Plasma NEFA storage in adipose tissue in the postprandial state: Sex-related and regional differences

Aims/hypothesis: We recently reported that a small fraction of circulating NEFA is stored through direct uptake in subcutaneous fat in postabsorptive humans in vivo and that this pathway may favour lower-body fat distribution in women. Here, we examined sex-related and regional differences in storage of plasma NEFA in subcutaneous adipose tissue during postprandial conditions. Methods: At 1 h after lunch, men and women of normal weight received an intravenous bolus of ∼1.66 MBq [1-¹⁴C]oleate followed by timed subcutaneous fat biopsies. The preceding breakfast was either a normal- or high-fat meal; the high-fat breakfast was used to create postprandial oleate concentrations in the postabsorptive range. Results: Storage of the NEFA tracer in adipose tissue (dpm/g lipid) was greater in women; in both sexes abdominal fat stored tracer more avidly than femoral fat. A greater fraction of the administered tracer was stored in whole body subcutaneous fat of women than in that of men (27±3 vs 8±1%, respectively, p<0.0001). No significant differences in tracer storage were observed between participants consuming the high- vs normal-fat breakfast. Conclusions/interpretation: Postprandial NEFA storage in subcutaneous fat through direct uptake accounts for ∼25% of NEFA disposal in women, but for <10% in men in a wide range of circulating NEFA concentrations. It is greater in the upper- than lower-body subcutaneous fat, favouring upper-body fat accumulation in both sexes.