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Fasting-induced increases in aquaporin 7 and adipose triglyceride lipase mRNA expression in adipose tissue are attenuated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α deficiency

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 1165–1171 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the impact of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α deficiency on gene expression of adipose triglyceride lipase and the glycerol transporter aquaglyceroporin 7 in white adipose tissue in the fed and fasted states in relation to glycerol release by isolated adipocytes.

Measurements:

Studies using wild-type and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α null mice. Hormone and metabolite concentrations, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), basal and stimulated adipocyte lipolysis, estimated by glycerol release.

Results:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α deficiency blocked the increase in aquaglyceroporin 7 transcript level and attenuated the increase in adipose triglyceride lipase transcript level in white adipose tissue elicited by fasting. Fasting glycerol levels were lower in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α null than wild-type mice, despite increased mobilization of adipocyte fat reserves in vivo as indicated by reduced adipose tissue masses (three distinct depots) and a significantly lower epididymal adipocyte diameter. Basal net glycerol release was unchanged but β-adrenergic-stimulated net glycerol release was higher with isolated adipocytes from fasted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α null mice compared with those of fasted wild-type mice.

Conclusion:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α deficiency prevents effects of fasting to increase adipocyte aquaglyceroporin 7 gene expression, and influences the regulation of inter-tissue glycerol flux after fasting via lowered adipocyte aquaglyceroporin 7 expression. Lowered gene expression of adipose triglyceride lipase and aquaglyceroporin 7 in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α null mice is not limiting for adipose triglyceride breakdown in vivo during fasting.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Diabetes UK (BDA:RDA04/0002863 and BDA:RD03/0002725) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK

    C G Walker, M J Holness & M C Sugden

  2. Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Metabolic Research Laboratory, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    G F Gibbons

Authors
  1. C G Walker
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  2. M J Holness
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  3. G F Gibbons
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  4. M C Sugden
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Correspondence to M C Sugden.

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Walker, C., Holness, M., Gibbons, G. et al. Fasting-induced increases in aquaporin 7 and adipose triglyceride lipase mRNA expression in adipose tissue are attenuated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α deficiency. Int J Obes 31, 1165–1171 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803555

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