Mechanisms of the depot specificity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ action on adipose tissue metabolism

In this study, we aimed to establish the mechanisms whereby peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) agonism brings about redistribution of fat toward subcutaneous depots and away from visceral fat. In rats treated with the fall PPAR gamma agonist COOH (30 mg . kg(-1) day(-1)) for 3 weeks, subcutaneous fat mass was doubled and that of visceral fat was reduced by 30% relative to untreated rats. Uptake of triglyceride-derived nonesterified fatty acids was greatly increased in subcutaneous fat (14-fold) and less so in visceral fat (4-fold), with a concomitant increase, restricted to subcutaneous fat only, in mRNA levels of the uptake-, retention-, and esterification-promoting enzymes lipoprotein lipase, aP2, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1. Basal lipolysis and fatty acid recycling were stimulated by COOH in both subcutaneous fat and visceral fat, with no frank quantitative depot specificity. The agonist increased mRNA levels of enzymes of fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis much more strongly in visceral fat than in subcutaneous fat, concomitantly with a stronger elevation in O-2 consumption in the former than in the latter. Mitochondrial biogenesis was stimulated equally in both depots. These findings demonstrate that PPAR gamma agonism redistributes fat by stimulating the lipid uptake and esterification potential in subcutaneous fat, which more than compensates for increased O-2 consumption; conversely, lipid uptake is minimally altered and energy expenditure is greatly increased in visceral fat, with consequent reduction in fat accumulation.