Figure 1.

Fasting induced adipose-specific VEGF expression and liver Fgf21 expression. Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were either fed with chow diets ad libitum or fasting for various time periods (6 h, 12 h, and 24 h) as indicated. (A) Serum VEGF levels and (B) the mRNA expression of Vegfa in epididymal WAT (eWAT) (B), subcutaneous iWAT (C), interscapular BAT (D), liver (E), and muscle (F) as determined by real-time PCR analysis. The protein levels of VEGF in eWAT (G) and iWAT (H) as determined by western blot; (I) serum FGF21 levels as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and real-time transcription PCR analysis for Fgf21 mRNA expression levels of liver (J), eWAT (K), iWAT (L), BAT (M), and muscle (N). Serum FFA (O) and ketone bodies (P) levels. Data are mean ± SEM; n = 6/group. Statistical significance was evaluated by 1-way ANOVA with Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons to determine differences between each group. Labeled means without a common letter differ, P < 0.05. Abbreviations: BAT, brown adipose tissue; eWAT, epididymal white adipose tissue; FFA, free fatty acid; FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21; iWAT, inguinal white adipose tissue; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.