Albumin Knockout Mice Exhibit Reduced Plasma Free Fatty Acids but No Impairment in Whole Body Fat Oxidation

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To improve understanding of the control of lipid metabolism, we aimed to determine whether lack of serum albumin decreases plasma free fatty acids (FFA), hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG), and whole body substrate oxidation in albumin knockout mice compared to wild type mice. Methods Male and female homozygous albumin knockout mice and C57BL/6J wild type controls, each on the 5k52 diet which contains a moderate fat content, were studied at 6–8 weeks of age. Body composition was tested by magnetic resonance. Substrate oxidation was measured by indirect calorimetry over 24 hours in metabolic cages. Plasma and tissues were collected after a 5-hour fast. Plasma FFA was measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Hepatic TAG was measured by a colorimetric kit. Results In albumin knockout mice compared to the wild type mice, plasma FFA (P < 0.0001) and hepatic TAG content (P < 0.0001) were each reduced, while body fat percentage was increased (P < 0.01). In addition, female versus male showed higher hepatic TAG levels (P < 0.01). These results indicate that the lack of serum albumin decreases plasma FFA and hepatic TAG accumulation. However, the average 24-hour oxygen consumption, metabolic rate, and respiratory quotient (RQ) were not altered in albumin knockout mice, indicating that total fuel oxidation and relative contribution of lipid to whole body metabolism was not significantly unaltered. Conclusions We propose that lack of albumin reduces plasma FFA which diminishes hepatic TAG content through changes in the lipid supply to the liver. The results indicate that tissue lipid accumulation can be altered by targeting albumin without substantially disrupting whole body substrate oxidation, suggesting that metabolic control of FFA trafficking toward sites of ectopic lipid deposition and toward oxidation can be regulated independently of one another. Funding Sources McKinley Educational Initiative and the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences