Markers of de novo lipogenesis in adipose tissue: associations with small adipocytes and insulin sensitivity in humans.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Previous studies have shown relationships between fatty acid ratios in adipose tissue triacylglycerol (TG), adipocyte size and measures of insulin sensitivity. We hypothesised that variations in adipose tissue de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in relation to adiposity might explain some of these observations. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue biopsies from 59 people were examined in relation to fasting and post-glucose insulin sensitivity. Adipocyte size, TG fatty acid composition and mRNA expression of lipogenic genes were determined. RESULTS: We found strong positive relationships between adipose tissue TG content of the fatty acids myristic acid (14:0) and stearic acid (18:0) with insulin sensitivity (HOMA model) (p < 0.01 for each), and inverse relationships with adipocyte size (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). Variation in 18:0 content was the determinant of the adipose tissue TG 18:1 n-9/18:0 ratio, which correlated negatively with insulin sensitivity (p < 0.01), as observed previously. Adipose tissue 18:0 content correlated positively with the mRNA expression of lipogenic genes (e.g. FASN, p < 0.01). Lipogenic gene expression (a composite measure derived from principal components analysis) was inversely correlated with adipocyte cell size (p < 0.001). There was no relationship between dietary saturated fatty acid intake and adipose tissue 18:0 content. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest a physiological mechanism whereby DNL is downregulated as adipocytes expand. Taken together with other data, they also suggest that hepatic and adipose tissue DNL are not regulated in parallel. We also confirm a strong relationship between small adipocytes and insulin sensitivity, which is independent of BMI.

Exercise prevents the accumulation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants seen when changing to a high-carbohydrate diet.

We tested the hypothesis that daily aerobic exercise opposes the fasting hypertriglyceridemia and exaggerated postprandial lipemia observed after substituting dietary fat with carbohydrate. Eight healthy postmenopausal women aged 51 to 66 years consumed the same high-fat mixed meal on 3 occasions: (1) after 3 days on a low-carbohydrate diet (35%, 50%, and 15% energy from carbohydrate, fat, and protein, respectively); (2) after 3 days on an isoenergetic high-carbohydrate diet (corresponding values 70%, 15%, and 15%); and (3) after 3 days on the same high-carbohydrate diet with 60 minutes of brisk walking daily. Plasma triglycerides were higher after the high-carbohydrate diet than after the low-carbohydrate diet: fasting, 1.58+/-0.19 versus 0.96+/-0.12 mmol/L, respectively; 6-hour postprandial area under concentration versus time curve, 13.74+/-1.57 versus 10.12+/-1.15 (mmol/L)xhour, respectively (both P<0.01). In the fasted and postprandial states, concentrations of apolipoproteins B-48 and B-100 in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction were significantly higher after the high-carbohydrate diet, as was the concentration of remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol (a measure of lipoprotein remnants). These carbohydrate-induced increases in the number of circulating triglyceride-rich particles and their remnants were abolished when subjects had exercised daily during the high-carbohydrate diet.

Effects of physiological hypercortisolemia on the regulation of lipolysis in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Cortisol is known to increase whole body lipolysis, yet chronic hypercortisolemia results in increased fat mass. The main aim of the study was to explain these two apparently opposed observations by examining the acute effects of hypercortisolemia on lipolysis in subcutaneous adipose tissue and in the whole body. Six healthy subjects were studied on two occasions. On one occasion hydrocortisone sodium succinate was infused i.v. to induce hypercortisolemia (mean plasma cortisol concentrations, 1500 +/- 100 vs. 335 +/- 25 nmol/L; P < 0.001); on the other occasion (control study) no intervention was made. Lipolysis in the s.c. adipose tissue of the anterior abdominal wall was studied by measurement of arterio-venous differences, and lipolysis in the whole body was studied by constant infusion of [1,2,3-2H5]glycerol for measurement of the systemic glycerol appearance rate. Hypercortisolemia led to significantly increased arterialized plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA; P < 0.01) and blood glycerol concentrations (P < 0.05), with an increase in systemic glycerol appearance (P < 0.05). However, in s.c. abdominal adipose tissue, hypercortisolemia decreased veno-arterialized differences for NEFA (P < 0.05) and reduced NEFA efflux (P < 0.05). This reduction was attributable to decreased intracellular lipolysis (P < 0.05), reflecting decreased hormone-sensitive lipase action in this adipose depot. Hypercortisolemia caused a reduction in arterialized plasma TAG concentrations (P < 0.05), but without a significant change in the local extraction of TAG (presumed to reflect the action of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase). There was no significant difference in plasma insulin concentrations between the control and hypercortisolemia study. Site-specific regulation of the enzymes of intracellular lipolysis (hormone-sensitive lipase) and intravascular lipolysis (lipoprotein lipase) may explain the ability of acute cortisol treatment to increase systemic glycerol and NEFA appearance rates while chronically promoting net central fat deposition.

