Exercise training and the molecular regulation of lipid metabolism

M.J. Watt, T. Tsiloulis and A. Raajendiran, Department of Physiology, Metabolic Disease and Obesity Program of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.

Adipose tissue is a major regulator of metabolism in health and disease. Despite the knowledge that excess adipose tissue is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, the factors regulating adipose tissue development and function remain incompletely described, as do the consequences of ‘lifestyle’ therapies aimed at abrogating obesity-induced metabolic dysfunctions. In contrast to the well described effects of regular exercise training on skeletal muscle function and metabolism, relatively less is known regarding the molecular and functional adaptations in adipose tissue. Recent endeavours in understanding how endurance exercise training impacts adipocyte metabolism, the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile and adaptations of the adipocyte precursor cells will be reviewed, and the implications with respect to metabolic health will be considered.