Aims/hypothesis
We recently reported that a small fraction of circulating NEFA is stored through direct uptake in subcutaneous fat in postabsorptive
humans in vivo and that this pathway may favour lower-body fat distribution in women. Here, we examined sex-related and regional
differences in storage of plasma NEFA in subcutaneous adipose tissue during postprandial conditions.
Methods
At 1 h after lunch, men and women of normal weight received an intravenous bolus of ∼1.66 MBq [1-14C]oleate followed by timed subcutaneous fat biopsies. The preceding breakfast was either a normal- or high-fat meal; the high-fat
breakfast was used to create postprandial oleate concentrations in the postabsorptive range.
Results
Storage of the NEFA tracer in adipose tissue (dpm/g lipid) was greater in women; in both sexes abdominal fat stored tracer
more avidly than femoral fat. A greater fraction of the administered tracer was stored in whole body subcutaneous fat of women
than in that of men (27 ± 3 vs 8 ± 1%, respectively, p < 0.0001). No significant differences in tracer storage were observed between participants consuming the high- vs normal-fat
breakfast.
Conclusions/interpretation
Postprandial NEFA storage in subcutaneous fat through direct uptake accounts for ∼25% of NEFA disposal in women, but for <10%
in men in a wide range of circulating NEFA concentrations. It is greater in the upper- than lower-body subcutaneous fat, favouring
upper-body fat accumulation in both sexes.
Keywords Abdominal - Adipose blood flow - Femoral - Oleate tracer - Subcutaneous - Triacylglycerol