Immediate metabolic availability of dietary fat in combination with carbohydrate.

We tested the hypothesis that when fat is ingested in combination with carbohydrate, direct release of fatty acids into the plasma may occur. Eight normal subjects ingested two meals: high-fat (80 g fat, 80 g carbohydrate, and 18 g protein) and low-fat (< 1 g fat, otherwise closely matched). Over the subsequent 6 h, net fat oxidation was greater after the high-fat meal (20.7 vs 10.6 g, P < 0.01). Plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were markedly suppressed after the low-fat meal, but relatively maintained after the high-fat meal (P < 0.01). The profile of plasma NEFAs changed after the high-fat meal, consistent with entry of meal-derived fatty acids into the NEFA pool. We suggest that after ingestion of combinations of carbohydrate and fat, the action of lipoprotein lipase on chylomicron-triacylglycerol leads to direct release of fatty acids into the plasma and increased fat oxidation.

Uptake of individual fatty acids into adipose tissue in relation to their presence in the diet.

BACKGROUND: The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue triacylglycerol reflects, but is not identical to, the fatty acid composition of the habitual diet. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue is explained by differences between fatty acids in early storage in adipose tissue after a meal. DESIGN: Nine healthy men ate a meal containing several fatty acids. Blood samples were taken for 6 h after the meal from an arterialized hand vein and a vein draining the anterior abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue. RESULTS: Net storage of fatty acids in adipose tissue occurred between 1 and 4 h after the meal. In relation to the amount fed, storage of fatty acids differed (P < 0. 01) between classes (n-3 polyunsaturated < saturated < n-6 polyunsaturated < monounsaturated); oleic acid was stored in the greatest amounts. These differences agreed closely with published data, except for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The only individual metabolic step at which significant differences between fatty acids was shown was incorporation of fatty acids into chylomicron triacylglycerol. Differences between fatty acids in rate of extraction from chylomicron triacylglycerol and net uptake into adipose tissue in the postprandial period were significant (P < 0. 01), but not when expressed in relation to proportions in chylomicron triacylglycerol. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic fatty acid pattern of adipose tissue may predominantly reflect the early metabolic handling of different fatty acids. Adipose tissue uptake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is slow in relation to that of other fatty acids.

Glycerol and lactate uptake in human forearm.

Arteriovenous differences for lactate and glycerol reported across the human forearm are inconsistent in direction and magnitude. Such inconsistency could represent the effects of differing forearm compositions. The hypothesis was tested by examination of 37 studies of forearm arteriovenous differences for lactate, glycerol, glucose, and oxygen (only measured in 25 studies) in 23 normal subjects after overnight fast. In 16 studies, glycerol was taken up rather than released by the forearm, and in 12 of these the arteriovenous difference was greater than could be accounted for by analytical variation. The arteriovenous differences for glycerol and lactate were positively correlated (r = .44, P less than .01). The hypothesis that glycerol and lactate uptake might reflect a more "oxidative" forearm was not borne out, since neither glycerol nor lactate arteriovenous differences correlated with that for oxygen, although oxygen and glucose arteriovenous differences and fluxes were correlated (fluxes: r = .60, P less than .01). The arteriovenous difference for glycerol was positively related to body mass index, arguing against a variable contribution from fat. The hypothesis that the direction of glycerol and lactate exchange would reflect the forearm composition was not borne out by the analysis of repeated studies on the same individual, which showed that the variation within subjects was not significantly less than that between subjects. Therefore, we conclude that in approximately 40% of studies in normal subjects after an overnight fast, the forearm will show glycerol uptake, although we have been unable to identify any physiological reason for this phenomenon. Peripheral glycerol uptake has implications for studies in which glycerol release is taken as a measure of lipolysis.

Arteriovenous differences across human adipose and forearm tissues after overnight fast.

