CD36 in myocytes channels fatty acids to a lipase-accessible triglyceride pool that is related to cell lipid and insulin responsiveness.

High levels of intramyocellular triglycerides are linked to insulin resistance and reflect conditions in which fatty acid uptake exceeds the myocyte oxidative capacity. CD36 facilitates fatty acid uptake by myocytes, and its level is increased in diabetic muscle. We examined whether high CD36 levels would increase lipid content and susceptibility of myocytes to fatty acid-induced insulin resistance. C2C12 myoblasts with stable fivefold overexpression of CD36 (+CD36) were generated and differentiated into myotubes. CD36 expression increased palmitate uptake, oxidation, and lipid incorporation but had no effect on cell triglyceride content. Importantly, glycerol release increased fourfold, indicating enhanced triglyceride turnover and suggesting that CD36 promotes futile cycling of fatty acids into triglyceride. When +CD36 myotubes were incubated with excess palmitate, CD36 enhancement of glycerol release was blunted, triglyceride content increased above wild-type cells, and insulin resistance of glucose metabolism was observed. In contrast to palmitate, oleate-treated +CD36 cells exhibited enhanced glycerol release and no alteration in triglyceride content or insulin responsiveness. Furthermore, increased expression of hormone-sensitive lipase was measured with CD36 expression and with oleate treatment. In conclusion, high futile cycling of fatty acids is important for maintaining low triglyceride content and insulin responsiveness of myocytes. The findings provide a new perspective related to the etiology of lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in myocytes.