PPARγ ACTIVATION REGULATES LIPID DROPLET FORMATION AND LACTATE PRODUCTION IN RAT SERTOLI CELLS

GORGA A; RINDONE GM; REGUEIRA M; PELLIZZARI EH; CAMBEROS MC; CIGORRAGA SB; RIERA MF; GALARDO MN; MERONI SB

CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2017

0302-766X

Sertoli cells provide the structural and nutritional support for germ cell development. Sertoli cells actively metabolize glucose and convert it to lactate, which is an important source of energy for germ cells. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that Sertoli cells can oxidize fatty acids and it is assumed that this metabolic process fulfills their own energy requirements. Fatty acids are stored as triacylglycerides within lipid droplets. In this way, the regulation of fatty acid storage inconjunction with the regulation of lactate production may be relevant to seminiferous tubule physiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible regulation by PPARγ activation of lipid droplet formation and lactate production. Sertoli cell cultures obtained from 20-day-old rats were incubated with Rosiglitazone (10 μM), a PPARγ activator, for different periods of time (6, 12, 24 and 48 h). Increased triacylglycerides levels and lipid droplets content were observed. These increases were accompanied by a rise in the expression of genes that are involved in fatty acidstorage such as the fatty acid transporter Cd36,  the glycerol- 3-phosphate-acyltransferase 1 and 3, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 and perilipins 1, 2 and 3-proteins that participate in lipid droplet formation and stabilization. On the other hand, PPARγ activation increased lactate production. This increase was accompanied by an augmentation in glucose uptake and Glut2 expression. Altogether, these results suggest that PPARγ activation in Sertoli cells participates in the regulation of lipid storage and lactate production ensuring simultaneously the energetic metabolism for Sertoli and germ cells.