Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acute Up-Regulation of Adipose Triglyceride Lipase and Release of Non-Esterified Fatty Acids by Dexamethasone in Chicken Adipose Tissue

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

The mechanism of adipose tissue lipolysis has not been fully elucidated. Greater understanding of this process could allow for increased feed efficiency and reduced fat in poultry. Studies in avian species may provide important insight in developing therapies for human obesity, as lipolytic pathways are highly conserved. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) cleaves triacylglycols, releasing non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) into the bloodstream. Glucocorticoids have been shown to elevate circulating NEFA. To determine the regulation of ATGL and regulator proteins comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) and G(0)/G(1) switch gene 2 (G0S2) by glucocorticoid, 36 chickens received an injection of dexamethasone (4 mg/kg). Saline was administered to an additional 12 birds to determine any effect of stress during handling. Dexamethasone-injected birds were harvested at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after treatment; saline-treated birds were collected at 4 and 6 h. Abdominal and subcutaneous adipose tissue and blood were collected. Gene and protein expression were analyzed via quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. Compared with the saline group, ATGL expression increased in birds injected with dexamethasone. When dexamethasone response was compared to the untreated group up to 6 h following injection, an increase in ATGL protein was observed as quickly as 0.5 h and increased further from 1 to 6 h. Plasma NEFA and glucose increased gradually from 0 to 6 h, reaching statistical significance at 4 h. These data show that ATGL expression is stimulated by glucocorticoid in a time-dependent manner.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ATGL:

Adipose triglyceride lipase

CGI-58:

Comparative gene identification-58

DEX:

Dexamethasone

G0S2:

G(0)/G(1) switch gene 2

GC:

Glucocorticoid(s)

NEFA:

Non-esterified fatty acid(s)

qRT-PCR:

Quantitative real-time PCR

References

  1. Zimmermann RJ, Strauss JG, Haemmerle G, Schoiswohl G, Birner-Gruenberger R, Riederer M, Lass A, Neuberger G, Eisenhaber F, Hermetter A, Zecher R (2004) Fat mobilization in adipose tissue is promoted by adipose triglyceride lipase. Science 306:1383–1386

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Haemmerle G, Lass A, Zimmermann R, Gorkiewicz G, Meyer C, Rozman J, Heldmaier G, Maier R, Theussl C, Eder S, Kratky D, Wagner EF, Klingenspor M, Hoefler G, Zechner R (2006) Defective lipolysis and altered energy metabolism in mice lacking adipose triglyceride lipase. Science 312:734–737

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Xu C, Jinhan H, Jiang H, Zu L, Zhai W, Pu S, Xu G (2009) Direct effect of glucocorticoids on lipolysis in adipocytes. Mol Endocrinol 23:1161–1170

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Matteri RL, Carroll JA, Dyer CJ (2000) Neuroendocrine responses to stress. In: Moberg GP, Mench JA (eds) The biology of animal stress, CAB International, Wallingford

  5. Masuzaki H, Paterson J, Shinyama H, Morton NM, Mullins JJ, Seckl JR, Flier JS (2001) A transgenic model of visceral obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Science 294:2166–2170

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cai Y, Song Z, Zhang X, Wang X, Jiao H, Lin H (2009) Increased de novo lipogenesis in liver contributes to the augmented fat deposition in dexamethasone exposed broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Comp Biochem Physiol C 150:164–169

    Google Scholar 

  7. Oh SA, Suh Y, Pang MG, Lee K (2010) Cloning of avian G(0)/G(1) switch gene 2 (G0S2) genes and developmental and nutritional regulation of G0S2 in chicken adipose tissue. J Anim Sci 89:367–375

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lee K, Shin J, Latshaw JD, Suh Y, Serr J (2009) Cloning of adipose triglyceride lipase in poultry and expression of adipose triglyceride lipase during development of adipose in chickens. Poult Sci 88:620–630

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD (2001) Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2 (–Delta Delta C(T)). Methods 25:402–408

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dupont J, Derouet M, Simon J, Taouis M (1999) Corticosterone alters insulin signaling in chicken muscle and liver at different steps. J Endocrinol 162:67–76

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Cahill GF Jr (1971) Action of adrenal cortex steroids on carbohydrate metabolism. In: Christy NP (ed) The human adrenal cortex, Harper and Row, New York

  12. Aranda A, Pascual A (2001) Nuclear hormone receptors and gene expression. Physiol Rev 81:1269–1304

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kim JY, Tillison K, Lee JH, Rearick DA, Smas CM (2006) The adipose tissue triglyceride lipase ATGL/PNPLA2 is downregulated by insulin and TNF-alpha in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and is a target for transactivation by PPARgamma. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 291:E115–E127

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Fain JN, Kovacev VP, Scow RO (1965) Effect of growth hormone and dexamethasone on lipolysis and metabolism in isolated fat cells of the rat. J Biol Chem 240:3522–3529

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Gruber A, Cornaciu I, Lass A, Schweiger M, Poeschl M, Eder C, Kumari M, Schoiswohl G, Wolinski H, Kohlwein SD, Zechner R, Zimmerman R, Oberer M (2010) The N-terminal region of comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) is important for lipid droplet binding and activation of adipose triglyceride lipase. J Biol Chem 285:12289–12298

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Yang X, Lu X, Lombès M, Rha GB, Chi YI, Guerin TM, Smart EJ, Liu J (2010) The G(0)/G(1) switch gene 2 regulates adipose lipolysis through association with adipose triglyceride lipase. Cell Metab 11:194–205

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Serr J, Suh Y, Lee K (2009) Regulation of adipose triglyceride lipase by fasting and refeeding in avian species. Poult Sci 88:2585–2591

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Serr J, Suh Y, Lee K (2011) Cloning of comparative gene identification-58 gene in avian species and investigation of its developmental and nutritional regulation in chicken adipose tissue. J Anim Sci. doi:10.2527/jas.2011-3897

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Lu X, Yang X, Liu J (2010) Differential control of ATGL-mediated lipid droplet degradation by CGI-58 and G0S2. Cell Cycle 9:2719–2725

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Edna Jaap Poultry Endowment Fund (K. Lee).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science, The Ohio State University, 2029 Fyffe Ct, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Julie Serr, Yeunsu Suh, Shin-Ae Oh, Sangsu Shin, Minseok Kim, J. David Latshaw & Kichoon Lee

Authors
  1. Julie Serr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yeunsu Suh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shin-Ae Oh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sangsu Shin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Minseok Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. David Latshaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kichoon Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kichoon Lee.

About this article

Cite this article

Serr, J., Suh, Y., Oh, SA. et al. Acute Up-Regulation of Adipose Triglyceride Lipase and Release of Non-Esterified Fatty Acids by Dexamethasone in Chicken Adipose Tissue. Lipids 46, 813–820 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3583-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3583-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation