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Review
. 2017 Jan 17;8(1):173S-181S.
doi: 10.3945/an.115.011130. Print 2017 Jan.

The Role of the Novel Lipokine Palmitoleic Acid in Health and Disease

María E Frigolet  1 , Ruth Gutiérrez-Aguilar  2   3
Affiliations
Review

The Role of the Novel Lipokine Palmitoleic Acid in Health and Disease

María E Frigolet et al. Adv Nutr. .

Abstract

The monounsaturated fatty acid palmitoleate (palmitoleic acid) is one of the most abundant fatty acids in serum and tissues, particularly adipose tissue and liver. Its endogenous production by stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 gives rise to its cis isoform, cis-palmitoleate. Although trans-palmitoleate is also synthesized in humans, it is mainly found as an exogenous source in ruminant fat and dairy products. Recently, palmitoleate was considered to be a lipokine based on evidence demonstrating its release from adipose tissue and its metabolic effects on distant organs. After this finding, research has been performed to determine whether palmitoleate has beneficial effects on metabolism and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Thus, the aim of this work was to review the current status of knowledge about palmitoleate, its metabolism, and its influence on metabolic abnormalities. Results have shown mixed cardiovascular effects, direct or inverse correlations with obesity, and hepatosteatosis, but a significant amelioration or prevention of insulin resistance and diabetes. Finally, the induction of palmitoleate release from adipose tissue, dietary intake, and its supplementation are all interventions with a potential impact on certain metabolic diseases.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; diabetes; diet; fatty acids; insulin resistance; lipokine; obesity; palmitoleate.

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Conflict of interest statement

3Author disclosures: ME Frigolet is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Mexican Danone Institute. R Gutiérrez-Aguilar, no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Chemical structure of palmitoleate. Palmitoleate (16:1n–7 or 16:1Δ9) is a MUFA with 16 carbons. The double bond is located in the n–7 or Δ9 carbon, counting from the methyl-terminal carbon or the carboxylic acid end, respectively. The 2 isoforms of palmitoleate, cis and trans, are shown here.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Palmitoleate metabolism. De novo lipogenesis leads to FA synthesis and desaturation via SCD1, with consequent production of 18:1c9 (oleate) and 16:1c9 (cis-palmitoleate). Dietary carbohydrate and protein increase SCD1 activity and the generation of both oleate and cis-palmitoleate. Natural sources of cis-palmitoleate include macadamia nuts and fish oil. Dietary sources of palmitoleate are represented mainly by ruminant fat, which contains 16:1t9 (trans-palmitoleate) and18:1t11 (vaccenate), a precursor of trans-palmitoleate. Palmitoleate, oleate, and vaccenate can be stored in adipose tissue as TGs, cholesteryl esters, or phospholipids. Moreover, palmitoleate is now considered to be a lipokine because of its bioactivity and effects in the liver and muscle. SCD1, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
The autocrine and endocrine role of palmitoleate and its influence on metabolic diseases. Palmitoleate is produced in adipose tissue and exerts its lipokine actions in adipose tissue, the cardiovascular system, the liver, muscle, the pancreas, and other organs. These effects are associated with health or disease, or are as yet inconclusive with no connection to improvement in metabolic abnormalities. CV, cardiovascular; NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; ↓, decreased; ↑, increased.
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