Propionate induces energy expenditure via Browning in mesenteric adipose tissue
File(s)
Published version (online)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Context:
Short-chain fatty acids, such as propionate, are produced from the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota and modulate adipose tissue (AT) metabolism to influence whole-body metabolic processes. Abdominal AT, critical in glucose and lipid homeostasis, is categorized into mesenteric, omental, and subcutaneous types based on its location. ATs display different metabolic phenotypes due to their distinct adipocyte lineages—white, brown, and beige. Recent evidence points to a significant effect of propionate on abdominal AT.
Objective:
Our study investigated the actions of propionate on the 3 types of human abdominal AT.
Methods:
AT from distinct depots (mesenteric, omental, and subcutaneous) were collected from 40 patients who underwent open abdominal surgery for cholecystectomy or explorative laparotomy. Tissue explants and isolated adipocytes were treated with 1 mM propionate to assess AT browning and metabolic homeostasis.
Results:
Propionate upregulated brown fat markers UCP1 and PGC1α in adipose tissue and mature adipocytes, particularly of mesenteric origin. Propionate exposure led to increased mitochondrial respiration and adenosine triphosphate production, primarily in mesenteric adipocytes, along with improved glucose uptake and reduced lipolysis and inflammation. In addition, propionate increased thermogenesis, glycolysis, and lipogenesis.
Conclusion:
The pronounced response of mesenteric AT to propionate underscores its potential as a therapeutic target for managing abdominal obesity and metabolic disorders.
Short-chain fatty acids, such as propionate, are produced from the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota and modulate adipose tissue (AT) metabolism to influence whole-body metabolic processes. Abdominal AT, critical in glucose and lipid homeostasis, is categorized into mesenteric, omental, and subcutaneous types based on its location. ATs display different metabolic phenotypes due to their distinct adipocyte lineages—white, brown, and beige. Recent evidence points to a significant effect of propionate on abdominal AT.
Objective:
Our study investigated the actions of propionate on the 3 types of human abdominal AT.
Methods:
AT from distinct depots (mesenteric, omental, and subcutaneous) were collected from 40 patients who underwent open abdominal surgery for cholecystectomy or explorative laparotomy. Tissue explants and isolated adipocytes were treated with 1 mM propionate to assess AT browning and metabolic homeostasis.
Results:
Propionate upregulated brown fat markers UCP1 and PGC1α in adipose tissue and mature adipocytes, particularly of mesenteric origin. Propionate exposure led to increased mitochondrial respiration and adenosine triphosphate production, primarily in mesenteric adipocytes, along with improved glucose uptake and reduced lipolysis and inflammation. In addition, propionate increased thermogenesis, glycolysis, and lipogenesis.
Conclusion:
The pronounced response of mesenteric AT to propionate underscores its potential as a therapeutic target for managing abdominal obesity and metabolic disorders.
Date Issued
2026-01-01
Date Acceptance
2025-05-08
Citation
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2026, 111 (1), pp.256-267
ISSN
0021-972X
Publisher
The Endocrine Society
Start Page
256
End Page
267
Journal / Book Title
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Volume
111
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. See the journal About page for add- itional terms.
License URL
Identifier
10.1210/clinem/dgaf280
Subjects
adipose tissue, SCFA, propionate, browning, thermogenesis Abbreviations: 2-DG, 2-deoxyglucose
AT, adipose tissue
ATP, adenosine triphosphate
BAT, brown adipose tissue
BMI, body mass index
BP, blood pressure
BSA, bovine serum albumin
ECAR, extracellular acidification rate
FFAs, free fatty acids
FFAR, free fatty acid receptor
HR, heart rate
IL6, interleukin-6
LC, laparoscopic cholecystectomy
MA, mesenteric adipocyte
MAAC, membrane setup for adipocyte culture
MAT, mesenteric adipose tissue
mRNA, messenger RNA
OA, omental adipocyte
OAT, omental adipose tissue
OCR, oxygen consumption rate
PPPD, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy
RT, room temperature
SA, subcutaneous adipocyte
SAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue
SCFAs, short-chain fatty acids
TNFα, tumor necrosis factor α
VAT, visceral adipose tissue
WAT, white adipose tissue ECAR, extracellular acidification rate
FFA, free fatty acid
OCR, oxygen consumption rate
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-05-12