A Thr94Ala mutation in human liver fatty acid-binding protein contributes to reduced hepatic glycogenolysis and blunted elevation of plasma glucose levels in lipid-exposed subjects

Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a highly conserved key factor in lipid metabolism. Amino acid replacements in L-FABP might alter its function and thereby affect glucose metabolism in lipid-exposed subjects, as indicated by studies in L-FABP knockout mice. Amino acid replacements in L-FABP were investigated in a cohort of 1,453 Caucasian subjects. Endogenous glucose production (EGP), gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis were measured in healthy carriers of the only common Thr94-to-Ala amino acid replacement (Ala/Ala94) vs. age-, sex-, and BMI-matched wild-type (Thr/Thr94) controls at baseline and after 320-min lipid/heparin-somatostatin-insulin-glucagon clamps ( n = 18). Whole body glucose disposal was further investigated (subset; n = 13) using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps without and with lipid/heparin infusion. In the entire cohort, the only common Ala/Ala94 mutation was significantly associated with reduced body weight, which is in agreement with a previous report. In lipid-exposed, individually matched subjects there was a genotype vs. lipid-treatment interaction for EGP ( P = 0.009) driven mainly by reduced glycogenolysis in Ala/Ala94 carriers (0.46 ± 0.05 vs. 0.59 ± 0.05 mg·kg−1·min−1, P = 0.013). The lipid-induced elevation of plasma glucose levels was smaller in Ala/Ala94 carriers compared with wild types ( P < 0.0001). Whole body glucose disposal was not different between lipid-exposed L-FABP genotypes. In summary, the Ala/Ala94-mutation contributed significantly to reduced glycogenolysis and less severe hyperglycemia in lipid-exposed humans and was further associated with reduced body weight in a large cohort. Data clearly show that investigation of L-FABP phenotypes in the basal overnight-fasted state yielded incomplete information, and a challenge test was essential to detect phenotypical differences in glucose metabolism between L-FABP genotypes.