synthesis via the lipogenic pathway, in a manner independent of ER stress, whereas triglyceride secretion is simultaneously reduced.

Purpose of review Nutritional hepatic disorders are spreading worldwide associated to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The underlying mechanisms leading to the development of hepatic steatosis and its complications are not fully understood. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response has recently been proposed to play a crucial role in the setting of these pathologies. This review will evaluate the late discoveries highlighting ER stress as a major actor in the development of nutritional liver diseases. Recent findings Activation of ER stress has been reported in the fatty liver of obese rodents and obese individuals. The mechanisms by which ER stress leads to the development of hepatic steatosis have been recently documented. ER stress has been shown to directly activate the lipogenic transcription factor SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c) conducting to an induction of the lipogenic pathway. ER stress activation is also associated with impaired VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) secretion. ER stress could also have a role in hepatic steatosis progression by triggering inflammation and fibrosis. In rodents, therapies aiming to reduce ER stress have fully demonstrated their efficiency in the treatment of hepatic steatosis. Summary ER stress has been recently involved in the development of hepatic steatosis. Thus, ER stress could represent in the future an eligible therapeutic target for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, as ER stress is a fundamental mechanism involved in cell survival, any modification of this pathway must be carefully assessed.

The question of a long term regulatory role of insulin on adipocyte glucose transporter content was addressed using the differentiating or fully mature 3T3-F442A adipocytes. Glucose transport was measured in intact cells. Glucose transporter content in plasma membranes and low density microsomes (LDM) was assessed by cytochalasin B binding and Western analysis. In insulin- versus spontaneously differentiated adipocytes, glucose transport and glucose transporters content of plasma membranes and LDM were increased 5-, 4-, and 2-fold, respectively. Insulin deprivation for 24 h induced a redistribution of glucose transporters in those cells which then displayed 2-fold higher glucose transport and glucose transporter content in plasma membranes than spontaneously differentiated cells and 3-fold more glucose transporters in LDM. When fully insulin-differentiated adipocytes were insulin-deprived for 4 days, there was a marked decrease in glucose transporters in both membrane fractions that was fully reversible by reexposing the cells to insulin for 4 days. Glucose uptake changes were closely proportionate to changes in glucose transporter content of plasma membranes as assessed by an antiserum to the C-terminal peptide of the erythrocyte/HepG2/brain-type glucose transporter. When Western blots were immunoblotted with 1F8 monoclonal antibody, specific for glucose transporter in insulin responsive tissues, an abundant immunoreactive protein was detected in both plasma membranes and LDM but the amount of this glucose transporter did not change with insulin exposure in any membrane fractions. In conclusion, insulin plays a long term regulatory role on cultured adipocyte glucose transporter content through a selective effect on the erythrocyte/HepG2/brain-type glucose transporter.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder often associated with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. Leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice are a well-characterized mouse model of obesity in which increased hepatic lipogenesis is thought to be responsible for the phenotype of insulin resistance. We have recently demonstrated that carbohydrate responsive element–binding protein (ChREBP) plays a key role in the control of lipogenesis through the transcriptional regulation of lipogenic genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase. The present study reveals that ChREBP gene expression and ChREBP nuclear protein content are significantly increased in liver of ob/ob mice. To explore the involvement of ChREBP in the physiopathology of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, we have developed an adenovirus-mediated RNA interference technique in which short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were used to inhibit ChREBP expression in vivo. Liver-specific inhibition of ChREBP in ob/ob mice markedly improved hepatic steatosis by specifically decreasing lipogenic rates. Correction of hepatic steatosis also led to decreased levels of plasma triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids. As a consequence, insulin signaling was improved in liver, skeletal muscles, and white adipose tissue, and overall glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were restored in ob/ob mice after a 7-day treatment with the recombinant adenovirus expressing shRNA against ChREBP. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ChREBP is central for the regulation of lipogenesis in vivo and plays a determinant role in the development of the hepatic steatosis and of insulin resistance in ob/ob mice.

In a screen for sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c target genes in the liver, we identified long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACS-5). Hepatic ACS-5 mRNA is poorly expressed during fasting and diabetes and strongly induced by carbohydrate refeeding and insulin treatment. In cultured hepatocytes, insulin and a high glucose concentration induce ACS-5 mRNA. Adenoviral overexpression of a nuclear form of SREBP-1c in liver of diabetic mice or in cultured hepatocytes mimics the effect of insulin to induce ACS-5. By contrast, a dominant negative form of SREBP-1c abolishes the effect of insulin on ACS-5 expression. The dietary and SREBP-1c-mediated insulin regulation of ACS-5 expression indicate that ACS-5 is involved in the anabolic fate of fatty acids.

