Skeletal intramyocellular lipid metabolism and insulin resistance

Yiran Li; Shimeng Xu; Xuelin Zhang; Zongchun Yi; Simon Cichello

doi:10.1007/s41048-015-0013-0

Skeletal intramyocellular lipid metabolism and insulin resistance

Biophys Rep. 2015:1:90-98. doi: 10.1007/s41048-015-0013-0. Epub 2015 Oct 23.

Authors

Yiran Li¹, Shimeng Xu², Xuelin Zhang³, Zongchun Yi⁴, Simon Cichello⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China ; National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China.
² National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China.
³ Capital University of Physical Education and Sport, Beijing, 100191 China.
⁴ Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China.
⁵ School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086 Australia.

Abstract

Lipids stored in skeletal muscle cells are known as intramyocellular lipid (IMCL). Disorders involving IMCL and its causative factor, circulatory free fatty acids (FFAs), induce a toxic state and ultimately result in insulin resistance (IR) in muscle tissue. On the other hand, intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG), the most abundant component of IMCL and an essential energy source for active skeletal muscle, is different from other IMCLs, as it is stored in lipid droplets and plays a pivotal role in skeletal muscle energy homeostasis. This review discusses the association of FFA-induced ectopic lipid accumulation and IR, with specific emphasis on the relationship between IMCL/IMTG metabolism and IR.

Keywords: Free fatty acid; Insulin resistance; Intramyocellular lipid; Skeletal muscle.