Metabolism of lipids in human white adipocyte

Abstract

Adipose tissue is considered as the body's largest storage organ for energy in the form of triacylglycerols, which are mobilized through lipolysis process, to provide fuel to other organs and to deliver substrates to liver for gluconeogenesis (glycerol) and lipoprotein synthesis (free fatty acids). The release of glycerol and free fatty acids from human adipose tissue is mainly dependent on hormone-sensitive lipase which is intensively regulated by hormones and agents, such as insulin (inhibition of lipolysis) and catecholamines (stimulation of lipolysis). A special attention is paid to the recently discovered perilipins which could regulate the activity of the lipase hormono-sensible. Most of the plasma triacylglycerols are provided by dietary lipids, secreted from the intestine in the form of chylomicron or from the liver in the form of VLDL. Released into circulation as non-esterified fatty acids by lipoprotein lipase, those are taken up by adipose tissue via specific plasma fatty acid transporters (CD36, FATP, FABPpm) and used for triacylglycerol synthesis. A small part of triacylglycerols is synthesized into adipocytes from carbohydrates (lipogenesis) but its regulation is still debated in human. Physiological factors such as dieting/fasting regulate all these metabolic pathways, which are also modified in pathological conditions e.g. obesity.