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Increased adipogenic conversion of muscle satellite cells in obese Zucker rats

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages 1319–1327 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis:

Visceral and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) depots account for most obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are mesenchymal stem cells giving rise to myotubes and also to adipocytes, suggesting their possible contribution to IMAT origin and expansion. We investigated the myogenic differentiation of SCs and the adipogenic potential of both preadipocytes and SCs from genetically obese Zucker rats (fa/fa), focusing on the role of Wnt signaling in these differentiation processes.

Methods:

SCs were isolated by single-fiber technique from flexor digitorum brevis muscle and preadipocytes were extracted from subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT). Morphological features and gene expression profile were evaluated during in vitro myogenesis and adipogenesis. Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 10b (Wnt10b) expression was quantified by quantitative PCR in skeletal muscle and AT.

Results:

We did not observe any difference in the proliferation rate and in the myogenic differentiation of SCs from obese and lean rats. However, a decreased insulin-induced glucose uptake was present in myotubes originating from fa/fa rats. Under adipogenic conditions, preadipocytes and SCs of obese animals displayed an enhanced adipogenesis. Wnt10b expression was reduced in obese rats in both muscle and AT.

Conclusions/interpretation:

Our data suggest that the increase in different fat depots including IMAT and the reduced muscle insulin sensitivity, the major phenotypical alteration of obese Zucker rats, could be ascribed to an intrinsic defect, either genetically determined or acquired, still present in both muscle and fat precursors. The involvement of Wnt10b as a regulator of both adipogenesis and muscle-to-fat conversion is suggested.

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Acknowledgements

The excellent technical assistance of Sonia Leandri and Cinzia Centobene is greatly appreciated. This work was supported by grant RF-ASR-2007-628447 from the Italian Ministry of Health given to RV, by grant 2007BRR57M_004 from the Italian Ministry of University to GF, by grant RF-VEN-2005-132819 given to RV and by a grant from Città della Speranza.

Author information

Author notes

  1. L Boldrin

    Present address: 6Current address: The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.,

  2. A Scarda and C Franzin: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Endocrine-Metabolic Laboratory, Internal Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    A Scarda, C Franzin, G Milan, M Sanna, C Dal Prà, C Pagano, E Trevellin, M Granzotto, G Federspil & R Vettor

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Processing Laboratory, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    L Boldrin, M Piccoli & P De Coppi

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    P Gamba

  4. Surgery Unit, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London, London, UK

    P De Coppi

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  1. A Scarda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G Milan.

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Scarda, A., Franzin, C., Milan, G. et al. Increased adipogenic conversion of muscle satellite cells in obese Zucker rats. Int J Obes 34, 1319–1327 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.47

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