Free fatty acid and glucose metabolism in human aging: evidence for operation of the Randle cycle

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (3) ◽  
pp. E501-E509 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Bonadonna ◽  
L. C. Groop ◽  
D. C. Simonson ◽  
R. A. DeFronzo

We assessed insulin effects on plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and glucose metabolism in seven elderly (71 +/- 2 yr) and in seven younger (21 +/- 1 yr) subjects matched for body weight and body mass index but not for percent body fat (32.4 +/- 3.8% in elderly vs. 20.4 +/- 3.5% in young, P < 0.05), by performing sequential euglycemic clamps at five insulin doses (0.6, 1.5, 3, 6, and 15 pmol.min-1.kg-1) in combination with indirect calorimetry and [1-14C]palmitate plus [3-3H]glucose infusion. At baseline, plasma FFA concentration, turnover infusion. At baseline, plasma FFA concentration, turnover and oxidation, and total lipid oxidation were all increased in the elderly (897 +/- 107 vs. 412 +/- 50 mumol/l and 11.2 +/- 1.4 vs. 5.14 +/- 0.86, 3.45 +/- 0.65 vs. 1.37 +/- 0.25, and 4.63 +/- 0.72 vs. 3.01 +/- 0.33 mumol.min-1.kg-1 lean body mass, P < 0.05 for all comparisons), whereas glucose turnover was similar as a result of decreased glucose oxidation (8.2 +/- 1.4 vs. 13 +/- 1.9 mumol.min-1.kg-1 lean body mass, P < 0.05) and increased glucose storage (6.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 1.7 +/- 1.3 mmol.min-1.kg-1 lean body mass, P < 0.05). At all insulin infusions, plasma FFA concentration, turnover and oxidation, and total lipid oxidation were higher in the elderly than in the younger group (P < 0.05). However, if normalized per fat mass, all FFA and lipid metabolic fluxes, both in the postabsorptive state and during hyperinsulinemia, were comparable in the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. E79-E84 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Groop ◽  
R. C. Bonadonna ◽  
D. C. Simonson ◽  
A. S. Petrides ◽  
M. Shank ◽  
...  

The dose-response relationship between the plasma insulin concentration and oxidative and nonoxidative pathways of free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism was examined in 11 obese and 7 lean subjects using a stepwise insulin clamp technique in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [1-14C]palmitate. The fasting plasma FFA concentration was elevated in obese subjects (793 +/- 43 vs. 642 +/- 39 mumol/l; P less than 0.01) and was associated with an increased basal rate of plasma FFA turnover, FFA oxidation, and nonoxidative FFA disposal, i.e., reesterification (all P less than 0.01). Suppression of plasma FFA turnover by physiological increments in plasma insulin was impaired in obese compared with lean subjects. However, plasma FFA turnover expressed per kilogram fat mass was normally suppressed by insulin in obese subjects. Although insulin suppressed plasma FFA oxidation to the same extent in lean and obese subjects, inhibition of total lipid oxidation by insulin was impaired in the obese group. Obese subjects had an enhanced basal rate of nonoxidative FFA disposal, which was suppressed less by physiological increments in plasma insulin compared with lean controls. Therefore, we conclude that 1) lipolysis in uncomplicated obesity is normally sensitive to insulin; the enhanced FFA flux is simply a consequence of the increased fat mass. 2) Nonoxidative FFA disposal expressed per lean body mass is enhanced in obese subjects and correlates with the increase in plasma FFA concentration and fat mass. 3) Enhanced oxidation of intracellular lipids contributes to the enhanced rate of total lipid oxidation in obese subjects.


1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (5) ◽  
pp. E736-E750 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Bonadonna ◽  
L. C. Groop ◽  
K. Zych ◽  
M. Shank ◽  
R. A. DeFronzo

Methodology for measuring plasma free fatty acid (FFA) turnover/oxidation with [1–14C]palmitate was tested in normal subjects. In study 1, two different approaches (720-min tracer infusion without prime vs. 150-min infusion with NaH14CO3 prime) to achieve steady-state conditions of 14CO2 yielded equivalent rates of plasma FFA turnover/oxidation. In study 2, during staircase NaH14CO3 infusion, calculated rates of 14CO2 appearance agreed closely with NaH14CO3 infusion rates. In study 3, 300-min euglycemic insulin clamp documented that full biological effect of insulin on plasma FFA turnover/oxidation was established within 60–120 min. In study 4, plasma insulin concentration was raised to 14 +/- 2, 23 +/- 2, 38 +/- 2, 72 +/- 5, and 215 +/- 10 microU/ml. A dose-dependent insulin suppression of plasma FFA turnover/oxidation was observed. Plasma FFA concentration correlated positively with plasma FFA turnover/oxidation in basal and insulinized states. Total lipid oxidation (indirect calorimetry) was significantly higher than plasma FFA oxidation in the basal state, suggesting that intracellular lipid stores contributed to whole body lipid oxidation. Hepatic glucose production and total glucose disposal showed the expected dose-dependent suppression and stimulation, respectively, by insulin. In conclusion, insulin regulation of plasma FFA turnover/oxidation is maximally manifest at low physiological plasma insulin concentrations, and in the basal state a significant contribution to whole body lipid oxidation originates from lipid pool(s) that are different from plasma FFA.


