The Concentration of β-Carotene in Human Adipocytes, but Not the Whole-Body Adipocyte Stores, Is Reduced in Obesity

We have examined the concentration of beta-carotene in the fat of isolated abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes obtained from lean (BMI<23 kg/m(2)), non-obese with higher BMI (23 <= BMI<28 kg/m(2)), obese (BMI >= 28 kg/m(2)), and from a group of obese subjects with type 2 diabetes. The concentration of b-carotene was 50% lower in the adipocytes from the obese and obese/diabetic groups compared with the lean and non-obese groups. Interestingly, the total amount of beta-carotene in the adipocyte stores of each subject was constant among all groups. Triacylglycerol constituted 92 +/- 1% (by weight) of the adipocyte lipids in the lean group and this was increased to 99 +/- 2% in the obese group with diabetes (p<0.05). The concentration of cholesteryl esters was in all cases <0.1 g per 100 g of total lipids, demonstrating that mature human adipocytes have negligible stores of cholesteryl ester. Our findings demonstrate that adipocyte concentrations of beta-carotene are reduced in obese subjects. The lower concentrations in adipocytes from subjects with type 2 diabetes apparently reflect subjects obesity. Our finding that whole-body stores of beta-carotene in adipocytes are constant raises new questions regarding what function it serves, as well as the mechanisms for maintaining constant levels in the face of varied adipose tissue mass among individuals over a period of time.