Measurements of arteriovenous differences across subcutaneous abdominal tissue (mainly adipose) and deep forearm tissue (mainly muscle) were made on 25 occasions in normal subjects after an overnight fast. Adipose tissue was shown to be strongly lipolytic (releasing nonesterified fatty acids and glycerol), to clear circulating triacylglycerol, glucose, ketone bodies and acetate, and to produce lactate. Uptake of circulating carbohydrate and ketones was sufficient to account for only 51% of the adipose tissue oxygen consumption, implying that adipose tissue utilizes fuel(s) stored within it. The mean fractional re-esterification rate of fatty acids in adipose tissue was 13% to 19%. Arteriovenous differences were converted to fluxes of carbon atoms to compare the movements of different fuels. (Amino acids were not included in these calculations.) Adipose tissue after an overnight fast was a net exporter of carbon, whereas in resting muscle the uptake of carbon atoms from circulating carbohydrate and lipid fuels approximately balanced the CO2 production. Fatty acids were the main form in which carbon left adipose tissue, and the main source of carbon atoms entering the resting forearm.

Periprandial regulation of lipid metabolism in insulin-treated diabetes mellitus.

We have examined the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in the postabsorptive and postprandial states in six subjects with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, and compared them with eight nondiabetic subjects. Blood or plasma concentrations of metabolites and fluxes across forearm and subcutaneous adipose tissue were studied after an overnight fast and for 6 hours after a mixed meal (3.1 MJ, 41% from fat). In the postabsorptive state, regulation of lipid metabolism in the two groups appeared basically similar except that a wider spread of plasma (free) insulin concentrations in the diabetic group led to a wider range of values of plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) release from adipose tissue, plasma NEFA concentrations, and blood ketone body concentrations. Extraction of ketone bodies across adipose tissue was positively correlated with arterial concentration in both groups (as it was in the forearm), confirming the ability of human adipose tissue to utilize ketone bodies. A single subcutaneous injection of insulin before the meal in the diabetic group produced a plasma free-insulin profile that was blunted and prolonged compared with the postprandial response in the control group. Postprandial forearm glucose uptake followed very closely the plasma (free) insulin concentration. Postprandial suppression of NEFA release from adipose tissue was essentially normal in the diabetic group, and the normal postprandial decrease in plasma NEFA concentrations was reproduced extremely closely. Forearm and adipose tissue blood flow did not differ between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic responses of forearm and adipose tissues to acute ethanol ingestion.

Although excess ethanol consumption is often considered to lead to adiposity, the metabolic routes by which this might occur are not clear. We have investigated some metabolic consequences of acute ethanol ingestion by measuring arteriovenous differences across forearm muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue for 6 hours after ingestion of 47.5 g ethanol, in seven normal subjects fasted overnight. The expected systemic effects of ethanol ingestion were observed: slight lowering of the plasma glucose concentration, depression of plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, and elevation of the blood lactate/pyruvate and 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratios. There was a marked reduction in blood total ketone bodies in relation to plasma NEFA concentrations. However, the only major change observed in peripheral tissue metabolism was an increased uptake of acetate into forearm muscle, equivalent, in whole-body terms, to only 3% of the ethanol load. Adipose tissue appeared to show a reduced cytoplasmic state in that it exported an increased ratio of lactate to pyruvate after ethanol ingestion. However, this reduced state did not lead to increased fatty acid reesterification within adipose tissue. No mechanism was clearly identified whereby ethanol ingestion might lead to net deposition of triacylglycerol in adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue metabolism in obesity: lipase action in vivo before and after a mixed meal.

Physiological actions of insulin include suppression of fat mobilization from adipose tissue and activation of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase. Here, we report measurements of adipose tissue hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) action in vivo in 10 normal and eight obese subjects, with the latter group having varying degrees of glucose intolerance. HSL and LPL actions (per gram of adipose tissue) were similar in the two groups, after an overnight fast. In the normal subjects, HSL action was suppressed after a meal (by 75% +/- 6% between 60 to 300 minutes, P less than .01), and the action of LPL was increased (clearance of circulating triacylglycerol [TAG] increased by 140% +/- 57% at 300 minutes, P less than .05). Despite hyperinsulinemia, these responses were blunted in the obese subjects (P less than .05 for each change being less than in normal group). The adipose tissue of the obese subjects showed continued nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) release at a time when NEFA mobilization was completely suppressed in the normal group. Both impaired suppression of HSL and low fractional retention of fatty acids for reesterification within the adipose tissue contributed to this abnormal NEFA release. Impaired activation of LPL was associated with a greater absolute increase in plasma TAG concentration postprandially in the obese. In obese subjects, adipose tissue HSL and LPL fail to respond to immunoreactive insulin postprandially, which may be an important maladaptation in terms of lipoprotein metabolism and risk of coronary heart disease.

