Inter-organ proteomic analysis reveals insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-diabetic effects of cis-9, trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid in ob/ob mice

cis-9, trans-11-Conjugated linoleic acid (c9 t11 CLA) exerts anti-diabetic effects by improving systemic insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Levels of CLA in beef can be increased by feeding cattle on pasture. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a CLA-rich diet (0.6%?w/w c9 t11 CLA), presented as beef enriched with CLA or beef supplemented with synthetic CLA (c9 t11 CLA), for 28 days on molecular biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome, and adipose, hepatic, and skeletal muscle proteome in male ob/ob mice. Despite equal weight gain, CLA-fed mice had lower plasma glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acid, triacylglycerol and interleukin-6, and higher adiponectin concentrations than controls. c9 t11 CLA induced differential regulation of redox status across all tissues, and decreased hepatic and muscle endoplasmic reticulum stress. CLA also modulated mechanistic links between the actin cytoskeleton, insulin signalling, glucose transport and inflammation in the adipose tissue. In the liver and muscle, c9 t11 CLA improved metabolic flexibility through co-ordination between carbohydrate and energy metabolism. c9 t11 CLA may ameliorate systemic insulin sensitivity in obesity-induced diabetes by altering cellular stress and redox status, and modulating nutrient handling in key insulin-sensitive tissues through complex biochemical interplay among representative proteomic signatures.