White adipose tissue overproduces the lipid-mobilizing factor zinc α2-glycoprotein in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently associated with protein energy wasting which has been recognized as a strong predictive factor of mortality. Zinc α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) has been proposed as a new adipokine involved in body weight control through its lipid mobilizing activity. We hypothesized that the uremic environment in CKD could alter ZAG production by white adipose tissue and contribute to CKD-associated metabolic disturbances. ZAG protein was quantified in 3T3-L1 adipocytes after incubation with plasma from healthy volunteers and CKD patients (20%, v/v). ZAG was also measured in white adipose tissue (WAT) from 5/6 nephrectomized rodents (Nx5/6) and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies from end-stage renal disease patients. Uremic plasma induced a significant increase in ZAG synthesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (+124%, p