Markers of macrophage infiltration and measures of lipolysis in human abdominal adipose tissues.

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that high lipolytic responsiveness is related to increased expression of ATM genes in human adipose tissues. Omental (OM) and subcutaneous (SC) fat samples were obtained surgically in 46 women (age: 47.2 ± 4.7 years, BMI: 26.9 ± 5.2 kg/m(2) ). Body composition and fat distribution were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. Lipolysis was measured by glycerol release in mature adipocytes isolated by collagenase digestion under basal-, isoproterenol (10(-5) M)-, and forskolin (10(-5) M)-stimulated conditions. Quantification of macrophage gene mRNA expression (CD11b, CD11c, and CD68) in whole adipose tissue was performed using real-time RT-PCR. SC CD68 mRNA abundance was positively associated with isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis (r = 0.36, P < 0.05). This association remained significant after adjustment for total body fat mass (r = 0.34, P ≤ 0.05). In the OM depot, CD11b mRNA abundance was positively associated with isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis (r = 0.42, P ≤ 0.005). This association remained significant after adjustment for total body fat mass (r = 0.41, P ≤ 0.01). In subgroup analyses, high lipolytic rates in SC adipocytes were related to increased whole tissue expression of CD68 and CD11b in this compartment, independent of adiposity and fat cell size (P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.05). High lipolytic rates in OM adipocytes were related to increased whole tissue OM expression of CD11b, independent of adiposity and fat cell size (P ≤ 0.05). High adipocyte lipolytic responsiveness is related to increased expression of ATM markers in the corresponding compartment, independent of adiposity and fat cell size.