Objective: To investigate AGT secretion in cultured adipocytes from obese patients and its relationship with obesity-related phenotypes, blood pressure, and the M235T polymorphism in the AGT gene. Research Methods and Procedures: Measurements, including anthropometry, body composition (DXA), and blood pressure, were performed in 61 overweight or obese women (BMI: 28 to 68 kg/m2). A subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue biopsy was used for adipocyte size determination and quantification of AGT secretion in the medium of cultured adipocytes. AGT M235T genotype was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Adipose secretion of the AGT protein (range, 140 to 2575 ng/106 cells/24 h) was not significantly correlated with BMI, body fat, or blood pressure and did not vary according to the M235T polymorphism in the AGT gene. However, the AGT M235T polymorphism was associated with adipocyte size (111.6 ± 2.8, 108.8 ± 1.9, 118.2 ± 2.6 μm in MM, MT, and TT genotypes, respectively; p < 0.01) after adjustment for age and fat mass. An association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and adipocyte size (p < 0.02 adjusted for sex, age, and BMI) was found in another independent sample of 106 obese subjects (sex ratio, M/F 16/90; BMI, 29 to 70 kg/m2). Discussion: In cultured adipocytes from obese subjects, AGT secretion was not associated with body fat phenotypes, blood pressure, or fat cell size. However, results from two independent studies suggest an association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and adipocyte size.

International audience; In vitro, the transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mimics the positive effects of insulin on hepatic genes involved in glucose utilization, such as glucokinase (GK) and enzymes of the lipogenic pathway, suggesting that it is a key factor in the control of hepatic glucose metabolism. Decreased glucose utilization and increased glucose production by the liver play an important role in the development of the hyperglycemia in diabetic states. We thus reasoned that if SREBP-1c is indeed a mediator of hepatic insulin action, a hepatic targeted overexpression of SREBP-1c should greatly improve glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. This was achieved by injecting streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with a recombinant adenovirus containing the cDNA of the mature, transcriptionally active form of SREBP-1c. We show here that overexpressing SREBP-1c specifically in the liver of diabetic mice induces GK and lipogenic enzyme gene expression and represses the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a key enzyme of the gluconeogenic pathway. This in turn increases glycogen and triglyceride hepatic content and leads to a marked decrease in hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. We conclude that SREBP-1c has a major role in vivo in the long-term control of glucose homeostasis by insulin.

Introduction L'insulinoresistance est une composante majeure du diabete de type 2 et se caracterise notamment par des alterations du metabolisme hepatique du glucose. En effet, chez des rongeurs obeses, l'insulinoresistance entraine une activation de la neoglucogenese hepatique contribuant ainsi a l'hyperglycemie chronique de ces animaux. Recemment, l'activation de la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique (ER stress) a ete decrite dans le foie des rongeurs obeses insulino-resistants (souris ob/ob souris sous regime gras). In vitro , il a ete montre que l'activation de la voie du ER stress inhibait la voie de signalisation insulinique dans les hepatocytes. Nous avons emis l'hypothese que l'activation de la voie ER stress pourrait jouer un role important dans l'insulinoresistance hepatique observee chez les rongeurs obeses. Materiels et methodes Dans ce travail, nous avons inhibe la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique in vivo dans le foie de la souris ob/ob en surexprimant la proteine chaperone BiP/GRP78 a l'aide d'un adenovirus. Nous avons analyse les consequences de cette inhibition sur la voie de signalisation insulinique et la sensibilite a l'insuline de ces animaux. Resultats Nous retrouvons une forte induction des marqueurs du stress du reticulum endoplasmique dans le foie des souris ob/ob par rapport aux souris ob/+. La surexpression hepatique de la proteine BiP/GRP78 chez ces animaux entraine une forte diminution de ces marqueurs. L'inhibition de la voie ER stress s'accompagne d'une restauration de la voie de signalisation insulinique PI3 kinase dependante ainsi que d'une amelioration des parametres metaboliques de ces animaux. Nous avons evalue la sensibilite a l'insuline en utilisant la technique du clamp euglycemique hyperinsulinemique couplee a la perfusion de glucose tritie. Les souris ob/ob surexprimant BiP/GRP78 dans le foie presentent une augmentation de la sensibilite hepatique a l'insuline sans modification majeure de la sensibilite peripherique. Conclusion Nos resultats montrent l'implication de la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique dans l'insulinoresistance hepatique observee chez la souris ob/ob. Une inhibition pharmacologique de la voie ER stress pourrait donc etre un moyen efficace pour ameliorer la sensibilite a l'insuline dans des modeles d'insulinoresistance.

