scholarly journals Fatty Acid Oxidation and Its Relation with Insulin Resistance and Associated Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (Suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary D. Lopaschuk

Alterations in muscle fatty acid metabolism have been implicated in mediating the severity of insulin resistance. In the insulin resistant heart fatty acids are favored as an energy source over glucose, which is thus associated with increased fatty acid oxidation, and an overall decrease in glycolysis and glucose oxidation. In addition, excessive uptake and beta-oxidation of fatty acids in obesity and diabetes can compromise cardiac function. In animal studies, mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) show cardiac insulin resistance in which the accumulation of intra-myocardial diacylglycerol has been implicated, likely involving parallel signaling pathways. A HFD also results in accumulation of fatty acid oxidation byproducts in muscle, further contributing to insulin resistance. Carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) has an essential role in the cardiomyocyte because of its need for large amounts of carnitine. In the cardiomyocyte, carnitine switches energy substrate preference in the heart from fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation. This carnitine-induced switch in fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation is due to the presence of cytosolic CrAT and reverse CrAT activity. Accordingly, inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, or stimulation of CrAT, may be a novel approach to treatment of insulin resistance.

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monte S Willis ◽  
Jon Schisler ◽  
Holly McDonough ◽  
Cam Patterson

Previous work has suggested that MuRF1, a cardiac-specific protein, regulates metabolism by its interactions with proteins that regulate ATP transport, glycolysis, and the electron transport chain. We recently identified that MuRF1 is cardioprotective in ischemia reperfusion injury. In the current study, we investigated the effects of MuRF1 expression on metabolic substrate utilization and found that MuRF1 shifts substrate utilization from fatty acids to glucose in a dose-dependent manner. Isolated neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes were treated with an adenovirus expressing MuRF1 (Ad.MuRF1) or GFP (Ad.GFP) at a range of 0–25 MOI (Multiplicity Of Infection). 14C-Oleate or 14C-glucose were added to cells for 1 hour and 14C-CO2 release was determined using the CO2-trapping method. Trapped 14CO2 and acid soluble metabolites were used to calculate total fatty acid oxidation. Cardiomyocytes treated with 5–25 MOI Ad.MuRF1 demonstrated a dose dependent decrease in fatty acid oxidation of 10.5 +/− 2.3(5 MOI), 8.5 +/− 1.9 (10 MOI), 6.6 +/− 1.6 (15 MOI), and 5.1 +/− 1.3 (25 MOI) nmol oleate/mg protein/h. Compared with control cardiomyocytes treated with 5–25 MOI Ad.GFP (average of 5–25 MOI=13.5 +/− 0.7 nmol oleate/mg protein/h), this represents a 22.2%– 62.2% decrease in fatty acid oxidation. Inversely, glucose oxidation increased with increasing MuRF1 expression. Cardiomyocytes infected with 25 MOI Ad.MuRF1 oxidized 184% more glucose (28.9 +/− 4.6 nmol glucose/mg protein/h) compared to control cells treated with 25 MOI Ad.GFP (15.7 +/− 1.3 nmol glucose/mg protein/h). Increasing MuRF1 expression resulted in no net gain or loss of calculated ATP production (1699 +/− 157 vs. 1480 +/− 188 nmol ATP/mg protein/h). The co-utilization of glucose and fatty acids as substrates for the production of ATP allows the heart to adapt to both environmental stress and disease. Increasing the relative proportion of glucose oxidation in relationship to fatty acids is a known protective mechanism during cardiac stress, and may represent one mechanism by which MuRF1 is cardioprotective.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 1110-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maruf Saddik ◽  
Gary D. Lopaschuk

