Age-related adipose tissue mRNA expression of ADD1/SREBP1, PPAR gamma, lipoprotein lipase, and GLUT4 glucose transporter in rhesus monkeys

Aging has been shown to have an effect on the capacity to differentiate pre adipocytes and on the expression of some genes expressed in adipose tissue. The mRNA levels of adipocyte differentiation-related genes were examined i n rhesus monkeys (Macaca Mulatta) ranging in age from 7 to 30 years. The ef fect of aging on the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated recept or gamma (PPAR gamma) adipocyte determination- and differentiation-dependen t factor 1/sterol regulatory element binding protein I (ADD1/SREBP1) CCAAT/ enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) lipoprotein lipase (LPL) GLUT4 glucose transporter and adipsin were examined by slot blot analysis. Signi ficant inverse correlations were observed between age and the mRNA levels o f PPAR gamma, ADD1/SREBP1, LPL, and GLUT4. The coordinate downregulation of these genes may be linked to the declining fat mass of senescent animals. There was no correlation between age and the mRNA levels of adipsin. The mR NA levels of these genes were not correlated to body weight or fasting plas ma insulin. These findings indicate that aging may have an effect on the ad ipocyte differentiation program and this effect appears to be gene specific .