Glucose-dependent Insulin Modulation of Oscillatory Lipolysis in Perifused Rat Adipocytes

OBJECTIVE: We showed glucose-dependent lipolytic oscillations in adipocytes that are modulated by free fatty acids (FFAs). We hypothesized that the oscillations are driven by oscillatory glucose metabolism that leads to oscillatory formation of [alpha]-glycerophosphate ([alpha]-GP), oscillatory removal of long-chain coenzyme A (LC-CoA) by [alpha]-GP to form triglycerides, and oscillatory relief of LC-CoA inhibition of triglyceride lipases. This study examined the effect of insulin on this hypothesis. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Samples were collected every minute from perifused rat adipocytes during the basal state followed by insulin (±glucose) or isoproterenol (±insulin; n = 4 each). RESULTS: Insulin caused a significant increase in glycerol release (18%), with a concomitant significant decrease in FFA release (38%). Without glucose, insulin had no effect on glycerol release while still decreasing FFA release (35%). Insulin (5 [micro]U/mL) attenuated the response of lipolysis to isoproterenol ([approximately]3-fold increase with isoproterenol vs. 2-fold increase with insulin + isoproterenol). However, 1 mU/mL insulin amplified the lipolytic response ([approximately]5-fold increase in glycerol release with insulin + isoproterenol), with a concomitant increase in FFA reesterification (no increase in FFA release compared with isoproterenol alone). DISCUSSION: We interpret these results to be due to insulin's ability to increase glucose uptake and conversion to [alpha]-GP, thus removing LC-CoA inhibition of triglyceride lipases. While the physiological importance of lipolytic oscillations remains to be determined, we hypothesize that such an oscillation may play an important role in the delivery of FFAs to the liver, {szligbeta} cells, and other tissues.