title: α-lipoic acid reduces fatty acid esterification and lipogenesis in adipocytes from overweight/obese subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  α-Lipoic acid (α-LA) is a natural occurring antioxidant with beneficial effects on obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative effects of α-LA on triglyceride accumulation and lipogenesis in subcutaneous adipocytes from overweight/obese subjects and to determine the potential mechanisms involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fully differentiated human subcutaneous adipocytes were treated with α-LA (100 and 250 µM) during 24 h for studying triglyceride content, de novo lipogenesis, and levels of key lipogenic enzymes. The involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  α-LA down-regulated triglyceride content by inhibiting fatty acid esterification and de novo lipogenesis. These effects were mediated by reduction in fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1, and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 protein levels. Interestingly, α-LA increased AMPK and acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation, while the presence of the AMPK inhibitor Compound C reversed the inhibition observed on FAS protein levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  α-LA down-regulates key lipogenic enzymes, inhibiting lipogenesis and reducing triglyceride accumulation through the activation of AMPK signaling pathway in human subcutaneous adipocytes from overweight/obese subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Galilea
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pérez-Matute
authors.forename: Pedro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Prieto-Hontoria
authors.forename: Neira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sáinz
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-Yoldi
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houssier
authors.forename: J Alfredo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langin
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Moreno-Aliaga
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004951:Esterification / Q000187:drug effects; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D050155:Lipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050177:Overweight / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; D008063:Thioctic Acid