Fatty acid binding protein expression in different adipose tissue depots from lean and obese individuals

Aims/hypothesis. This study investigated the expression of adipose tissue f atty acid binding proteins (FABPs) in subcutaneous and visceral human adipo se tissue depots from lean and obese individuals. Methods. Adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP) and keratinocyte lipid bind ing protein (KLBP) expression was quantified by western blot in subcutaneou s and omental adipose tissue from 20 obese and 9 lean individuals. RNA expr ession was quantified by Northern blot in the obese subjects. Results. In the obese subjects, ALBP protein and RNA expression was higher in subcutaneous compared with omental adipose tissue (increases of 31 +/- 1 4% and 40 +/- 13% respectively, both p < 0.05), whereas in the lean group, KLBP protein levels were 32 +/- 9% lower in subcutaneous fat (p < 0.03). Ho wever, the ALBP/KLBP ratio was greater in subcutaneous compared to omental adipose tissue from both lean and obese subjects: increases of 187 +/- 71% (p = 0.01) and 52 +/- 23% (p = 0.17) respectively for the protein ratio, an d 21 +/- 6% for RNA (p = 0.01, obese individuals). In lean subjects, insuli n concentrations correlated positively with the ALBP/KLBP protein ratio in both depots (both p:! 0.03). Conclusion/interpretation. There are regional differences in adipose tissue FABP expression, which could be influenced by obesity. However, the ALBP/K LBP ratio is greater in subcutaneous than visceral adipose tissue in lean a s well as in obese subjects. Investigation of adipose tissue FABPs could fu rther our understanding of the role of fatty acids in the insulin resistanc e syndrome.