Although myocardial triacylglycerol may be a potentially important source of fatty acids for β-oxidation in diabetes, few studies have measured triacylglycerol turnover directly in hearts from diabetic animals. In this study, myocardial triacylglycerol turnover was directly measured in isolated working hearts from streptozotocin-induced acutely diabetic rats. Hearts were initially perfused in the presence of 1.2 mM [14C]palmitate and 11 mM glucose for 1 h (pulse) to label the endogenous lipid pools, followed by a 10-min washout perfusion. Hearts were then perfused for another hour (chase) with buffer containing 11 mM glucose ± 1.2 mM [3H]palmitate. During the chase, both 14CO2 and 3H2O production (measures of endogenous and exogenous fatty acid oxidation, respectively) were determined. A second series of hearts were perfused using the same protocol, except that unlabeled palmitate was used during the pulse and 11 mM [14C(U),5-3H]glucose ± unlabeled palmitate was present during the chase. Both glycolysis (3H2O production) and glucose oxidation (14CO2 production) rates were measured in this series. Myocardial triacylglycerol levels were significantly higher in the diabetic rat hearts (77.5 ± 4.6 vs. 33.7 ± 4.1 μmol fatty acid/g dry mass in control hearts). In diabetic rat hearts chased with 1.2 mM palmitate, triacylglycerol lipolysis was increased, although endogenous [14C]palmitate oxidation rates were similar to control hearts and contributed 10.1% of overall ATP production. The majority of fatty acids derived from triacylglycerol lipolysis were released into the perfusate. In the absence of palmitate, both triacylglycerol lipolysis and endogenous [14C]palmitate oxidation rates were significantly increased in diabetic rat hearts, compared with control. Under these conditions, triacylglycerol fatty acid oxidation contributed 70% of steady-state ATP production in diabetic rat hearts, compared with 34% in control hearts. These results demonstrate that in diabetic rat hearts myocardial triacylglycerol lipolysis is significantly increased and can readily be used as a source of fatty acids for mitochondrial β-oxidation.Key words: heart, triacylglycerols, fatty acid oxidation, glucose oxidation, glycolysis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norihiro Imai ◽  
Hayley T. Nicholls ◽  
Michele Alves-Bezerra ◽  
Yingxia Li ◽  
Anna A. Ivanova ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThioesterase superfamily member 2 (Them2) is highly expressed in oxidative tissues where it hydrolyzes long chain fatty acyl-CoA esters to free fatty acids and CoA. Although mice globally lacking Them2 (Them2-/-) are protected against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, liver-specific Them2-/- mice remain susceptible. To explore the contribution of Them2 in extrahepatic tissues, we created mice with Them2 deleted in skeletal muscle (S-Them2-/-), cardiac muscle (C-Them2-/-) or adipose tissue (A-Them2-/-). When fed a high-fat diet, S-Them2-/- but not C-Them2-/- or A-Them2-/- mice exhibited reduced weight gain. Only S-Them2-/- mice exhibited improved glucose homeostasis together with improved insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. Increased rates of fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle of S-Them2-/- mice were reflected in alterations in skeletal muscle metabolites, including short chain fatty acids, branched chain amino acids and the pentose phosphate pathway. Protection from diet-induced hepatic steatosis in S-Them2-/- mice was attributable to increased VLDL triglyceride secretion rates in support of demands of increased muscle fatty acid utilization. These results reveal a key role for skeletal muscle Them2 in the pathogenesis of diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. H2304-H2309 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Stanley ◽  
Eric E. Morgan ◽  
Hazel Huang ◽  
Tracy A. McElfresh ◽  
Joseph P. Sterk ◽  
...  

The rate of cardiac fatty acid oxidation is regulated by the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I), which is inhibited by malonyl-CoA. We tested the hypothesis that the activity of the enzyme responsible for malonyl-CoA degradation, malonyl-CoA decarboxlyase (MCD), regulates myocardial malonyl-CoA content and the rate of fatty acid oxidation during demand-induced ischemia in vivo. The myocardial content of malonyl-CoA was increased in anesthetized pigs using a specific inhibitor of MCD (CBM-301106), which we hypothesized would result in inhibition of CPT-I, reduction in fatty acid oxidation, a reciprocal activation of glucose oxidation, and diminished lactate production during demand-induced ischemia. Under normal-flow conditions, treatment with the MCD inhibitor significantly reduced oxidation of exogenous fatty acids by 82%, shifted the relationship between arterial fatty acids and fatty acid oxidation downward, and increased glucose oxidation by 50%. Ischemia was induced by a 20% flow reduction and β-adrenergic stimulation, which resulted in myocardial lactate production. During ischemia MCD inhibition elevated malonyl-CoA content fourfold, reduced free fatty acid oxidation rate by 87%, and resulted in a 50% decrease in lactate production. Moreover, fatty acid oxidation during ischemia was inversely related to the tissue malonyl-CoA content ( r = −0.63). There were no differences between groups in myocardial ATP content, the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase, or myocardial contractile function during ischemia. Thus modulation of MCD activity is an effective means of regulating myocardial fatty acid oxidation under normal and ischemic conditions and reducing lactate production during demand-induced ischemia.


