Lysophosphatidylcholine as an effector of fatty acid-induced insulin resistance

The mechanism of FFA-induced insulin resistance is not fully understood. We have searched for effector molecules(s) in FFA-induced insulin resistance. Palmitic acid (PA) but not oleic acid (OA) induced insulin resistance in L6 myotubes through C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) Ser307 phosphorylation. Inhibitors of ceramide synthesis did not block insulin resistance by PA. However, inhibition of the conversion of PA to lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) by calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) inhibitors, such as bromoenol lactone (BEL) or palmitoyl trifluoromethyl ketone (PACOCF(3)), prevented insulin resistance by PA. iPLA(2) inhibitors or iPLA(2) small interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated JNK or IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation by PA. PA treatment increased LPC content, which was reversed by iPLA(2) inhibitors or iPLA(2) siRNA. The intracellular DAG level was increased by iPLA(2) inhibitors, despite ameliorated insulin resistance. Pertussis toxin (PTX), which inhibits LPC action through the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)/G alpha(i), reversed insulin resistance by PA. BEL administration ameliorated insulin resistance and diabetes in db/db mice. JNK and IRS-1Ser307 phosphorylation in the liver and muscle of db/db mice was attenuated by BEL. LPC content was increased in the liver and muscle of db/db mice, which was suppressed by BEL. These findings implicate LPC as an important lipid intermediate that links saturated fatty acids to insulin resistance.-Han, M. S., Y-M. Lim, W. Quan, J. R. Kim, K. W. Chung, M. Kang, S. Kim, S. Y. Park, J-S. Han, S-Y. Park, H. G. Cheon, S. D. Rhee, T-S. Park, and M-S. Lee. Lysophosphatidylcholine as an effector of fatty acid-induced insulin resistance. J. Lipid Res. 2011. 52: 1234-1246.