RBP4 increases lipolysis in human adipocytes and is associated with increased lipolysis and hepatic insulin resistance in obese women.

Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) is elevated in serum and adipose tissue (AT) in obesity-induced insulin resistance and correlates inversely with insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. But its role in insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis, free fatty acids (FFA), and endogenous glucose production (EGP) in humans is unknown. RBP4 mRNA or protein levels were higher in liver, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in morbidly obese subjects undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery compared to lean controls undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RBP4 mRNA expression in SAT correlated with the expression of several macrophage and other inflammation markers. Serum RBP4 levels correlated inversely with glucose disposal and insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis, FFA, and EGP. Mechanistically, RBP4 treatment of human adipocytes in vitro directly stimulated basal lipolysis. Treatment of adipocytes with conditioned media from RBP4-activated macrophages markedly increased basal lipolysis and impaired insulin-mediated lipolysis suppression. RBP4 treatment of macrophages increased TNFα production. These data suggest that elevated serum or adipose tissue RBP4 levels in morbidly obese subjects may cause hepatic and systemic insulin resistance by stimulating basal lipolysis and by activating macrophages in adipose tissue, resulting in release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that impair lipolysis suppression. While we have demonstrated this mechanism in human adipocytes in vitro, and correlations from our flux studies in humans strongly support this, further studies are needed to determine whether this mechanism explains RBP4-induced insulin resistance in humans.

Blood pressure reduction after gastric bypass surgery is explained by a decrease in cardiac output.

Blood pressure (BP) decreases in the first weeks after Roux-and-Y gastric bypass surgery. Yet the pathophysiology of the BP-lowering effects observed after gastric bypass surgery is incompletely understood. We evaluated BP, systemic hemodynamics, and baroreflex sensitivity in 15 obese women[mean age 42 ± 7 standard deviation (SD) yr, body mass index 45 ± 6 kg/m2] 2 wk before and 6 wk following Roux-and-Y gastric bypass surgery. Six weeks after gastric bypass surgery, mean body weight decreased by 13 ± 5 kg (10%, P < 0.001). Office BP decreased from 137 ± 10/86 ± 6 to 128 ± 12/81 ± 9 mmHg (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), while daytime ambulatory BP decreased from 128 ± 14/80 ± 9 to 114 ± 10/73 ± 6 mmHg (P = 0.01, P = 0.05), whereas nighttime BP decreased from 111 ± 13/66 ± 7 to 102 ± 9/62 ± 7 mmHg (P = 0.04, P < 0.01). The decrease in BP was associated with a 1.6 ± 1.2 l/min (20%, P < 0.01) decrease in cardiac output (CO), while systemic vascular resistance increased (153 ± 189 dyn·s·cm-5, 15%, P < 0.01). The maximal ascending slope in systolic blood pressure decreased (192 mmHg/s, 19%, P = 0.01), suggesting a reduction in left ventricular contractility. Baroreflex sensitivity increased from 9.0 [6.4-14.3] to 13.8 [8.5-19.0] ms/mmHg (median [interquartile range]; P < 0.01) and was inversely correlated with the reductions in heart rate (R = -0.64, P = 0.02) and CO (R = -0.61, P = 0.03). In contrast, changes in body weight were not correlated with changes in either BP or CO. The BP reduction following Roux-and-Y gastric bypass surgery is correlated with a decrease in CO independent of changes in body weight. The contribution of heart rate to the reduction in CO together with enhanced baroreflex sensitivity suggests a shift toward increased parasympathetic cardiovascular control. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: The reason for the decrease in blood pressure (BP) in the first weeks after gastric bypass surgery remains to be elucidated. We show that the reduction in BP following surgery is caused by a decrease in cardiac output. In addition, the maximal ascending slope in systolic blood pressure decreased suggesting a reduction in left ventricular contractility and cardiac workload. These findings help to understand the physiological changes following gastric bypass surgery and are relevant in light of the increased risk of heart failure in these patients.

Striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability increases after long-term bariatric surgery-induced weight loss.