Introduction La resistance a l’insuline, caracteristique du diabete de type 2, est la consequence d’une diminution de l’action de l’insuline en reponse a une accumulation ectopique d’acides gras (AG). Dans le muscle squelettique, il a ete clairement montre que l’action deletere des AG s’opere via la production de ceramides qui inhibent rapidement la proteine kinase B (PKB), une proteine pivot de la voie insulinique. Cependant, in vivo, une action negative a long terme des AG au niveau d’IRS1 est egalement observee. Notre hypothese est que les AG pourraient inhiber IRS1 via l’activation de la double-stranded RNA-dependent-protein kinase (PKR), proteine impliquee dans l’immunite innee. Materiels et methodes Des myotubes C2C12 ont ete incubes avec du palmitate (de 16 h a 48 h, pour permettre la biosynthese de novo de ceramides). Les consequences de ces traitements sur la voie de signalisation insulinique ont ete evaluees. Resultats L’incubation des myotubes a court terme avec un AG sature (palmitate) induit une diminution du signal insulinique (perte d’activation de la PKB par l’insuline). Cependant, un traitement plus long terme est necessaire pour que le palmitate agisse sur IRS1 (diminution de la phosphorylation d’IRS1 sur tyrosine et augmentation de phosphorylation sur serine). L’implication de la PKR comme mediateur des effets a long terme du palmitate sur IRS1 a ete evaluee en traitant les myotubes avec un inhibiteur de la PKR (PKRi). La presence du PKRi permet d’inhiber la phosphorylation sur serine et de restaurer la phosphorylation sur tyrosine d’IRS1 dans des cellules traitees avec du palmitate ou des ceramides. Conclusion Ces resultats montrent que les AG satures inhibent la voie de signalisation insulinique dans les myotubes a deux niveaux distincts : a court-terme au niveau de la PKB, a long-terme au niveau d’IRS1 via l’activation de la PKR.

The effects of a fish oil concentrate on blood lipids and lipoproteins were examined in relation to their effects on liver fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL). For 15 days, 2-mo-old rats were fed a control diet (10% of calories from fat, 4% fat by weight) or diets with 50% of calories (25% wt/wt) provided by lard, lard and fish oil calories (35%/15%), or lard and corn oil (35%/15%). The high-lard diet increased plasma chylomicron and liver triglycerides. The high-lard diet greatly decreased FAS, HMG-CoA reductase, and LPL activities; it also reduced H-TGL activity. Compared with the lard diet, the lard-fish oil diet decreased plasma TG by drastically lowering chylomicron (4-fold, P < 0.001) and very-low-density lipoprotein levels (P < 0.001). It also reduced high-density lipoprotein levels. The lard-fish oil diet prevented hepatic triglyceride accumulation and decreased FAS activity and mass by 3.5-fold (P < 0.001) but did not further decrease HMG-CoA reductase activity. Adipose tissue LPL activity was 2.5-fold (P < 0.001) higher with the lard-fish oil diet than with the lard diet, and H-TGL activity decreased significantly (-32%, P < 0.01), despite unaltered levels of H-TGL mRNA. These effects were significant with only 10% fish oil concentrate in the lard diet. They were not observed with the lard-corn oil diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The long-term regulatory effect of insulin on glucose transport activity and glucose transporter expression was examined in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) transfectants that overexpress either human insulin receptors of the wild type (CHO-R cells) or human insulin receptors mutated at two major autophosphorylation sites, Tyr1162 and Tyr1163 (CHO-Y2 cells). Previous studies showed that, when acutely stimulated by insulin, CHO-Y2 cells exhibit decreased receptor kinase activity along with decreased signaling of several pathways, including that for glucose transport, as compared with CHO-R cells. We now report the following. (i) When treated for 24 h with insulin (10(-10) to 10(-6) M), CHO-R and CHO-Y2 cells displayed closely similar concentration-dependent increases in 2-deoxyglucose uptake. In both transfectants, the maximal insulin-induced increase (approximately 3.5-fold) in uptake was cycloheximide-sensitive and was paralleled by equivalent increases in the levels of GLUT-1 immunoreactive protein and mRNA. (ii) By contrast, under similar conditions, CHO-Y2 cells exhibited a marked decrease in their response to insulin for [U-14C]glucose incorporation into glycogen (decreased sensitivity and maximal responsiveness) and for [U-14C]leucine incorporation into protein (decreased sensitivity) as compared with CHO-R cells. (iii) After a 24-h treatment with 10(-7) M insulin, CHO-R (but not CHO-Y2) cells showed a decreased ability to respond to a subsequent acute insulin stimulation of either receptor exogenous kinase activity or 2-deoxyglucose uptake as compared with respective untreated controls. These results indicate that (i) insulin receptors mutated at Tyr1162 and Tyr1163 retain normal signaling of the long-term stimulatory effect of insulin on glucose transport activity and GLUT-1 expression, but not on glycogenesis and overall protein synthesis; (ii) these three insulin signaling pathways may be triggered by distinct domains of the insulin receptor beta-subunit; and (iii) wild-type (but not twin-tyrosine mutant) receptors undergo negative regulation by chronic insulin treatment for subsequent signaling of acute biological actions of insulin.

