The effects of short-term overfeeding on adipocyte metabolism in Pima Indians.

The effects on adipocyte metabolism of increasing daily caloric intake by approximately 60% for 14 days was studied in seven nondiabetic moderately obese southwestern Native American Indians. Mean body weight increased by 3.0 +/- 0.3 kg, without any change in average size of isolated abdominal adipocytes. Overfeeding resulted in a 58% increase (P less than 0.01) in mean fasting plasma insulin concentration, whereas fasting plasma glucose concentration remained constant. Basal and maximum (8 nmol/L) insulin-stimulated glucose transport rates by isolated adipocytes increased by 83% (P less than 0.02) and 110% (P less than 0.01), respectively, after overfeeding, associated with an increase of 118% (P less than 0.01) in the incremental response to maximal insulin stimulation. However, no differences in either the sensitivity (ED50 of insulin for the stimulation of glucose transport) or the responsiveness (percent stimulation by insulin) of glucose transport were seen in isolated adipocytes as a result of overfeeding. Maximum insulin-stimulated total glucose utilization rates by isolated adipocytes incubated at 5.5 mmol/L glucose were 63% greater after overfeeding, due to increases in lactate formation, triglyceride synthesis, and CO2 production. Mono125I-(Tyr A14)-insulin binding per cell and per cell surface area was similar before and after overfeeding. The lipolytic rate of isolated adipocytes, in the absence and presence of 25 nmol/L and 2 mumol/L isoproterenol, was decreased by 75% (P less than 0.02), 45% (P less than 0.05), and 27% (P less than 0.05), respectively, after overfeeding. However, overfeeding did not result in a significant difference in the sensitivity of antilipolysis to insulin.