Fatty acid binding protein expression in different adipose tissue depots from lean and obese individuals.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the expression of adipose tissue fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) in subcutaneous and visceral human adipose tissue depots from lean and obese individuals.


METHODS
Adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP) and keratinocyte lipid binding protein (KLBP) expression was quantified by western blot in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue from 20 obese and 9 lean individuals. RNA expression was quantified by Northern blot in the obese subjects.


RESULTS
In the obese subjects, ALBP protein and RNA expression was higher in subcutaneous compared with omental adipose tissue (increases of 31 +/- 14 % and 40 +/- 13 % respectively, both p < 0.05), whereas in the lean group, KLBP protein levels were 32 +/- 9 % lower in subcutaneous fat (p < 0.03). However, the ALBP/KLBP ratio was greater in subcutaneous compared to omental adipose tissue from both lean and obese subjects: increases of 187 +/- 71 % (p = 0.01) and 52 +/- 23 % (p = 0.17) respectively for the protein ratio, and 21 +/- 6 % for RNA (p = 0.01, obese individuals). In lean subjects, insulin concentrations correlated positively with the ALBP/KLBP protein ratio in both depots (both p < or = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
There are regional differences in adipose tissue FABP expression, which could be influenced by obesity. However, the ALBP/KLBP ratio is greater in subcutaneous than visceral adipose tissue in lean as well as in obese subjects. Investigation of adipose tissue FABPs could further our understanding of the role of fatty acids in the insulin resistance syndrome.
Fisher
R M
RM
Atherosclerosis Research Unit, King Gustaf V Research Institute, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. rachel.fisher@medks.ki.se
Eriksson
P
P
Hoffstedt
J
J
Hotamisligil
G S
GS
Thörne
A
A
Rydén
M
M
Hamsten
A
A
Arner
P
P
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D000199:Actins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C107608:FABP7 protein, human; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins