Abstract
Background Individuals with elevated glucocorticoid (GC) levels tend to develop excess visceral adiposity, and adipose tissue specific GC elevations lead to increased adipose accumulation. This opposes the well known lipolytic actions of GCs. Evidence suggests that in the long term GCs increase lipolysis, however they may also have acute antilipolytic effects. Purpose We investigate these acute effects and potential mechanisms of action. Methods 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with doses of corticosterone (cort) (0–100μM) for 4 hours, after which cells underwent basal lipolysis. Glycerol release was measured as a marker of lipolysis, and HSL protein expression was measured as a marker of lipase activity. Results Adipocytes treated with 25, 50 and100uM cort, levels that represent those found within the tissue, had decreased glycerol release to approximately 85, 75 and 70% of control cells respectively. With the removal of cort, basal glycerol release was normalized to levels of controls. There were no changes in total HSL expression, however trends for elevated levels of pHSLSer565 with cort treatment were observed. Conclusions High levels of GCs, as would be present at the level of the adipose tissue, have an acute inhibitory effect on adipocyte lipolysis, and this effect is likely due to changes in lipase activity. This antilipolytic effect may play a role in GC related adipose accumulation.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call