De novo fatty acid synthesis and NADPH generation in equine adipose and liver tissue.

The research aimed to understand the process of fatty acid production within equine liver and adipose tissues, and identified the primary source of carbon in this process, as well as the main contributors to NADPH production in these tissues. The results suggested that mesenteric adipose tissue has more lipogenic, or fat-producing, activity than its subcutaneous counterpart, and that liver tissue has a low capacity for fat production.

Objective of the Study

• The study aimed to investigate the lipogenic, or fat-producing, capabilities of equine liver and adipose tissues. The primary objectives included determining the preference for glucose or acetate in de novo fatty acid synthesis, establishing the relative contribution of NADPH generating pathways in reducing equivalent production, and comparing the lipogenic activity of two different types of adipose tissue: mesenteric and subcutaneous.

Methodology

• The researchers used in vitro testing on tissue explants from the liver and the two types of adipose tissue. They used (14)C labeled substrates to trace the process of carbon incorporation into fatty acids.

Findings

• The results revealed that mesenteric adipose tissue had a higher lipogenic activity than subcutaneous tissue, meaning it was more efficient in producing fat. Liver tissue, on the other hand, showed minimal carbon incorporation into fatty acids, indicating low lipogenic capacity.
• Furthermore, the primary carbon source for fatty acid synthesis was found to be acetate, this conclusion was drawn from the appearance of the (14)C label in the lipid fraction and the observed low activity of ATP-citrate lyase, an enzyme involved in fatty acid synthesis.
• The study also found that in equine adipose tissue, the main contributors to the production of NADPH, a coenzyme used in anabolic reactions, were the pentose phosphate and isocitrate dehydrogenase enzymes.