Physiological and metabolic responses to a hill walk.

The physiological and metabolic demands of hill walking have not been studied systematically in the field despite the potentially deleterious physiological consequences of activity sustained over an entire day. On separate occasions, 13 subjects completed a self-paced hill walk over 12 km, consisting of a range of gradients and terrain typical of a mountainous walk. During the hill walk, continuous measurements of rectal (T(re)) and skin (T(sk)) temperatures and of respiratory gas exchange were made to calculate the total energy expenditure. Blood samples, for the analysis of metabolites and hormones, were taken before breakfast and lunch and immediately after the hill walk. During the first 5 km of the walk (100- to 902-m elevation), T(re) increased (36.9 +/- 0.2 to 38.5 +/- 0.4 degrees C) with a subsequent decrease in mean T(sk) from this time point. T(re) decreased by approximately 1.0 degrees C during a 30-min stop for lunch, and it continued to decrease a further 0.5 degrees C after walking recommenced. The total energy intake from both breakfast and lunch [5.6 +/- 0.7 (SE) MJ] was lower than the energy expended [14.5 +/- 0.5 (SE) MJ; P < 0.001] during the 12-km hill walk. Despite the difference in energy intake and expenditure, blood glucose concentration was maintained. The major source of energy was an enhanced fat oxidation, probably from adipose tissue lipolysis reflected in high plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations. The major observations were the varying thermoregulatory responses and the negative energy balance incurred during the hill walk. It is concluded that recreational hill walking can constitute a significant metabolic and thermoregulatory strain on participants.

Energy balance, metabolism, hydration, and performance during strenuous hill walking: the effect of age.

We aimed to examine the effect of age on energy balance, metabolism, hydration, and performance during 10 days of strenuous hill walking. Seventeen male subjects were divided into two groups according to their age. The nine subjects in group 1 constituted the younger group (age 24 +/- 3 yr), whereas eight older subjects were in group 2 (age 56 +/- 3 yr). Both groups completed 10 consecutive days of high-intensity hill walking. Mean (range) daily walking distances and ascent were 21 km (10-35 km) and 1,160 m (800-2,540 m), respectively. Energy intake was calculated from weighed food intake, and energy expenditure was measured by the doubly labeled water method. Blood and urine were sampled on alternative days to determine any changes in metabolism and hydration during the 10 days. Subjects also completed a battery of tests that included muscular strength (handgrip), jump performance, cognitive processing time, and flexibility. The younger group remained hydrated, whereas the older group became progressively dehydrated, indicated by a near twofold increase in urine osmolality concentration on day 11. This increased urine osmolality in the older group was highly correlated with impairment in vertical-jump performance (r = -0.86; P < 0.05) and decreased cognitive processing time (r = 0.79; P < 0.05). Despite energy expenditure of approximately 21 MJ/day, body mass was well maintained in both groups. Both groups displayed a marked increase in fat mobilization, reflected in significantly lowered prewalk insulin concentrations and elevated postwalk glycerol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations. Despite the dehydration and impaired performance in the older group, blood glucose concentrations were well maintained in both groups, probably mediated via the increased mobilization of fat.

Metabolic and performance responses during endurance exercise after high-fat and high-carbohydrate meals.

We studied the effects of preexercise meal composition on metabolic and performance-related variables during endurance exercise. Eight well-trained cyclists (maximal oxygen uptake 65.0 to 83.5 ml . kg-1 . min-1) were studied on three occasions after an overnight fast. They were given isoenergetic meals containing carbohydrate (CHO), protein (P), and fat (F) in the following amounts (g/70 kg body wt): high-carbohydrate meal, 215 CHO, 26 P, 3 F; high-fat meal, 50 CHO, 14 P, 80 F. On the third occasion subjects were studied after an overnight fast. Four hours after consumption of the meal, subjects started exercise for 90 min at 70% of their maximal oxygen uptake, followed by a 10-km time trial. The high-carbohydrate meal compared with the high-fat meal resulted in significant decreases (P < 0.05) in blood glucose, plasma nonesterified fatty acids, plasma glycerol, plasma chylomicron-triacylglycerol, and plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations during exercise. This was accompanied by an increase in plasma insulin (P < 0.01 vs. no meal), plasma epinephrine, and plasma growth hormone concentrations (each P < 0.05 vs. either of the other conditions) during exercise. Despite these large differences in substrate and hormone concentrations in plasma, substrate oxidation during the 90-min exercise period was similar in the three trials, and there were no differences in performance on the time trial. These results suggest that, although the availability of fatty acids and other substrates in plasma can be markedly altered by dietary means, the pattern of substrate oxidation during endurance exercise is remarkably resistant to alteration.

