Work

Measuring In Vivo Adipose Tissue Kinetics in Humans Using the Deuterium (2H)-Labeling Approach

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: White adipose tissue is a highly plastic organ that is necessary to maintain whole-body energy homeostasis. The adipose tissue mass and changes in the fat mass or distribution are regulated by changes in the synthesis and breakdown (i.e., turnover) of adipose cells and triacylglycerols. Evidence suggests that the manner and magnitude of subcutaneous adipose tissue expansion (i.e., hypertrophy vs. hyperplasia) and turnover can influence metabolic health, as adipogenesis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and related diseases. Despite the potential role of adipose turnover in human health, there is a lack of knowledge about the in vivo kinetics of adipose cells. This is due, in part, to the slow turnover rate of the cells in adipose tissue and the practical complexity of directly labeling their metabolic precursors in vivo. Herein, we describe methods to measure in vivo adipose kinetics and turnover rates in humans through the consumption of deuterium (2H)-labeled water. The incorporation of 2H into the deoxyribonucleotide moieties of DNA in pre-adipocytes and adipocytes provides an accurate measure of cell formation and death (adipose turnover). Overall, this is an innovative approach to measuring in vivo adipose kinetics and represents a substantive departure from other in vitro assessments.

Source: Journal of Visualized Experiments

DOI: 10.3791/64883

Authors: Dereck Kibodeaux, Jonathan Savoie, Eric Ravussin, Mark Fitch, Marc K. Hellerstein, Ursula White

Institutions: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, University of California, Berkeley

Language: English

Topic: Adipose Tissue and Metabolism

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases