Table 1.

Summarized effects of fatty acids on autophagy in adipocytes.

Type of Fatty Acid	PA Saturated Fatty Acid	OA Monounsaturated Fatty Acid	DHA, EPA Polyunsaturated, Omega-3 Fatty Acid	CLA Polyunsaturated, Conjugated Omega-6 Fatty Acid
Effect in the cell	Elevated ER stress markers: ATF4, CHOP, p-JNK and induction of UPR; increased ROS production; weakened leptin signaling pathways in adipocytes; promotion of insulin resistance.	Improved activity of insulin-induced signaling pathways; increased leptin expression in WAT; inhibited cellular ROS production.	Anti-inflammatory effect (reduced production of IL-6); induced lipolysis increased insulin sensitivity in adipocytes; reduced cellular ROS production; PPARγ agonists.	Anti-inflammatory properties; anti-obesogenic effects (lowering body fat and increasing lean muscle); diminished ROS production; PPAR agonists.
Effect on autophagy	Increased autophagy induction, but impaired autophagic flux.	Increased autophagy induction and increased autophagic flux.	Increased expression of autophagy markers.	Autophagy on basal level.
Conclusion	Increased autophagy activity may serve as a pro-survival mechanism, but in the case of PA, autophagy is also impaired, which can exacerbate adipocytes dysfunction.	Increased autophagy activity may serve as a pro-survival mechanism against cellular stress.	Increased autophagy activity may serve as a pro-survival mechanism against cellular stress.	No documented direct influence on autophagy, improvement of secretory profile and metabolic level.