Potential Association of a Common L-FABP Polymorphism With Lipid-induced Hepatic Insulin Resistance

Liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is an abundant cytosolic lipid-binding protein that regulates lipid transport and metabolism. Only one common non-synonymous polymorphism (A227G) leading to an amino-acid exchange in the exonic region of the L-FABP gene has been previously identified. Experimental elevations of free fatty acids (FFAs) have been shown to impair insulin mediated suppression of endogenous glucose production (EGP). Deletion of the L-FABP gene shows no obvious phenotype in mice receiving a low fat chow diet, but leads to decreased hepatic triglyceride accumulation in the prolonged fasted state, which exposes mice to an increased fatty acid flux to the liver. The function of the L-FABP gene may be altered by polymorphisms in coding regions of the gene, probably leading to modifications in hepatic triglyceride accumulation and hepatic insulin resistance.We hypothesize that carriers of the A277G SNP, when compared to matched wild-type subjects, may show altered responses of hepatic glucose production upon exposure to increased peripheral fatty acid concentrations, as achieved by lipid / heparin infusions. Because it is known that free fatty acids potently increase insulin secretion, we use somatostatin clamps in our experiments, followed by replacement of postabsorptive insulin and glucagon concentrations.