Elevated circulating fatty acids (FAs) contribute to the development of obesity-associated metabolic complications such as insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hence, reducing adipose tissue lipolysis to diminish the mobilization of FAs and lower their respective plasma concentrations represents a potential treatment strategy to counteract obesity-associated disorders. Here we show that specific inhibition of adipose triglyceride lipase (Atgl) with the chemical inhibitor, Atglistatin, effectively reduces adipose tissue lipolysis, weight gain, IR and NAFLD in mice fed a high-fat diet. Importantly, even long-term treatment does not lead to lipid accumulation in ectopic tissues such as the skeletal muscle or heart. Thus, the severe cardiac steatosis and cardiomyopathy that is observed in genetic models of Atgl deficiency does not occur in Atglistatin-treated mice. Our data validate the pharmacological inhibition of Atgl as a potentially powerful therapeutic strategy to treat obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Aims/hypothesis Dysfunction of lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue can substantially interfere with health and quality of life, for example in obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Therefore, it is important to characterise pathways that regulate lipid handling in adipocytes and determine how they affect metabolic homeostasis. Components of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway are involved in adipocyte physiology and pathophysiology. However, the exact physiological importance of the STAT family member STAT5 in white adipose tissue is yet to be determined. Here, we aimed to delineate adipocyte STAT5 functions in the context of lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue. Methods We generated an adipocyte specific knockout of Stat5 in mice using the Adipoq-Cre recombinase transgene followed by in vivo and in vitro biochemical and molecular studies.Results Adipocyte-specific deletion of Stat5 resulted in increased adiposity, while insulin resistance and gluconeogenic capacity was decreased, indicating that glucose metabolism can be improved by interfering with adipose STAT5 function. Basal lipolysis and fasting-induced lipid mobilisation were diminished upon STAT5 deficiency, which coincided with reduced levels of the rate-limiting lipase of triacylglycerol hydrolysis, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL, encoded by Pnpla2) and its coactivator comparative gene identification 58 . In a mechanistic analysis, we identified a functional STAT5 response element within the Pnpla2 promoter, indicating that Pnpla2 is transcriptionally regulated by STAT5. Conclusions/interpretation Our findings reveal an essential role for STAT5 in maintaining lipid homeostasis in white adipose tissue and provide a rationale for future studies into the potential of STAT5 manipulation to improve outcomes in metabolic diseases.

Murine hepatic carboxylesterase 2c (Ces2c) and the presumed human ortholog carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) have been implicated in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice and obese humans. These studies demonstrated that Ces2c hydrolyzes triglycerides (TGs) in hepatocytes. Interestingly, Ces2c/CES2 is most abundantly expressed in the intestine, indicating a role of Ces2c/CES2 in intestinal TG metabolism. Here we show that Ces2c is an important enzyme in intestinal lipid metabolism in mice. Intestine‐specific Ces2c overexpression (Ces2cint) provoked increased fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in the small intestine accompanied by enhanced chylomicron clearance from the circulation. As a consequence, high‐fat diet–fed Ces2cint mice were resistant to excessive diet‐induced weight gain and adipose tissue expansion. Notably, intestinal Ces2c overexpression increased hepatic insulin sensitivity and protected mice from NAFLD development. Although lipid absorption was not affected in Ces2cint mice, fecal energy content was significantly increased. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Ces2c is a potent neutral lipase, which efficiently hydrolyzes TGs and diglycerides (DGs) in the small intestine, thereby generating fatty acids (FAs) for FAO and monoglycerides (MGs) and DGs for potential re‐esterification. Consequently, the increased availability of MGs and DGs for re‐esterification and primordial apolipoprotein B48 particle lipidation may increase chylomicron size, ultimately mediating more efficient chylomicron clearance from the circulation. Conclusion: This study suggests a critical role for Ces2c in intestinal lipid metabolism and highlights the importance of intestinal lipolysis to protect mice from the development of hepatic insulin resistance, NAFLD, and excessive diet‐induced weight gain during metabolic stress.

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 14859 2017); Published: 22 March 2017; Updated: 25 April 2017 The affiliation details for R. Zimmermann, R. Zechner and R. Breinbauer are incorrect in this Article. The correct affiliation details for these authors are given below: Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 31, 8010 Graz, Austria.