1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 394-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Wagner ◽  
R. A. Peterson ◽  
R. J. Cenedella

Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels and the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) were studied in cold-acclimated and cold-exposed chickens and compared to controls. Chickens cold-acclimated at 4–7 or 8–11 °C for 4 weeks had significantly elevated plasma FFA when compared to the controls at 19–21 °C. Although PGE1 had no effect on the basal level of FFA of controls, a significantly lower plasma FFA was seen after injection of either 10 or 30 μg PGE1/kg in cold-acclimated chickens. Chickens cold-exposed to 2–3 °C for 4 h demonstrated significant elevations of plasma FFA when compared to controls. Only 30 μg PGE1/kg significantly depressed the plasma FFA in the cold-exposed birds. No inhibition of basal FFA release was seen in control animals. From these experiments, it is concluded that chickens mobilize FFA extensively under cold-exposure and that this stimulated lipolysis is inhibited by PGE1.


1984 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Gross ◽  
P. Mialhe

ABSTRACT To elucidate the hypolipacidaemic effect of insulin in ducks, its action on the uptake of free fatty acids (FFA) by duck hepatocytes was determined. At low doses (10 mu./l) insulin stimulated FFA uptake. This effect was not observed with higher doses of insulin (20, 30 and 50 mu./l). Growth hormone at physiological concentrations and corticosterone (14·4 nmol/l) decreased basal activity, probably by reducing glucose metabolism and consequently α-glycerophosphate (α-GP) supply. Insulin was able to reverse the inhibition induced by GH and corticosterone on both FFA uptake and α-GP production. These results therefore suggest that the hypolipacidaemic effect of insulin may be partly mediated by its action on hepatic FFA uptake. J. Endocr. (1984) 102, 381–386


Author(s):  
Qingyi Jia ◽  
B Gisella Carranza Leon ◽  
Michael D Jensen

Abstract Context The factors that determine the recycling of free fatty acids (FFA) back into different adipose tissue depots via the direct storage pathway are not completely understood. Objective To assess the interactions between adipocyte factors and plasma FFA concentrations that determine regional FFA storage rates. Design We measured direct adipose tissue FFA storage rates before and after weight loss under high FFA (intravenous somatostatin and epinephrine) and low (intravenous insulin and glucose) FFA concentrations. Setting Mayo Clinic Clinical Research Unit. Patients Sixteen premenopausal women, BMI 30 - 37 kg/m 2. Intervention Comprehensive lifestyle weight loss program. Main Outcome Measure Direct FFA storage rates in upper and lower body subcutaneous fat. Results Over the entire range of FFA and under isolated conditions of elevated FFA concentrations the storage rates of FFA into upper and lower body subcutaneous fat per unit lipid were associated with concentrations, not adipocyte fatty acid storage factors. Under low FFA conditions, direct FFA storage rates were related to adipocyte CD36 content, not tissue level content of fatty acid storage factors. Weight loss did not change these relationships. Conclusions The regulation of direct FFA storage under low FFA concentration conditions appears to be at the level of the cell/adipocyte content of CD36, whereas under high FFA concentration conditions direct FFA storage at the tissue level is predicted by plasma FFA concentrations, independent of adipocyte size or fatty acid storage factors. These observations offer novel insights into how adipose tissue regulates direct FFA storage in humans.


