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Beta cell compensation for insulin resistance in Zucker fatty rats: increased lipolysis and fatty acid signalling.

Nolan CJ, Leahy JL, Delghingaro-Augusto V, Moibi J, Soni K, Peyot ML, Fortier M, Guay C, Lamontagne J, Barbeau A, Przybytkowski E, Joly E, Masiello P, Wang S, Mitchell GA, Prentki M

Molecular Nutrition Unit and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, University of Montreal and Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to determine the role of fatty acid signalling in islet beta cell compensation for insulin resistance in the Zucker fatty fa/fa (ZF) rat, a genetic model of severe obesity, hyperlipidaemia and insulin resistance that does not develop diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NEFA augmentation of insulin secretion and fatty acid metabolism were studied in isolated islets from ZF and Zucker lean (ZL) control rats. RESULTS: Exogenous palmitate markedly potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in ZF islets, allowing robust secretion at physiological glucose levels (5-8 mmol/l). Exogenous palmitate also synergised with glucagon-like peptide-1 and the cyclic AMP-raising agent forskolin to enhance GSIS in ZF islets only. In assessing islet fatty acid metabolism, we found increased glucose-responsive palmitate esterification and lipolysis processes in ZF islets, suggestive of enhanced triglyceride-fatty acid cycling. Interruption of glucose-stimulated lipolysis by the lipase inhibitor Orlistat (tetrahydrolipstatin) blunted palmitate-augmented GSIS in ZF islets. Fatty acid oxidation was also higher at intermediate glucose levels in ZF islets and steatotic triglyceride accumulation was absent. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The results highlight the potential importance of NEFA and glucoincretin enhancement of insulin secretion in beta cell compensation for insulin resistance. We propose that coordinated glucose-responsive fatty acid esterification and lipolysis processes, suggestive of triglyceride-fatty acid cycling, play a role in the coupling mechanisms of glucose-induced insulin secretion as well as in beta cell compensation and the hypersecretion of insulin in obesity.

Published 9 August 2006 in Diabetologia, 49(9): 2120-2130.
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