Diet-Induced Obesity Modulates Close-Packing of Triacylglycerols in Lipid Droplets of Adipose Tissue.

Adipose-derived lipid droplets (LDs) are rich in triacylglycerols (TAGs), which regulate essential cellular processes, such as energy storage. Although TAG accumulation and LD expansion in adipocytes occur during obesity, how LDs dynamically package TAGs in response to excessive nutrients remains elusive. Here, we found that LD lipidomes display a remarkable increase in TAG acyl chain saturation under calorie-dense diets, turning them conducive to close-packing.

Diindoles produced from commensal microbiota metabolites function as endogenous CAR/Nr1i3 ligands.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the correlation between human gut bacteria and host physiology, mediated primarily via nuclear receptors (NRs). Despite this body of work, the systematic identification and characterization of microbe-derived ligands that regulate NRs remain a considerable challenge. In this study, we discover a series of diindole molecules produced from commensal bacteria metabolites that act as specific agonists for the orphan constitutive androstane receptor (CAR).

Chenodeoxycholic Acid-Loaded Nanoparticles Are Sufficient to Decrease Adipocyte Size by Inducing Mitochondrial Function.

Excess fat accumulation is not only associated with metabolic diseases but also negatively impacts physical appearance and emotional well-being. Bile acid, the body's natural emulsifier, is one of the few FDA-approved noninvasive therapeutic options for double chin (submental fat) reduction. Synthetic sodium deoxycholic acid (NaDCA) causes adipose cell lysis; however, its side effects include inflammation, bruising, and necrosis.

Depletion of IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 2 (IQGAP2) reduces hepatic glycogen and impairs insulin signaling.

The liver is critical in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, regulating both anabolic and catabolic processes. Scaffold protein IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 2 (IQGAP2) is highly expressed in the liver and implicated in fatty acid uptake. However, its role in coordinating either fed or fasted responses is not well understood.

Hepatic farnesoid X receptor is necessary to facilitate ductular reaction and expression of heme biosynthetic genes.

Background: Bile, which contains bile acids, the natural ligands for farnesoid x receptor (FXR), moves from the liver to the intestine through bile ducts. Ductular reaction often occurs during biliary obstruction. A subset of patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, an inherited genetic mutation in heme biosynthetic enzyme ferrochelatase, accumulate porphyrin-containing bile plugs, leading to cholestasis.