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Increased expression of eNOS protein in omental versus subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese human subjects

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 811–815 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of eNOS and iNOS mRNA and protein in adipose tissue from subcutaneous (s.c.) and omental adipose tissue of obese subjects.

DESIGN: Subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue was obtained from subjects undergoing weight reduction surgery. Messenger RNA and protein levels were measured in tissue extracts and related to basal lipolysis, which was measured in isolated adipocytes from the same subjects.

SUBJECTS: Eight overweight but otherwise healthy male subjects (age 43.4±10.3 y, BMI 39±3.5 kg/m2, mean±s.e.m.).

MEASURESMENTS: For mRNA detection a competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method was used while protein was detected by Western blot. Glycerol release was determined in isolated adipocytes using a standard luminometric assay.

RESULTS: Tissue mRNA levels for eNOS in s.c. tissue were 6098±1969 amol/mg RNA and in omental tissue 6987±2914 amol/mg RNA (mean±s.e.m., P=0.75). iNOS mRNA levels were substantially lower; in s.c. tissue 227±127 amol/mg RNA and in omental tissue 245±162 amol/mg RNA (P=0.8). In Western blot, eNOS protein levels in s.c. and omental tissue were 1.88±2.0 and 7.47±4.11 (OD/mm2 100 µg total protein, P=0.0063), respectively. iNOS protein was expressed at significantly lower levels and barely detectable in both s.c. and omental tissue. Basal rate of lipolysis was two times higher in s.c. compared to omental fat cells (P=0.028).

CONCLUSIONS: eNOS protein is markedly increased in omental compared to s.c. adipose tissue in human obese subjects, probably due to post-transcriptional mechanisms. Since basal lipolysis is much lower in omental vs s.c. adipose tissue it is possible that regionally increased NO production, primarily by eNOS, may be involved in the site difference of basal lipolysis in obese subjects.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council, Swedish Diabetes Association, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, The Swedish Match Sverige AB, Karolinska Institute and the foundations of Novo Nordisk, A˚ke Wiberg and Stiftelsen fo¨r Vetenskapligt arbete inom Diabetologi. The excellent technical assistance of Britt Marie Leijonhufvud, Catharina Hertel, Eva Sjo¨lin, Kerstin Wa˚hle´n and Gaby A˚stro¨m is greatly appreciated.

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  1. Centre for Metabolism and Endocrinology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    M Rydén, M Elizalde, V van Harmelen, J Hoffstedt & K Andersson

  2. Department of Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    A Öhlund

  3. Department of Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    S Bringman

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  1. M Rydén
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Correspondence to M Rydén.

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Rydén, M., Elizalde, M., van Harmelen, V. et al. Increased expression of eNOS protein in omental versus subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese human subjects. Int J Obes 25, 811–815 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801625

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