Downregulation of peripheral lipopolysaccharide binding protein impacts on perigonadal adipose tissue only in female mice

Background and aims: The sexual dimorphism in fat-mass distribution and circulating leptin and insulin levels is well known, influencing the progression of obesity-associated metabolic disease. Here, we aimed to investigate the possible role of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) in this sexual dimorphism. Methods: The relationship between plasma LBP and fat mass was evaluated in 145 subjects. The effects of Lbp downregulation, using lipid encapsulated unlocked nucleomonomer agent containing chemically modifiedsiRNA delivery system, were evaluated in mice. Results: Plasma LBP levels were associated with fat mass and leptin levels in women with obesity, but not in men with obesity. In mice, plasma LBP downregulation led to reduced weight, fat mass and leptin gain after a high-fat and high-sucrose diet (HFHS) in females, in parallel to increased expression of adipogenic and thermogenic genes in visceral adipose tissue. This was not observed in males. Plasma LBP downregulation avoided the increase in serum LPS levels in HFHS-fed male and female mice. Serum LPS levels were positively correlated with body weight and fat mass gain, and negatively with markers of adipose tissue function only in female mice. The sexually dimorphic effects were replicated in mice with established obesity. Of note, LBP downregulation led to recovery of estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) mRNA levels in females but not in males. Conclusion: LBP seems to exert a negative feedback on ER alpha-mediated estrogen action, impacting on genes involved in thermogenesis. The known decreased estrogen action and negative effects of metabolic endotoxemia may be targeted through LBP downregulation.

Automated summary

This study found that plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels are associated with fat mass and leptin levels in obese women, but not in obese men. Downregulation of LBP in mice resulted in reduced weight, fat mass, and leptin gain in females after a high-fat and high-sucrose diet, while increased expression of adipogenic and thermogenic genes in visceral adipose tissue. Serum LPS levels were positively correlated with body weight and fat mass gain, and negatively correlated with markers of adipose tissue function only in female mice.