Conclusion
EVs released by stressed adipocytes impair insulin action in neighboring adipocytes.
Results
EVs are isolated from the culture supernatant of adipocytes cultured under normoxia, hypoxia (1% oxygen), or exposed to macrophage conditioned media (15% v/v). EVs are isolated from the plasma of lean individuals and subjects with obesity. Cultured adipocytes are incubated with EVs and activation of insulin signalling cascades and insulin-stimulated glucose transport are measured. EVs released from hypoxic adipocytes impair insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and reduce insulin mediated phosphorylation of AKT. Insulin-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2) is not affected. EVs from individuals with obesity decrease insulin stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake in adipocytes (p = 0.0159).