Abstract
Background:
Alterations in adipose tissue lipolysis may contribute to the pathophysiology of obesity and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue lipolysis in humans.
Methods and results:
First, adipocytes obtained from nine normal weight and seven obese subjects were stimulated with Ang II (10−14–10−6 M). Glycerol concentration in the medium, used as an indicator of adipocyte lipolysis, was significantly reduced (∼20%) after Ang II stimulation in adipocytes from normal weight (P=0.04) and obese subjects (P<0.001). Based on these observations, adipocytes of seven additional obese subjects were stimulated with lower doses of Ang II (10−17–10−6 M) in the presence and absence of Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor blockade. Lipolysis was dose dependently inhibited by ∼20 to 25% after Ang II stimulation (P=0.001). AT1 receptor blockade completely abolished the Ang II-induced effects (P=0.35).
Conclusion:
Ang II directly inhibits abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis in normal weight and obese subjects via the AT1 receptor.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lafontan M . Fat cells: afferent and efferent messages define new approaches to treat obesity. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2005; 45: 119–146.
Arner P . Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes – role of the adipokines. Curr Mol Med 2005; 5: 333–339.
Kershaw EE, Flier JS . Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89: 2548–2556.
Schling P, Schafer T . Human adipose tissue cells keep tight control on the angiotensin II levels in their vicinity. J Biol Chem 2002; 277: 48066–48075.
Karlsson C, Lindell K, Ottosson M, Sjostrom L, Carlsson B, Carlsson LM . Human adipose tissue expresses angiotensinogen and enzymes required for its conversion to angiotensin II. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998; 83: 3925–3929.
Crandall DL, Herzlinger HE, Saunders BD, Armellino DC, Kral JG . Distribution of angiotensin II receptors in rat and human adipocytes. J Lipid Res 1994; 35: 1378–1385.
Schling P, Mallow H, Trindl A, Loffler G . Evidence for a local renin angiotensin system in primary cultured human preadipocytes. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999; 23: 336–341.
Goossens GH, Blaak EE, van Baak MA . Possible involvement of the adipose tissue renin–angiotensin system in the pathophysiology of obesity and obesity-related disorders. Obes Rev 2003; 4: 43–55.
Strazzullo P, Galletti F . Impact of the renin–angiotensin system on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2004; 13: 325–332.
Sharma AM, Janke J, Gorzelniak K, Engeli S, Luft FC . Angiotensin blockade prevents type 2 diabetes by formation of fat cells. Hypertension 2002; 40: 609–611.
Janke J, Engeli S, Gorzelniak K, Luft FC, Sharma AM . Mature adipocytes inhibit in vitro differentiation of human preadipocytes via angiotensin type 1 receptors. Diabetes 2002; 51: 1699–1707.
Jones BH, Standridge MK, Moustaid N . Angiotensin II increases lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 and human adipose cells. Endocrinology 1997; 138: 1512–1519.
Goossens GH, Blaak EE, Saris WH, van Baak MA . Angiotensin II-induced effects on adipose and skeletal muscle tissue blood flow and lipolysis in normal-weight and obese subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89: 2690–2696.
Rodbell M . Metabolism of isolated fat cells: effects of hormones on glucose metabolism and lipolysis. J Biol Chem 1964; 239: 375–380.
Hellmer J, Arner P, Lundin A . Automatic luminometric kinetic assay of glycerol for lipolysis studies. Anal Biochem 1989; 177: 132–137.
Johnson JA, Fried SK, Pi-Sunyer FX, Albu JB . Impaired insulin action in subcutaneous adipocytes from women with visceral obesity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2001; 280: E40–E49.
Campbell DJ, Kladis A . Simultaneous radioimmunoassay of six angiotensin peptides in arterial and venous plasma of man. J Hypertens 1990; 8: 165–172.
Perry CG, Palmer T, Cleland SJ, Morton IJ, Salt IP, Petrie JR et al. Decreased insulin sensitivity during dietary sodium restriction is not mediated by effects of angiotensin II on insulin action. Clin Sci (London) 2003; 105: 187–194.
Cabassi A, Coghi P, Govoni P, Barouhiel E, Speroni E, Cavazzini S et al. Sympathetic modulation by carvedilol and losartan reduces angiotensin II-mediated lipolysis in subcutaneous and visceral fat. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90: 2888–2897.
Acknowledgements
We thank Kerstin Wåhlén, Eva Sjölin and Freek Bouwman for excellent technical assistance. Losartan was provided by Merck Sharp and Dohme (Haarlem, The Netherlands).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goossens, G., Blaak, E., Arner, P. et al. Angiotensin II: a hormone that affects lipid metabolism in adipose tissue. Int J Obes 31, 382–384 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803388
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803388