Coordinated regulation of hormone-sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase in human adipose tissue in vivo: implications for the control of fat storage and fat mobilization.

The enzymes lipoprotein lipase (LPL, EC 3.1.1.34) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL, EC 3.1.1.3) apparently catalyze opposing functions in white adipose tissue: the former is concerned with fat storage, the latter with fat mobilization. We have studied their regulation in vivo in normal subjects in the postabsorptive state and after eating meals of different compositions, by measurement of arteriovenous concentration differences for triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acids and glycerol across a subcutaneous adipose depot. The two enzymes are regulated in a broadly reciprocal manner: in the overnight-fasted state, HSL is more active, but after a meal HSL is suppressed whilst LPL is activated. The movement of fatty acids in and out of adipose tissue appears to be driven by concentration gradients generated by regulation of these two enzymes, and also by activation, in the postprandial period, of the process of fatty acid esterification. The results show some interesting and perhaps unexpected features of metabolic regulation. Of the fatty acids generated by the action of LPL on circulating TAG, a large proportion is released directly into the venous plasma: close to 100% in the overnight-fasted state, and 50% or more at the peak of LPL action after a meal, making what appear reasonable assumptions. We suggest that this apparent 'inefficiency' of fat storage reflects the energetic cost of maintaining precise control over such a fundamental process. Although LPL is usually thought of as the enzyme regulating fat deposition, in fact the fatty acids and glycerol it releases from circulating TAG represent a substantial proportion of those released from adipose tissue, especially in the postprandial state. In addition, although HSL is considered the enzyme responsible for fat mobilization, suppression of its activity is essential to normal regulation of fat deposition. Thus, fat storage and fat mobilization during normal daily life are controlled by coordinated regulation of a number of enzymatic processes in white adipose tissue.

Mono-, di- and triacylglycerol concentrations in human plasma: effects of heparin injection and of a high-fat meal.

A sensitive method has been developed to measure specific mono-, di- and triacylglycerol concentrations in human plasma, using thin-layer chromatography and enzymatic assay. The levels of partial acylglycerols in human plasma from fasting subjects were lower than previous reports had suggested and amounted to less than 3% of the total acylglycerols. After heparin injection the plasma monoacylglycerol concentration increased markedly (P < 0.01) while the triacylglycerol concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.001). The plasma diacylglycerol concentration did not change significantly although it increased as a percentage of the total (P < 0.05); after heparin partial acylglycerols accounted for more than 10% of the total. After a high-fat meal the plasma concentrations of di- and triacylglycerol increased approximately two-fold (P < 0.005) but no significant change was observed for mono-acylglycerol. The percentage contribution of partial acylglycerols was unchanged (2.6% fasting, 2.4% postprandially).

Human triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein subfractions as substrates for lipoprotein lipase.

In order to test the hypothesis that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) acts preferentially on larger lipoprotein particles, we determined the susceptibility of triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) subfractions to hydrolysis by LPL in vitro. Chylomicrons (Sf > 400), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)1 (Sf 60-400) and VLDL2 (Sf 20-60) were isolated from six subjects with a range of plasma-triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations following an overnight fast and for up to 6 h after the consumption of a mixed meal (41% fat). The percent of TRL-TAG hydrolysed by LPL in subfractions isolated following overnight fast was VLDL1 > VLDL2 (46.8 +/- 10.2 vs. 25.9 +/- 7.4%, P = 0.006) and 3 h after the meal it was chylomicrons > VLDL1 > VLDL2 (81.0 +/- 12.6 vs. 52.8 +/- 10.2 vs. 27.7 +/- 6.2%, chylomicrons vs. VLDL1 and VLDL1 vs. VLDL2, both P < or = 0.005). The percent of VLDL1-TAG hydrolysed increased both within and between subjects as VLDL1-TAG concentrations increased. This relationship could be explained by the positive correlation observed between VLDL1-TAG and VLDL1-TAG:apolipoprotein B. In conclusion, increasing the size and TAG content of a lipoprotein particle increases its susceptibility to hydrolysis by LPL.

Determinants of within-subject variation of fasting serum leptin concentrations in healthy subjects.