1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. P. Turcotte ◽  
P. J. Hespel ◽  
T. E. Graham ◽  
E. A. Richter

The extent to which carbohydrate (CHO) availability affects free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism in contracting skeletal muscle is not well characterized. To study this question, rats were depleted of glycogen by swimming exercise and lard feeding 24 h before perfusion of their isolated hindquarters. After 20 min of preperfusion with a medium containing no glucose, palmitate (600 or 2,000 microM), and [1–14C]palmitate, flow was restricted to one hindlimb, which was electrically stimulated for 2 min to further deplete muscles of glycogen. After 2 min of recovery, glucose was added to the perfusate at final concentrations of 0, 6, or 20 mM, and after another 3 min muscles were stimulated for 30 min. At 6 and 2,000 microM palmitate, glucose uptake after 30 min of stimulation averaged 23.5 +/- 9.3 and 45.9 +/- 10.6 mumol.g-1.h-1 with 6 and 20 mM glucose, respectively. At 6 and 2,000 microM palmitate, palmitate uptake was lower (30–37%, P < 0.05) with 0 than with 6 or 20 mM glucose. At 600 microM palmitate, percent palmitate oxidation was higher (27%, P < 0.05) with 0 than with 6 or 20 mM glucose, resulting in similar total palmitate oxidation with the three glucose concentrations (0.28 +/- 0.01 mumol.g-1.h-1). At 2,000 microM palmitate, percent palmitate oxidation was not significantly different among glucose concentrations, resulting in a significantly lower rate of palmitate oxidation with 0 (0.62 +/- 0.18 mumol.g-1.h-1) than with 6 or 20 mM glucose (0.77 +/- 0.25 and 0.78 +/- 0.20 mumol.g-1.h-1, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2006 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. E1063-E1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Campbell ◽  
M. G. Carlson ◽  
J. O. Hill ◽  
N. Nurjhan

The regulation of lipolysis, free fatty acid appearance into plasma (FFA R(a)), an FFA reesterification and oxidation were examined in seven healthy humans infused intravenously with insulin at rates of 4, 8, 25, and 400 mU.m-2.min-1. Glycerol and FFA R(a) were determined by isotope dilution methods, and FFA oxidation was calculated by indirect calorimetry or by measurement of expired 14CO2 from infused [1-14C]palmitate. These measurements were used to calculate total FFA reesterification, primary FFA reesterification occurring within the adipocyte, and secondary reesterification of circulating FFA molecules. Lipolysis, FFA R(a), and secondary FFA reesterification were exquisitely insulin sensitive [the insulin concentrations that produced half-maximal suppression (EC50), 106 +/- 26, 91 +/- 20 vs. 80 +/- 16 pM, P = not significant] in contrast to insulin suppression of FFA oxidation (EC50, 324 +/- 60, all P < 0.01). The absolute rate of primary FFA reesterification was not affected by the increase in insulin concentration, but the proportion of FFA molecules undergoing primary reesterification doubled over the physiological portion of the insulin dose-response curve (from 0.23 +/- 0.06 to 0.44 +/- 0.07, P < 0.05). This served to magnify insulin suppression of FFA R(a) twofold. In conclusion, insulin regulates FFA R(a) by inhibition of lipolysis while maintaining a constant rate of primary FFA reesterification.


2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. E589-E596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trent Stellingwerff ◽  
Matthew J. Watt ◽  
G. J. F. Heigenhauser ◽  
Lawrence L. Spriet

This study investigated the effect of reduced free fatty acid (FFA) availability on pyruvate dehydrogenase activation (PDHa) and carbohydrate metabolism during moderate aerobic exercise. Eight active male subjects cycled for 40 min at 55% V˙o 2 peak on two occasions. During one trial, subjects ingested 20 mg/kg body mass of the antilipolytic drug nicotinic acid (NA) during the hour before exercise to reduce FFA. Nothing was ingested in the control trial (CON). Blood and expired gas measurements were obtained throughout the trials, and muscle biopsy samples were obtained immediately before exercise and at 5, 20, and 40 min of exercise. Plasma FFA were lower in the NA trial (0.13 ± 0.01 vs. 0.48 ± 0.03 mM, P < 0.05), and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was increased with NA (0.93 ± 0.01 vs. 0.89 ± 0.01, P < 0.05), resulting in a 14.5 ± 1.8% increase in carbohydrate oxidation compared with CON. PDHa increased rapidly in both trials at exercise onset but was ∼15% higher ( P < 0.05) throughout exercise in the NA trial (2.44 ± 0.19 and 2.07 ± 0.12 mmol · kg wet muscle−1 · min−1 for NA and CON at 40 min). Muscle glycogenolysis was 15.3 ± 9.6% greater in the NA trial vs. the CON trial but did not reach statistical significance. Glucose 6-phosphate contents were elevated ( P < 0.05) in the NA trial at 30 and 40 min of exercise, but pyruvate and lactate contents were unaffected. These data demonstrate that the reduction of exogenous FFA availability increased the activation of PDH and carbohydrate oxidation during moderate aerobic exercise in men. The increased activation of PDH was not explained by changes in muscle pyruvate or the ATP/ADP ratio but may be related to a decrease in the NADH/NAD+ ratio or an epinephrine-induced increase in calcium concentration.


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