Gene expression of PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha in human omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues is related to insulin resistance markers and mediates beneficial effects of physical training

• Published in: European journal of endocrinology Vol. 162; no. 3; p. 515
• Main Authors: Ruschke, Karen, Fishbein, Lauren, Dietrich, Arne, Klöting, Nora, Tönjes, Anke, Oberbach, Andreas, Fasshauer, Mathias, Jenkner, Jost, Schön, Michael R, Stumvoll, Michael, Blüher, Matthias, Mantzoros, Christos S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.2010
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise - physiology; Female; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Glucose Tolerance Test; Heat-Shock Proteins - genetics; Heat-Shock Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Insulin Resistance - physiology; Lipid Metabolism - genetics; Lipids - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Obesity - genetics; Obesity - metabolism; Patient Selection; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; PPAR gamma - genetics; PPAR gamma - metabolism; Regression Analysis; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk Factors; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Time Factors; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism
• ISSN: 1479-683X; 1479-683X
• DOI: 10.1530/EJE-09-0767

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are reaching epidemic proportions in Western societies, and they contribute to substantial morbidity and mortality. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and PPARgamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) system plays an important role in the regulation of efficient energy utilization and oxidative phosphorylation, both of which are decreased in obesity and insulin resistance. We measured the metabolic parameters and the expression of PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha mRNA using quantitative real-time PCR in omental and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissues in an observational study of 153 individuals as well as in SC fat and skeletal muscle in an interventional study of 60 subjects (20 each with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance, and T2D) before and after intensive physical training for 4 weeks. PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha mRNA expression in both fat depots as well as in skeletal muscle is associated with markers of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. PGC-1alpha mRNA expression is significantly higher in SC fat than in omental fat, whereas PPARgamma mRNA expression is not significantly different between these fat depots. Skeletal muscle and SC fat PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha mRNA expression increased significantly in response to physical training. Gene expression of PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha in human adipose tissue is related to markers of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Increased muscle and adipose tissue PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha expression in response to physical training may mediate the beneficial effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity.