Paired Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue Aquaporin-7 Expression in Human Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Differences and Similarities between Depots

Context: AQP7 is considered to be the sole adipose glycerol channel, and its regulation is crucial for glycemia control. Objectives: In this work, we aimed to further characterize AQP7 in human adipose tissue in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D): 1) to assess AQP7 expression levels in paired abdominal adipose tissue depots (sc and visceral); 2) to relate it with gene expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism; and 3) to confirm that AQP7 is mainly expressed in the adipocytes. Design: We conducted a transversal study of gene expression in paired samples of sc adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Patients: Caucasian lean and obese subjects (n = 62, matched for age and gender) and T2D subjects (n = 11, matched for age, gender, and BMI with their control group) participated in the study. Main Outcome Measure: We measured AQP7 expression levels in paired SAT and VAT. Results: We have proved the presence of AQP7 mRNA and protein in the adipocyte rather than the stromovascular fraction o...