Adipose tissue monomethyl branched-chain fatty acids and insulin sensitivity: Effects of obesity and weight loss

Xiong Su, Faidon Magkos, Dequan Zhou, J. Christopher Eagon, Elisa Fabbrini, Adewole L. Okunade, Samuel Klein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives An increase in circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) is associated with insulin resistance. Adipose tissue is a potentially important site for BCAA metabolism. It was evaluated whether monomethyl branched-chain fatty acids (mmBCFA) in adipose tissue, which are likely derived from BCAA catabolism, are associated with insulin sensitivity. Methods Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal was determined by using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure with stable isotope glucose tracer infusion in nine lean and nine obese subjects, and in a separate group of nine obese subjects before and 1 year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery (38% weight loss). Adipose tissue mmBCFA content was measured in tissue biopsies taken in the basal state. Results Total adipose tissue mmBCFA content was â30% lower in obese than lean subjects (P = 0.02) and increased by â65% after weight loss in the RYGB group (P = 0.01). Adipose tissue mmBCFA content correlated positively with skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity (R2 = 35%, P = 0.01, n = 18). Conclusions These results demonstrate a novel association between adipose tissue mmBCFA content and obesity-related insulin resistance. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the association between adipose tissue mmBCFA and muscle insulin sensitivity is causal or a simple association.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)329-334
Number of pages6
JournalObesity
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

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