# FFA Metabolism in Different Types of Human Obesity

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2024 · $672,547

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Our goal is to understand the mechanisms by which obesity, and specifically upper body/visceral
obesity (UBO), causes insulin resistance, Type 2 Diabetes and the other health problems. We study what
regulates the release of free fatty acids (FFA) from adipose tissue (lipolysis) in humans. For this application we
propose to complete the following Specific Aims: 1. We will determine whether impaired insulin-induced
suppression of regional lipolysis (measured by IC50) in UBO compared with insulin-sensitive control groups is
related to differences in adipocyte lipolysis protein responses. 2. We will determine whether the suppression of
regional lipolysis induced by niacin, acting independently of the insulin signaling pathway, is impaired in UBO
compared with insulin-sensitive control groups and, if so, if this is related to local differences in adipocyte
lipolysis-regulating proteins. 3. We will determine whether stimulated adipose tissue lipolysis resulting from the
combination of somatostatin infusion (to suppress insulin secretion) and intravenous epinephrine, is impaired
in UBO compared with insulin-sensitive control groups and, if so, if this is related to regional differences in
lipolysis and adipocyte lipolysis-regulating proteins. 4. We will determine whether the regional release of FFA
relative to glycerol as a measure of intracellular reesterification accounts for the differences in systemic FFA
delivery between UBO and non-UBO adults. Combined, we believe these studies will offer insights as to
whether adipose tissue lipolysis is abnormal in UBO specifically in response to insulin, or if there are more
fundamental issue with metabolic flexibility that relate to adipocyte size. By understanding what is different in
the process of lipolysis in UBO we hope to provide guidance as to what therapeutic strategies might be
employed to treat adipose dysfunction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10890856
- **Project number:** 5R01DK040484-36
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL D. JENSEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $672,547
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-08-01 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10890856

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10890856, FFA Metabolism in Different Types of Human Obesity (5R01DK040484-36). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10890856. Licensed CC0.

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