In several studies reduced striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor (D2/3R) availability was reported in obese subjects compared to lean controls. Whether this is a reversible phenomenon remained uncertain. We previously determined the short-term effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) on striatal D2/3R availability (using [(123)I]IBZM SPECT) in 20 morbidly obese women. Striatal D2/3R availability was lower compared to controls at baseline, and remained unaltered after 6 weeks, despite significant weight loss. To determine whether long-term bariatric surgery-induced weight loss normalizes striatal D2/3R binding, we repeated striatal D2/3R binding measurements at least 2 years after RYGB in 14 subjects of the original cohort. In addition, we assessed long-term changes in body composition, eating behavior and fasting plasma levels of leptin, ghrelin, insulin and glucose. Mean body mass index declined from 46±7kg/m(2) to 32±6kg/m(2), which was accompanied by a significant increase in striatal D2/3R availability (p=0.031). Striatal D2/3R availability remained significantly reduced compared to the age-matched controls (BMI 22±2kg/m(2); p=0.01). Changes in striatal D2/3R availability did not correlate with changes in body weight/fat, insulin sensitivity, ghrelin or leptin levels. Scores on eating behavior questionnaires improved and changes in the General Food Craving Questionnaire-State showed a borderline significant correlation with changes in striatal D2/3R availability. These findings show that striatal D2/3R availability increases after long-term bariatric-surgery induced weight loss, suggesting that reduced D2/3R availability in obesity is a reversible phenomenon.

Sexual Dimorphism in Hepatic, Adipose Tissue, and Peripheral Tissue Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Humans.

Glucose and lipid metabolism differ between men and women, and women tend to have better whole-body or muscle insulin sensitivity. This may be explained, in part, by differences in sex hormones and adipose tissue distribution. Few studies have investigated gender differences in hepatic, adipose tissue, and whole-body insulin sensitivity between severely obese men and women. In this study, we aimed to determine the differences in glucose metabolism between severely obese men and women using tissue-specific measurements of insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity was compared between age and body mass index (BMI)-matched obese men and women by a two-step euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with infusion of [6,6-(2)H2]glucose. Basal endogenous glucose production (EGP) and insulin sensitivity of the liver, adipose tissue, and peripheral tissues were assessed. Liver fat content was assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a subset of included subjects. We included 46 obese men and women (age, 48 ± 2 vs. 46 ± 2 years, p = 0.591; BMI, 41 ± 1 vs. 41 ± 1 kg/m(2), p = 0.832). There was no difference in basal EGP (14.4 ± 1.0 vs. 15.3 ± 0.5 µmol · kg fat-free mass(-1) · min(-1), p = 0.410), adipose tissue insulin sensitivity (insulin-mediated suppression of free fatty acids, 71.6 ± 3.6 vs. 76.1 ± 2.6%, p = 0.314), or peripheral insulin sensitivity (insulin-stimulated rate of disappearance of glucose, 26.2 ± 2.1 vs. 22.7 ± 1.7 µmol · kg(-1) · min(-1), p = 0.211). Obese men were characterized by lower hepatic insulin sensitivity (insulin-mediated suppression of EGP, 61.7 ± 4.1 vs. 72.8 ± 2.5% in men vs. women, respectively, p = 0.028). Finally, these observations could not be explained by differences in liver fat content (men vs. women, 16.5 ± 3.1 vs. 16.0 ± 2.5%, p = 0.913, n = 27). We conclude that obese men have lower hepatic, but comparable adipose tissue and peripheral tissue, insulin sensitivity compared to similarly obese women. Hepatic insulin resistance may contribute to the higher prevalence of diabetes in obese men. Further insight into the mechanisms underlying this gender difference may reveal novel targets for diabetes prevention and/or therapy.

Lower striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in obese compared with non-obese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a result of a relative excess in energy intake over energy expenditure. These processes are controlled by genetic, environmental, psychological and biological factors. One of the factors involved in the regulation of food intake and satiety is dopaminergic signalling. A small number of studies have reported that striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor [D2/3R] availability is lower in morbidly obese subjects. METHODS: To confirm the role of D2/3R in obesity, we measured striatal D2/3R availability, using [123I]IBZM SPECT, in 15 obese women and 15 non-obese controls. RESULTS: Striatal D2/3R availability was 23% (p = 0.028) lower in obese compared with non-obese women. CONCLUSION: This study is an independent replication of the finding that severely obese subjects have lower striatal D2/3R availability. Our findings invigorate the evidence for lower striatal D2/3R availability in obesity and confirm the role of the striatal dopaminergic reward system in obesity.