Decreased adipocyte glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and aquaglyceroporin-7 (AQP7) in adults with morbid obesity: possible early markers of metabolic dysfunction.

Purpose: Morbid obesity (BMI > 40) is often accompanied by metabolic disorders. In adipose tissue, serine/threonine kinase PKBβ/AktΙΙ plays a role in glucose uptake, mediated by glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). The insulin pathway also affects aquaglyceroporin-7 (AQP7), which mediates lipolysis-derived glycerol efflux into the bloodstream.