The adipocyte-secreted protein Acrp30 enhances hepatic insulin action

Acrp30 is a circulating protein synthesized in adipose tissue. A single injection in mice of purified recombinant Acrp30 leads to a 2-3-fold elevation in circulating Acrp30 levels, which triggers a transient decrease in basal glucose levels. Similar treatment in ob/ob, NOD (non-obese diabetic) or streptozotocin-treated mice transiently abolishes hyperglycemia. This effect on glucose is not associated with an increase in insulin levels. Moreover, in isolated hepatocytes, Acrp30 increases the ability of sub-physiological levels of insulin to suppress glucose production. We thus propose that Acrp30 is a potent insulin enhancer linking adipose tissue and whole-body glucose metabolism.
Author(s): Anders H. Berg [1, 4]; Terry P. Combs [1, 4]; Xueliang Du [2]; Michael Brownlee [2, 3]; Philipp E. Scherer (corresponding author) [1, 3] Adipose tissue, in addition to [...]