The hormone leptin is considered to contribute to body weight regulation through modulation of feeding behavior and energy expenditure. The aim of the present study was 1) to assess the day-to-day within-subject variation (biovariability) of serum leptin concentrations in healthy subjects and 2) to investigate whether this variation is associated with food intake, exercise, anthropometric measurements or various metabolic covariates (insulin, C-peptide and glucagon, glucose, lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB), triglycerides, non-esterified-fatty acids and glycerol). Serum leptin levels were taken daily on 12 consecutive days after an overnight fast in 12 healthy subjects with a mean (SD) age of 22.7 (1.5) yr. and a BMI of 22.8 (1.6) kg/m2. Food intake, exercise, anthropometric measurements and various metabolic covariates were also determined during this period. The overall mean of serum leptin concentration was 33.3 pmol/L with a within-subject SD range of 27-41 pmol/L and a between-subject SD range of 18-61 pmol/L. The within-subject variance of serum leptin as a proportion of total variance was 9.5%. Within-subject variation of serum leptin concentrations is small in relation to between-subject variation in healthy, normal weight subjects. This has implications for the power of interventional or prospective studies. In men, 6.7% of the variation in serum leptin concentration was associated with body weight measured on the same day (p= 0.037). In women, however, 66% of the variation was negatively associated with 3-OHB measured on both the same and the previous day (p=0.0003 and 0.002), and positively associated with triglyceride concentration measured on the previous day (p=0.0017) and insulin measured on the same day (p=0.0002). Within-subject associations in women could be due to phasic changes in unmeasured variables, possibly related to the menstrual cycle or might suggest that energy balance may exert a delayed influence on serum leptin levels, with plasma 3-OHB and triglycerides acting as markers for the state of the fat stores that regulate leptin secretion. The differences between the genders remain unexplained, however.

Plasma triacylglycerol extraction in human adipose tissue in vivo: effects of glucose ingestion and insulin infusion.

Extraction of endogenous triacylglycerol (TAG) was measured across the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal wall and across forearm muscle in 16 studies on 13 normal subjects. After overnight fast there was significant TAG extraction across both adipose tissue (4 per cent) and muscle (1 per cent). After 75 g oral glucose (8 subjects), there was a rise in the arterial TAG concentration to a peak at 60 min, with a concomitant increase in extraction across adipose tissue (to 9 per cent). During insulin infusion (8 subjects; plateau insulin concentration 50-55 mU/l) with the plasma glucose 'clamped' at the fasting level, arterial TAG levels fell steadily, and extraction across adipose tissue and muscle decreased. The ability to measure triacylglycerol extraction by adipose tissue in vivo opens up many possibilities for metabolic and nutritional studies.

Stability of plasma glucose during storage.

Plasma glucose concentrations were found to decrease during storage. This phenomenon was not method-dependent; it was demonstrated using both a Beckman Glucose Analyser 2 (based on glucose oxidase) and a hexokinase-based technique on a centrifugal analyser. The loss of glucose was typically of the order of 10% in plasma frozen for periods from 24 h to 14 months. Repeated freezing and thawing (weekly for 1 month) did not produce additional loss of glucose compared with aliquots thawed for the first time at 1 month. Fluoride did not reduce the loss of glucose. Glucose was also lost from frozen neutralized perchloric acid extracts of blood (mean +/- SD: 7 +/- 2 per cent over 1 year). We conclude that this variable loss of glucose on storage may complicate the interpretation of metabolic research procedures.

Selection of oral microbial adhesion antagonists using biotinylated Streptococcus sanguis and a human mixed oral microflora.

A microtitre assay has been developed using hydroxyapatite-coated wells and Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 10904 at 10(7) cells per ml. A number of models representing toothpaste and mouthwash usage were adopted to detect the anti-adherent efficacy of a polyvinylmethylether maleic acid copolymer (PVM/MA), polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene block copolymer (PO/EO), two casein-derived peptides and selected silicones. The results not only confirmed the anti-adherence property of the selected components but also indicated possible molecular interactions leading to the observed performance. To account for the diversity of oral microbial cells in vivo, a further testing system was developed. This involved submerging a hydroxyapatite disc in a mixed culture of human salivary microbial cells, and exposing it to different treatments using the active component either in an aqueous dispersion or in a toothpaste. The effect of toothpastes containing PO/EO, dimethicone copoyol or PVM/MA was investigated over a 4-h incubation with microflora. These tests showed that in a toothpaste formulation the anti-adherent efficacy may be reduced when compared with an aqueous dispersion containing the same or nearly the same concentration of the active component.