THE EFFECT OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR ON THE REVERSION OF OMENTAL ADIPOCYTES FROM LEAN AND OBESE PATIENTS

Background: this study was designed to characterize some of the bioche mical and molecular genetic changes during reversion of human fat cell s. Methods: mature adipocytes were isolated from greater omental fat t issue of eight lean and 14 massively obese persons by established meth odology. Results: at day 7 of adherence to Leighton tubes, there was a ppreciable depletion of triacylglycerol, as well as assumption of an e longated contour. Relatedly, there was an increase in the expression o f beta-actin mRNA and a significant decrease in the specific activity of cytosolic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The decrement in the spec ific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, after 7 days in cultu re, was significant at p < 0.001. Basic fibroblast growth factor at 10 ngml-1 accelerated significantly (p < 0.03) the decrease in the speci fic activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in adipose cells from l ean subjects. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor had no signi ficant influence on cells from massively obese persons. Conclusion: su ch resistance may contribute to the intractability of massive obesity.