1993 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi S. Brandi ◽  
Donatella Santoro ◽  
Andrea Natali ◽  
Fiorella Altomonte ◽  
Simona Baldi ◽  
...  

1. Stress is associated with a severe, yet reversible, form of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to quantify the kinetics of insulin action (sensitivity and responsiveness) on intermediary metabolism during post-surgical stress. 2. We studied nine patients 6–8 h after major uncomplicated surgery, and eight healthy subjects matched for age, weight, glucose tolerance and duration of fast. A three-step isoglycaemic insulin clamp was combined with indirect calorimetry, [6-3H]glucose infusion and the forearm technique. 3. The following significant (P <0.05 or less) abnormalities were found in the patients. Hepatic glucose production was higher at baseline, and less suppressed by insulin. Whole-body glucose disposal was impaired at all insulin doses (by 33–60%). Glucose oxidation was depressed throughout the dose range but its increments in response to insulin were normal. In contrast, non-oxidative glucose disposal was essentially unresponsive. At all insulin levels, forearm glucose extraction was markedly depressed and forearm lactate release was in excess of concurrent glucose uptake, suggesting ongoing glycogenolysis despite insulin. Total lipolysis (plasma free fatty acid and glycerol levels) promptly responded to insulin but remained higher than in the control subjects throughout. In the forearm, even the highest insulin dose could not suppress net free fatty acid and glycerol release. Total lipid oxidation was increased throughout the insulin range, and calculated direct free fatty acid (as opposed to plasma free fatty acid) oxidation was virtually unaffected by insulin. Protein oxidation was slightly (35%) increased, but was suppressed normally in response to insulin. Energy expenditure was 20% higher at baseline, and tailed to rise with insulin. Arterial blood pH values were consistently (if slightly) lower, and net forearm proton release was higher, both at baseline and daring insulin infusion. 4. Post-surgical unsulin resistance is characterized by normal sensitivity but decreased responsiveness of glucose oxidation, lipolysis and plasma free fatty acid oxidation, whereas glycogen synthesis and direct free fatty acid oxidation are virtually unresponsive. For both glucose and lipid metabolism, the insulin resistance is particularly severe in forearm tissues, in which mild metabolic acidosis may play an additional role.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moacir Wajner ◽  
Alexandre Umpierrez Amaral

Patients affected by FAOD commonly present with hepatopathy, cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy and encephalopathy. Human and animal evidences indicate that mitochondrial functions are disrupted by fatty acids and derivatives accumulating in these disorders, suggesting that lipotoxicity may contribute to their pathogenesis.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.A. Hopkins ◽  
J.R.B. Dyck ◽  
G.D. Lopaschuk

The heart relies predominantly on a balance between fatty acids and glucose to generate its energy supply. There is an important interaction between the metabolic pathways of these two substrates in the heart. When circulating levels of fatty acids are high, fatty acid oxidation can dominate over glucose oxidation as a source of energy through feedback inhibition of the glucose oxidation pathway. Following an ischaemic episode, fatty acid oxidation rates increase further, resulting in an uncoupling between glycolysis and glucose oxidation. This uncoupling results in an increased proton production, which worsens ischaemic damage. Since high rates of fatty acid oxidation can contribute to ischaemic damage by inhibiting glucose oxidation, it is important to maintain proper control of fatty acid oxidation both during and following ischaemia. An important molecule that controls myocardial fatty acid oxidation is malonyl-CoA, which inhibits uptake of fatty acids into the mitochondria. The levels of malonyl-CoA in the heart are controlled both by its synthesis and degradation. Three enzymes, namely AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD), appear to be extremely important in this process. AMPK causes phosphorylation and inhibition of ACC, which reduces the production of malonyl-CoA. In addition, it is suggested that AMPK also phosphorylates and activates MCD, promoting degradation of malonyl-CoA levels. As a result malonyl-CoA levels can be dramatically altered by activation of AMPK. In ischaemia, AMPK is rapidly activated and inhibits ACC, subsequently decreasing malonyl-CoA levels and increasing fatty acid oxidation rates. The consequence of this is a decrease in glucose oxidation rates. In addition to altering malonyl-CoA levels, AMPK can also increase glycolytic rates, resulting in an increased uncoupling of glycolysis from glucose oxidation and an enhanced production of protons and lactate. This decreases cardiac efficiency and contributes to the severity of ischaemic damage. Decreasing the ischaemic-induced activation of AMPK or preventing the downstream decrease in malonyl-CoA levels may be a therapeutic approach to treating ischaemic heart disease.


