Isolation method and characterization of adipocytes as a tool for Equine Obesity Research – in vitro study.
Abstract: Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ; however, excessive lipid accumulation can lead to obesity and metabolic disorders, such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), characterized by insulin resistance, fat deposition, and increased inflammation. Despite the growing prevalence of obesity in horses, knowledge of equine adipocytes and their metabolic functions remains limited. The main objective of the study was to develop and optimize a method for isolating equine adipocytes and to characterize their metabolic activity. Using slaughterhouse-derived horse visceral adipose tissue, we developed a protocol to isolate mature adipocytes. Metabolic activity of cells was assessed by examining their sensitivity to lipolytic factors: isoproterenol (0.001-10µM), epinephrine (0.001-1µM), and forskolin (0.001-1µM)-and lipogenesis intensity after stimulation with insulin. We obtained mature equine adipocytes with diameters ranging from 50 to 160µm. These cells demonstrated full metabolic functionality, responding to lipolytic factors such as isoproterenol (all doses: p<0.001), epinephrine (0.01µM: p<0.05; 0.1-1µM: p<0.0001), and forskolin (0.001µM: p<0.0001). The adipocytes also responded to insulin from all tested species, with effects being dose- and time-dependent (after 2h human insulin 10nM, p<0.05; bovine 10, 100nM p<0.05 and after 8h all doses p<0.05). The presented method for isolating mature equine adipocytes is effective, yielding metabolically functional cells, which can serve as a valuable in vitro model for studying the effects of various factors on adipocyte function, contributing to a better understanding of equine adipose tissue dysfunction, particularly in the context of metabolic disorders.
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-04-07 PubMed ID: 40204088DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106354Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses a study aimed at developing a method for isolating adipocytes from horses and understanding their metabolic activity, to aid the study of equine obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Objective of the Study
- The main objective of the study was to develop and optimize a technique for isolating adipocytes (fat cells) from horses, and to study their metabolic activity. This research is part of efforts to better understand and treat obesity and metabolic disorders in horses, including Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).
Research Methodology
- The researchers used adipose tissue (fat) from horses obtained from slaughterhouses to isolate mature adipocytes. Adipose tissue serves as an endocrine organ, which means that it releases hormones into the blood that regulate various body functions. In cases of obesity, excessive fat accumulation can lead to metabolic disorders.
- The metabolic activity of the adipocytes was analyzed by studying their sensitivity to various lipolytic factors. These factors, which include substances like isoproterenol, epinephrine, and forskolin, are molecules that stimulate the breaking down of lipids (i.e., fat).
- The team also examined lipogenesis (fat production) in these adipocytes following stimulation with insulin, a hormone that plays a critical role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Findings of the Study
- The researchers were successful in isolating mature equine adipocytes of diameters ranging between 50 to 160µm. These cells demonstrated full metabolic functionality, as evidenced by their response to the lipolytic factors as well as insulin.
- The adipocytes responded in a dose- and time-dependent manner to insulin, confirming their functionality and metabolic activity.
Implications of the Study
- The findings present a new, effective method for isolating functionally active adipocytes from horses. These cells can be used as an in vitro model for studying adipocyte function and the impacts of various external factors.
- This research expands our understanding of adipose tissue dysfunction in horses, especially in relation to metabolic disorders. Such knowledge can contribute to the development of effective interventions for obesity and associated health issues in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Antoni KP, Natalia L, Maciej S, Leszek N, Małgorzata SS, Robert M, Maciej G, Ewa PO.
(2025).
Isolation method and characterization of adipocytes as a tool for Equine Obesity Research – in vitro study.
Vet J, 106354.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106354 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostructure, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: pawelbigi@o2.pl.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostructure, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostructure, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostructure, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołynska 35, 60-637, Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostructure, Poznan University of Life Sciences Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland. Electronic address: ewa.pruszynska@up.poznan.pl.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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