Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) directly induces energy accumulation in adipose tissue in vitro. However, the importance of the direct effect of GIPR signaling on adipose tissue in vivo remains unclear. In the current study, we generated adipose tissue-specific GIPR knockout (GIPRadipo-/-) mice and investigated the direct actions of GIP in adipose tissue. Under high-fat diet (HFD)-fed conditions, GIPRadipo-/- mice had significantly lower body weight and lean body mass compared with those in floxed GIPR (GIPRfl/fl) mice, although the fat volume was not significantly different between the two groups. Interestingly, insulin resistance, liver weight, and hepatic steatosis were reduced in HFD-fed GIPRadipo-/- mice. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine that induces insulin resistance, were reduced in HFD-fed GIPRadipo-/- mice compared with those in HFD-fed GIPRfl/fl mice. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) signaling is located downstream of the IL-6 receptor and is associated with insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Expression levels of SOCS3 mRNA were significantly lower in adipose and liver tissues of HFD-fed GIPRadipo-/- mice compared with those of HFD-fed GIPRfl/fl mice. Thus, GIPR signaling in adipose tissue plays a critical role in HFD-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in vivo, which may involve IL-6 signaling.
© 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.