Decreased apolipoprotein A5 is implicated in insulin resistance-related hypertriglyceridemia in obesity

Hypertriglyceridemia is associated insulin resistance in obese people. Recently identified apolipoprotein A5 (apoA5) is involved in triglyceride (TG) metabolism. This study was to investigate the role of apoA5 in insulin resistance-related hypertriglyceridemia in obesity. 682 participants including 340 non-obese individuals and 342 obese individuals were recruited in this study. Plasma apoA5 levels were measured. The insulin resistance in participants was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). An insulin resistant and hypertriglyceridemic rat model was established by high-fructose diet with obese Zucker rats as positive controls. Besides, two insulin resistant models in vitro were induced by insulin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in HepG2 cells. Obese participants had lower plasma apoA5 levels. Plasma apoA5 levels were inversely correlated with TG, body mass index and HOMA-IR in humans. Furthermore, hepatic and plasma apoA5 reduced in fructose-fed rats whereas no significant changes of apoA5 were observed in obese Zucker rats. In addition, treatment of HepG2 cells with insulin and TNFα decreased apoA5 expression and increased TG content. Thus, decreased apolipoprotein A5 is implicated in insulin resistance-related hypertriglyceridemia in obesity.