2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (S1) ◽  
pp. S59-S66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Clarke

This review addresses the hypothesis that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly those of the n-3 family, play essential roles in the maintenance of energy balance and glucose metabolism. The data discussed indicate that dietary PUFA function as fuel partitioners in that they direct glucose toward glycogen storage, and direct fatty acids away from triglyceride synthesis and assimilation and toward fatty acid oxidation. In addition, the n-3 family of PUFA appear to have the unique ability to enhance thermogenesis and thereby reduce the efficiency of body fat deposition. PUFA exert their effects on lipid metabolism and thermogenesis by up-regulating the transcription of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein-3, and inducing genes encoding proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation (e.g. carnitine palmitoyltransferase and acyl-CoA oxidase) while simultaneously down-regulating the transcription of genes encoding proteins involved in lipid synthesis (e.g. fatty acid synthase). The potential transcriptional mechanism and the transcription factors affected by PUFA are discussed. Moreover, the data are interpreted in the context of the role that PUFA may play as dietary factors in the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Collectively the results of these studies suggest that the metabolic functions governed by PUFA should be considered as part of the criteria utilized in defining the dietary needs for n-6 and n-3 PUFA, and in establishing the optimum dietary ratio for n-6 : n-3 fatty acids.


2009 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 585-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten R. Soeters ◽  
Hans P. Sauerwein ◽  
Marinus Duran ◽  
Ronald J. Wanders ◽  
Mariëtte T. Ackermans ◽  
...  

The transition from the fed to the fasted resting state is characterized by, among other things, changes in lipid metabolism and peripheral insulin resistance. Acylcarnitines have been suggested to play a role in insulin resistance, as well as other long-chain fatty acid metabolites. Plasma levels of long-chain acylcarnitines increase during fasting, but this is unknown for muscle long-chain acylcarnitines. In the present study we investigated whether muscle long-chain acylcarnitines increase during fasting and we investigated their relationship with glucose/fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity in lean healthy humans. After 14 h and 62 h of fasting, glucose fluxes, substrate oxidation, and plasma and muscle acylcarnitines were measured before and during a hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp. Hyperinsulinaemia decreased long-chain muscle acylcarnitines after 14 h of fasting, but not after 62 h of fasting. In both the basal state and during the clamp, glucose oxidation was lower and fatty acid oxidation was higher after 62 h compared with 14 h of fasting. Absolute changes in glucose and fatty acid oxidation in the basal compared with hyperinsulinaemic state were not different. Muscle long-chain acylcarnitines did not correlate with glucose oxidation, fatty acid oxidation or insulin-mediated peripheral glucose uptake. After 62 h of fasting, the suppression of muscle long-chain acylcarnitines by insulin was attenuated compared with 14 h of fasting. Muscle long-chain acylcarnitines do not unconditionally reflect fatty acid oxidation. The higher fatty acid oxidation during hyperinsulinaemia after 62 h compared with 14 h of fasting, although the absolute decrease in fatty acid oxidation was not different, suggests a different set point.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 322
Author(s):  
Jae-Eun Song ◽  
Tiago C. Alves ◽  
Bernardo Stutz ◽  
Matija Šestan-Peša ◽  
Nicole Kilian ◽  
...  

In the presence of high abundance of exogenous fatty acids, cells either store fatty acids in lipid droplets or oxidize them in mitochondria. In this study, we aimed to explore a novel and direct role of mitochondrial fission in lipid homeostasis in HeLa cells. We observed the association between mitochondrial morphology and lipid droplet accumulation in response to high exogenous fatty acids. We inhibited mitochondrial fission by silencing dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1) and observed the shift in fatty acid storage-usage balance. Inhibition of mitochondrial fission resulted in an increase in fatty acid content of lipid droplets and a decrease in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Next, we overexpressed carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1), a key mitochondrial protein in fatty acid oxidation, to further examine the relationship between mitochondrial fatty acid usage and mitochondrial morphology. Mitochondrial fission plays a role in distributing exogenous fatty acids. CPT1A controlled the respiratory rate of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation but did not cause a shift in the distribution of fatty acids between mitochondria and lipid droplets. Our data reveals a novel function for mitochondrial fission in balancing exogenous fatty acids between usage and storage, assigning a role for mitochondrial dynamics in control of intracellular fuel utilization and partitioning.


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