Glypican 4 may be involved in the adipose tissue redistribution in high-fat feeding C57BL/6J mice with peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ agonist rosiglitazone treatment

Fat distribution affects the risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases. Glypican 4 (Gpc4) may be involved in the regulation of obesity and body fat distribution. The aim of the study was to explore whether Gpc4 affects fat accumulation and the possible mechanism. C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high-fat diet for eight weeks and treated with a peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, rosiglitazone, for another four weeks. The weight of inguinal and epididymal fat pads was determined. The Gpc4 mRNA and protein expression and two probable regulators of the Gpc4 gene, specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and Sp3 mRNA, were also measured. Mice treated with rosiglitazone showed a significant increase in subcutaneous fat weight compared with the untreated mice. The expression of Gpc4 mRNA and protein was significantly higher in visceral than in subcutaneous fat in all the groups. Compared with untreated mice the expression of Gpc4 and Sp3 mRNA in subcutaneous fat and the expression of Sp1 and Sp3 mRNA in visceral fat in mice treated with rosiglitazone increased significantly. The Sp3/Sp1 ratio was consistent with the expression of Gpc4 mRNA and protein in subcutaneous and visceral fat. The present study indicated that Gpc4 may play an important role in fat distribution, and this effect is perhaps regulated by the ratio of Sp3/Sp1 in the subcutaneous and visceral fat tissues.