Introduction L’AMPK participe au maintien de l’homeostasie energetique cellulaire et s’est imposee comme une cible therapeutique potentielle du diabete de type 2. L’AMPK inhibe, en effet, la production hepatique de glucose, stimule l’utilisation musculaire du glucose et active l’oxydation des acides gras dans le muscle et le foie. Chez le rongeur, l’AMPK inhibe la lipolyse adipocytaire sans qu’aucune donnee ne soit disponible chez l’homme. Biguanides et glitazones sont connus pour activer l’AMPK dans le foie et le muscle et leur utilisation clinique est associee a une diminution des concentrations plasmatiques d’acides gras libres. Le but de notre etude etait de determiner si l’activation de l’AMPK par les biguanides et les glitazones dans l’adipocyte humain pouvait inhiber la lipolyse. Materiels et methodes Pour repondre a cette question, nous avons recueilli du tissu adipeux humain issu de plasties abdominales. Les adipocytes isoles ont ete incubes en presence de biguanides et de glitazones. L’activation de l’AMPK a ete evaluee d’une part par mesure de l’activite enzymatique et d’autre part par Western blots permettant d’evaluer l’etat de phosphorylation de l’AMPK et de ses cibles. Nous avons ensuite etudie l’effet de l’activation de l’AMPK sur la lipolyse adipocytaire. Celle-ci a ete induite d’une part par l’isoproterenol, un agoniste beta-adrenergique, et d’autre part par le peptide atrial natriuretique (ANP), decrit comme etant un inducteur majeur de la lipolyse chez l’homme. L’utilisation du compose C, un inhibiteur de l’AMPK, a permis de discerner les effets specifiquement lies a l’AMPK. Resultats Nos resultats montrent que 1) les biguanides et les glitazones activent l’AMPK dans le tissu adipeux humain, 2) cette activation est responsable d’une inhibition de la lipolyse induite par l’isoproterenol mais aussi par l’ANP, 3) ces effets sont specifiquement dus a l’AMPK. En effet, lorsque l’on utilise le compose C, biguanides et glitazones n’activent plus l’AMPK et n’inhibent plus la lipolyse. Conclusion En conclusion, notre etude, en montrant que l’AMPK inhibe la lipolyse, apporte une preuve supplementaire en faveur du role therapeutique potentiel de l’AMPK dans le diabete de type 2.

Introduction Le stress du reticulum endoplasmique est une voie cellulaire, activee de maniere physiologique, qui permet au reticulum endoplasmique de s’adapter a une synthese proteique accrue et d’assurer une bonne conformation des proteines. Des donnees recentes de la litterature montrent que cette voie est activee dans le foie et le tissu adipeux de rongeurs insulinoresistants. Nous avons etudie les consequences de l’activation de la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique sur une fonction adipocytaire majeure : le transport de glucose. Materiels et methodes Des adipocytes isoles de rat ont ete incubes en presence de differents inducteurs du stress du reticulum endoplasmique (thapsigargine, tunicamycine et dithiothreitol) puis en presence d’insuline de maniere a stimuler le transport de glucose. Les marqueurs du stress du reticulum endoplasmique ont ete analyses par PCR quantitative pour les ARNm et par Western Blot pour les proteines. Le transport du glucose stimule par l’insuline a ete evalue en utilisant du [14C] 2-Deoxy-D-glucose comme traceur en absence ou en presence des inducteurs du stress. La voie de signalisation insulinique (PKB et PKC atypiques) a ete analysee par Western Blot. Resultats Nous montrons qu’une activation du stress du reticulum endoplasmique dans l’adipocyte de rat conduit a une inhibition du transport de glucose stimule par l’insuline. Celle-ci s’explique par une inhibition de la translocation de GLUT 4 a la membrane plasmique. L’analyse des voies de signalisation insulinique montre une diminution drastique de la phosphorylation activatrice de la PKB sur les residus Ser473 et Thr308 en presence d’insuline alors que la voie des PKC atypiques ζ/λ est activee. Conclusion En conclusion, nous montrons que la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique module de facon opposee les 2 voies PI3 kinase dependantes de la signalisation insulinique avec comme consequence fonctionnelle majeure une inhibition du transport de glucose stimule par l’insuline.

