Adipose tissue metabolism

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Adipose Tissue - The Body's Energy Bank

Histology of brown adipose tissue

  • White Adipose Tissue (WAT): Primary site for triglyceride storage. Functions in insulation and cushioning.
  • Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT): Specialized for non-shivering thermogenesis, crucial in newborns.
FeatureWhite Adipose Tissue (WAT)Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT)
Primary FunctionEnergy Storage (Triglycerides)Thermogenesis (Heat Production)
MitochondriaFewAbundant, high UCP-1 (Thermogenin)
AppearanceLarge, single lipid dropletMultiple small lipid droplets, brown color
VascularityLowerHigher

Lipogenesis - Stocking the Pantry

  • Goal: Convert dietary fats & glucose into stored triglycerides (TGs) in adipocytes, primarily in the fed state.
  • Key Regulator: Insulin.
    • Promotes glucose uptake via GLUT4 transporters.
    • Activates Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) on capillary endothelium.
  • Triglyceride Synthesis:
    • Backbone: Glucose provides the $Glycerol-3-P$ backbone.
    • Fatty Acids: LPL hydrolyzes TGs from chylomicrons/VLDL, releasing FFAs for uptake.
    • Esterification: 3 FFAs + $Glycerol-3-P$ → Triglyceride.
  • 📌 Mnemonic: 'LPL lets lipids pass' into the cell.

High-Yield: Insulin has a dual role: it stimulates LPL for fat storage while simultaneously inhibiting Hormone-Sensitive Lipase (HSL) to prevent fat breakdown. This ensures maximal energy storage when nutrients are abundant.

Lipolysis - Cashing in the Energy

  • Process: Breakdown of stored triglycerides (TGs) in adipocytes into free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol, releasing energy during fasting, exercise, or stress.
  • Key Enzyme: Hormone-Sensitive Lipase (HSL) is the rate-limiting enzyme.
    • Activated by phosphorylation.
    • Inhibited by dephosphorylation (driven by insulin).

Hormonal Control:

  • Activators (↓Insulin/↑Glucagon): Epinephrine, Glucagon, Cortisol.
  • Inhibitor (↑Insulin): Insulin promotes TG storage by inactivating HSL.

📌 Mnemonic: 'HSL is Hormone-Sensitive and Liberates' fatty acids.

Hormonal regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis

Exam Favorite: Adipocytes lack glycerol kinase. Therefore, the glycerol released during lipolysis cannot be re-used for TG synthesis within the adipocyte. It is transported to the liver for gluconeogenesis or glycolysis.

Adipokines - The Fat-Talk Hormones

Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ by secreting adipokines, which are hormones that regulate metabolism and inflammation.

  • Leptin: The satiety hormone. Secreted in proportion to fat mass, it acts on the hypothalamus to ↓ appetite. In obesity, leptin levels are ↑, but leptin resistance occurs.
  • Adiponectin: The insulin-sensitizing hormone. It ↑ glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. Secretion is ↓ in obesity.
  • Resistin: Induces insulin resistance. Its levels are ↑ in obesity.

⭐ Leptin deficiency is a rare cause of severe, early-onset obesity that is treatable with leptin replacement therapy.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • In the fed state, insulin activates lipoprotein lipase (LPL) for triglyceride storage and inhibits hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) to prevent fat breakdown.
  • In the fasting state, epinephrine and glucagon activate HSL, releasing free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol.
  • Hormone-sensitive lipase is the key, hormonally-regulated enzyme for lipolysis.
  • Adipocytes lack glycerol kinase, so glycerol must be transported to the liver.
  • GLUT4 is the primary, insulin-responsive glucose transporter on adipocytes.

Practice Questions: Adipose tissue metabolism

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 15-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his father 10 minutes after falling into a frozen lake during ice fishing. He was in the water for less than 1 minute before his father managed to pull him out. On arrival, his clothes are still wet and he appears scared. His body temperature is 36.2°C (97.1°F), pulse is 102/min, blood pressure is 133/88 mm Hg. Which of the following mechanisms contributes most to maintaining this patient's core body temperature?

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Flashcards: Adipose tissue metabolism

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Where does the energy to power gluconeogenesis come from in a starvation state? _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Where does the energy to power gluconeogenesis come from in a starvation state? _____

-oxidation of fatty acids

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