The importance of dietary fat composition on adipose tissue metabolism

Abstract

Neutral energy and macronutrient balances are needed for the maintenance of a stable body weight. High-fat diets promote fat accumulation. This fact is not only due to the induction of a caloric hyperphagia, but also to the failure to adjust fat oxidation in response to an excess of fat intake. This situation does not occur with carbohydrates. In addition, the fatty acid composition of dietary fat can also be an important factor determining the resulting level of body weight and body energy stores. The modifications induced in adipocyte membrane fatty acid composition and in stored triglycerides lead to changes in the efficiency of the lipid mobilization. On the other hand, the activity of lipoprotein-lipase and lipogenic enzymes can be modulated by some fatty acids. The fate of the different fatty acids is not the same. Some of them are preferentially oxidized, others are stored and others play a structural role. Finally, diet-induced thermogenesis is increased by certain fatty acids and that contributes to an increased energy expenditure.