Effect of Global ATGL Knockout on Murine Fasting Glucose Kinetics

Mice deficient in adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL(−/−)) present elevated ectopic lipid levels but are paradoxically glucose-tolerant. Measurement of endogenous glucose production (EGP) and Cori cycle activity provide insights into the maintenance of glycemic control in these animals. These parameters were determined in 7 wild-type (ATGL(+/−)) and 6 ATGL(−/−) mice by a primed-infusion of [U-(13)C(6)]glucose followed by LC-MS/MS targeted mass-isotopomer analysis of blood glucose. EGP was quantified by isotope dilution of [U-(13)C(6)]glucose while Cori cycling was estimated by analysis of glucose triose (13)C-isotopomers. Fasting plasma free fatty-acids were significantly lower in ATGL(−/−) versus control mice (0.43 ± 0.05 mM versus 0.73 ± 0.11 mM, P < 0.05). Six-hour fasting EGP rates were identical for both ATGL(−/−) and control mice (79 ± 11 versus 71 ± 7 μmol/kg/min, resp.). Peripheral glucose metabolism was dominated by Cori cycling (80 ± 2% and 82 ± 7% of glucose disposal for ATGL(−/−) and control mice, resp.) indicating that peripheral glucose oxidation was not significantly upregulated in ATGL(−/−) mice under these conditions. The glucose (13)C-isotopomer distributions in both ATGL(−/−) and control mice were consistent with extensive hepatic pyruvate recycling. This suggests that gluconeogenic outflow from the Krebs cycle was also well compensated in ATGL(−/−) mice.