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

Aim/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 similar to 1.66 MBq [1-(14)C] 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 similar to 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.