Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro

Summary

Triglyceride lipolysis in adipocytes is an important metabolic process resulting in the liberation of free fatty acids and glycerol. Here, we provide a detailed protocol to measure basal and stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes and ex vivo adipose tissue from mice.

Abstract

Adipocytes store energy in the form of triglycerides in lipid droplets. This energy can be mobilized via lipolysis, where the fatty acid side chains are sequentially cleaved from the glycerol backbone, resulting in the release of free fatty acids and glycerol. Due to the low expression of glycerol kinase in white adipocytes, glycerol re-uptake rates are negligible, while fatty acid re-uptake is dictated by the fatty acid binding capacity of media components such as albumin. Both glycerol and fatty acid release into media can be quantified by colorimetric assays to determine the lipolytic rate. By measuring these factors at multiple time points, one can determine the linear rate of lipolysis with high confidence. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for the measurement of lipolysis in in vitro differentiated adipocytes and ex vivo adipose tissue from mice. This protocol may also be optimized for other preadipocyte cell lines or adipose tissue from other organisms; considerations and optimization parameters are discussed. This protocol is designed to be useful in determining and comparing the rate of adipocyte lipolysis between mouse models and treatments.

Introduction

Excess nutrients are stored in white adipose tissue in the form of triglycerides in the neutral lipid core of lipid droplets. Triglyceride stores are mobilized via lipolysis, a process by which the fatty acid side chains are sequentially cleaved by adipose tissue triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and monoglyceride lipase (MGL), resulting in the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) and the glycerol backbone^1,2. Lipolysis is activated by catecholamine signaling in the adipose tissue. Sympathetic nerve terminals locally release catecholamines, which bind to β-adrenergic receptors ....

Protocol

The use of all animals was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University.

1. Preparation of buffers and collection plates

1. Make 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) by dissolving 5 g of BSA in 100 mL of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) without phenol red. Gently stir the BSA to dissolve (shaking is counterproductive). Once the BSA is fully dissolved, filter-sterilize the media with a 0.2 µm filter. Store the BSA media at 4 °C for up to 1 month.
2. Make working concentrations of control and stimulation media. Control media: 5% BS....

Results

We measured the basal and stimulated lipolytic rate of in vitro differentiated adipocytes. Primary preadipocytes from inguinal white adipose tissue were differentiated into adipocytes by the treatment of confluent cells with 5 µM dexamethasone, 0.5 mM IBMX, 1 µg/mL insulin, and 1 µM troglitazone for 4 days, followed by an additional 3 day treatment with 1 µg/mL insulin. Cells were incubated in media without insulin for 24 h prior to the lipolysis assay. At time = 0h, the cells were washed once with PBS, then phe.......

Discussion

Here, we provide a basic protocol for measuring the rate of lipolysis in adipocytes and ex vivo adipose tissue. To quantify lipolysis, it is important to measure lipolytic rate in the linear phase. We use a serial sampling technique, where a large fraction of media is collected and replaced with fresh media at regular intervals. This semiconservative method allows for the addition of fresh BSA with FFA buffering capacity and delays feedback inhibition, extending the duration of linear lipolysis. This experimenta.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
24-Well tissue culture treated plate	Corning Inc	3527	Must be tissue culture treated for adipocyte differntiation
48-Well flat bottom plate with lid	Corning Inc	353078	Can be tissue culture treated
6-Well flat bottom plate with lid	Corning Inc	353046	Can be tissue culture treated
96-Well PCR Plate	USA sceintific	1402-9100	Any conical 0.2 mL PCR plate will be convenient
Bovine Serum Albumin	Sigma Aldrich	A9418	FFA free BSA such as A8806, is also commonly used. The BSA should not have detectable FFA, also lot to lot variations in BSA can impact the observed rate of lipolysis
CL-316,243	Sigma Aldrich	C5976	CAS #: 138908-40-4 availaible from other suppliers
CO2 incubator	PHCBI	MCO-170AICUVH	CO2 should ideally be set to 10% for adipose tissue, however 5% CO2 will also work
DMEM, low glucose, no phenol red	Thermofischer	11054020	Any phenol red free media should work, DMEM/F12, RPMI, but should contain volatile buffering capacity, i.e. biocarbonate
FFA-free Bovine serum albumin	Equitech-Bio, Inc,	BAH66
Free Glycerol Reagent	Sigma Aldrich	F6428
Glycerol Standard Solution	Sigma Aldrich	G7793	This can also be made by diluting glycerol to the desired concentration
HR Series NEFA Standard Solution	Fujifilm	276-76491
HR Series NEFA-HR (2) Color Reagent A	Fujifilm	999-34691
HR Series NEFA-HR (2) Color Reagent B	Fujifilm	991-34891
HR Series NEFA-HR (2) Solvent A	Fujifilm	995-34791
HR Series NEFA-HR (2) Solvent B	Fujifilm	993-35191
Microbiological Incubator	Fischer Scientific	S28668	Any incubator at 37C can be used
Nunc MicroWell 96-Well Plates	Thermo Scientific	269620	Any optically clear, flat bottom 96-well plate works
Silicone Laboratory Benchtop Mat	VWR	76045-300	Glass plate can also be used. Absorbant surfaces are not recommended
Spectrophotometer/Microplate Reader	Molecular devices	SpectraMax i3x	Any plate reader that can read at 540, 550 and 660 mm will work
V Bovine serum albumin	Sigma-Aldrich	810531
WypAll X70 Wipers	Kimberly-Clark	41200	Any high quality paper towel will work