Adipocytes from young obese Zucker rats exhibit a hyperresponsive insulin-mediated glucose transport, together with a marked increase in cytochalasin B binding as compared with lean rat adipocytes. Here, we examined in these cells the expression of two isoforms of glucose transporter, the erythroid (GLUT 1) and the adipose cell/muscle (GLUT 4) types, in rats aged 16 or 30 d, i.e., before and after the emergence of hyperinsulinemia. GLUT 1 protein and mRNA levels were identical in the two genotypes at both ages. In contrast, the levels of GLUT 4 protein in obese rat adipocytes were 2.4- and 4.5-fold those of lean littermates at 16 and 30 d of age, respectively, in perfect agreement with the genotype effect on insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity. The levels of GLUT 4 mRNA per fat pad were increased 2.3- and 6.2-fold in obese vs. lean rats 16- and 30-d-old, indicating a pretranslational level of regulation. The obese phenotype was not associated with overexpression of GLUT 4 mRNA in gastrocnemius muscle. This work indicates that the fa gene exerts a differential control on the expression of GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 in adipose tissue and provides evidence that independent of hyperinsulinemia, genotype is a major regulatory factor of GLUT 4 expression in this tissue.

Introduction Le stress du reticulum endoplasmique est une voie cellulaire, activee de maniere physiologique, qui permet au reticulum endoplasmique de s’adapter a une synthese proteique accrue et d’assurer une bonne conformation des proteines. Des donnees recentes de la litterature montrent que cette voie est activee dans le foie et le tissu adipeux de rongeurs insulinoresistants. Nous avons etudie les consequences de l’activation de la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique sur la signalisation insulinique du foie et du tissu adipeux. Materiels et methodes Des hepatocytes ou des adipocytes de rat en culture primaire ont ete cultives en presence de differents inducteurs du stress du reticulum endoplasmiqueþ: thapsigargine, tunicamycine, homocysteine et dithiothreitol. Les cellules ont ensuite ete incubees en presence d’insuline et les consequences sur les effecteurs de la voie de signalisation insulinique (PKB et PKC atypiques) ont ete analysees par Western Blot. Resultats Dans l’hepatocyte et l’adipocyte, nous montrons qu’une activation du stress du reticulum endoplasmique conduit a une diminution de la phosphorylation activatrice de la PKB sur les residus Ser473 et Thr308 en presence d’insuline. Parallelement, nous observons une diminution des formes totales d’IRS1 et d’IRS2 ainsi qu’une augmentation de la phosphorylation d’IRS1 sur des residus serines. De maniere surprenante, nous montrons que l’induction de ce stress active la voie des PKC atypiques ζ/λ. Nous confirmons ces resultats in vivo dans le foie d’animaux obeses ob/ob chez lesquels nous observons une induction de la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique, une inhibition de l’activite PKB et une activation des PKC ζ/λ. Discussion En conclusion, nous montrons que la voie du stress du reticulum endoplasmique module de facon opposee les deux voies de la signalisation insulinique PI3 kinase dependantes. Conclusion Ces resultats permettraient d’expliquer pourquoi certaines voies metaboliques dependantes de l’insuline sont conservees et meme suractivees dans des situations d’insulinoresistance.

We investigated angiotensinogen (AGT) expression in adipose tissue and liver of Zucker rats during the onset of obesity. The developmental pattern of AGT expression (protein and mRNA) in liver was similar in both genotypes. In inguinal adipose tissue, AGT cell content was similar in suckling and weaned pups in lean rats, whereas it continuously increased with age in obese rats. AGT amount in adipocytes was unaffected by the genotype until weaning. Thereafter, adipocytes from obese rats displayed a significant increase in AGT content that was strengthened with age. Compared with the cell content, the amount of secreted AGT over 24 h was higher, and a genotype effect was observed as early as 14 days of age. Using fat cell populations differing by size, we showed that this AGT oversecretion was not solely related to adipocyte hypertrophy. Our results demonstrate that the fa genotype exerts a control on the production of AGT in a tissue-specific manner, suggesting a local role of AGT in the overdevelopment of adipose tissue.