ABSTRACT
In recent years, adipose tissue has been recognized as a dynamic organ in that it produces several hormones/proteins (adipokines) in addition to energy storage in the form of triacylglycerides (TG). Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipokine that has been shown to be produced by adipocytes in a diff erentiationdependent manner. All the proteins required for the production of ASP are also expressed and produced by adipocytes. ASP directly regulates glucose uptake and TG storage by increasing glucose transporters (GLUT) on the membrane and via up-regulating diacylglyceride transferase (DGAT) activity, the rate-limiting step of TG synthesis. In addition, dietary fat (CHYLO) has been shown to stimulate ASP production. Th e identifi cation of C5L2 as the ASP receptor further supported the function of ASP as a hormone in lipid metabolism. Several fat-loaded meal studies in rodents have demonstrated that a loss in ASP or the ASP receptor function results in a reduction in TG clearance from circulation. Th e aim of this chapter is to give an overview of ASP production and function in lipid metabolism in association with obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
