Reduced SCD1 Activity Decreases Fatty Acid Re-esterification and Alters Markers of Glyceroneogenesis and Lipolysis in Murine White Adipose Tissue and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation of the role of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 (SCD1) in white adipose tissue (WAT) lipid handling. Using Scd1 knock-out (KO) mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with a specific SCD1 inhibitor, it was found that reduced SCD1 activity markedly modified major processes involved in WAT lipid handling, resulting in significant changes to triacylglycerol (TAG) levels and composition. Furthermore, fatty acid (FA) re-esterification was decreased, while markers of glyceroneogenesis and lipolysis were altered with reduced SCD1 activity. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that SCD1 has a key role in TAG metabolism, and that therapeutic or lifestyle approaches targeting a reduction in SCD1 activity in WAT may have strong benefits on whole-body lipid handling and, consequently, metabolic health.