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Hormone sensitive lipase expression and adipose tissue metabolism show gender difference in obese subjects after weight loss

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 6–16 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The effect of weight reduction on hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression and their relationship with adipose tissue metabolism were studied in massively obese men and women.

SUBJECTS: Seventeen obese subjects (eight men, nine women) participated in the study (age 44±2 y, weight 145±8 kg, fat 40±2% of body mass, mean±s.e.m.), who were going through a gastric-banding operation for weight reduction.

MEASUREMENTS: HSL and LPL mRNA expressions were analyzed using the reverse transcription competitive polymerase chain reaction. Subcutaneous fat lipolysis was measured in vivo by microdialysis and in vitro in isolated subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes. Measurements were done before and after 1 y of weight reduction.

RESULTS: Significant reductions in weight (for men −20.3±2.5%, for women −18.3±2.1% (mean±s.e.m.) and fat mass (for men −27.6±7.9%, for women −21.8±3.9%) were observed in both genders. In women HSL mRNA expression decreased by 31% (P=0.008) and LPL expression increased slightly, but nonsignificantly (42%, P=0.110). These changes were not observed in men. In men, inhibition of lipolysis with α2-adrenergic and adenosine agonist was improved (P=0.001) in isolated adipocytes.

CONCLUSIONS: This study uncovers new differences between genders in adipocyte metabolism along with weight reduction. In women, the observed changes in HSL and LPL gene expression suggest that deposition of lipids into adipose tissue might be favored after weight reduction. In men, the results indicate improved responsiveness to inhibition in adipose tissue metabolism along with weight reduction.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the grants from Academy of Finland, Research Council for Health, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Finland, Finnish Cultural Foundation of Northern Savo, Hoffman La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland and EVO fund by Kuopio University Hospital. The authors also thank Mrs Paulette Vallier, Ms Teija Inkinen, Ms Erja Kinnunen, Mrs Kaija Kettunen, Ms Irja Lyytikäinen, Mrs Eeva Hakulinen and Mrs Sirkku Malila for skillful technical assistance and the nursing staff of the Operational Unit 1 and Surgical Ward 2205 of Kuopio University Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Kuopio and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

    M Kolehmainen & MIJ Uusitupa

  2. INSERM U449, Faculté de Médecine R Laennec, Lyon, France

    H Vidal

  3. Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki, Finland

    JJ Ohisalo

  4. Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland

    E Pirinen & E Alhava

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  1. M Kolehmainen
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Correspondence to M Kolehmainen.

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Kolehmainen, M., Vidal, H., Ohisalo, J. et al. Hormone sensitive lipase expression and adipose tissue metabolism show gender difference in obese subjects after weight loss. Int J Obes 26, 6–16 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801858

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