Lipoprotein Lipase & Insulin

Your body stores fat in various sites of deposition known as adipose tissue. Your love handles didn't get there by mistake. Every extra calorie you eat, your body saves for energy in the event of starvation. The body is meant to survive and fat is the best storage form of energy. Lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme, and insulin, a hormone, both work toward the storage of fat.

The Action of Insulin

Insulin begins the process of nutrient storage. When insulin is secreted into your bloodstream, it signals your cells to take in nutrients and either use it or store it for later. Mainly, dietary glucose, fats and amino acids that are inside the blood are taken in. Carbohydrates can be stored as glycogen, but when stores are full, are converted into fat. Any unused nutrients are stored inside your muscles are turned into fat and stored as adipose tissue.

Lipogenesis

Lipogenesis is the term used for the mechanism involving the storage of fat inside your body. The process begins with the presence of insulin. This hormone acts as a catalyst that sets the action of lipoprotein lipase manufacturing into motion. Lipoprotein lipase bonds glycerol and free fatty acids together to form a triglyceride molecule, the main storage form of fat. Once a triglyceride is formed and marked for storage, it is escorted into the adipose tissue.

Regulation and Secretion of Insulin

The interaction between insulin and lipoprotein lipase begins when your blood signals that insulin is needed. After a meal, glucose and amino acids inside your bloodstream rise. This causes the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. The beta islet cells of the pancreas secrete the hormone, which prompts lipoprotein lipase.

Regulation and Secretion of Lipoprotein Lipase

Lipoprotein lipase is made inside adipose tissue cells. When prompted by the presence of insulin, chylomicrons, a type of fat, produce lipoprotein lipase. This is done by a molecule known as c-II apoprotein. Once lipoprotein lipase is made, it is moved into endothelial cells where it can begin to take action.