Differential regulation of white adipose tissue lipolysis by dietary dairy protein, soy protein, and alpha-linolenic acid in male and female mice fed moderate-fat diets

White adipose tissue (WAT) lipolysis is an important metabolic process that is regulated by numerous dietary factors, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), dairy, and soy protein. This thesis sought to investigate the effects of these various dietary factors on WAT lipid metabolism in mice. Male and female C57BL/6 mice were fed one of four experimental diets containing protein from either skim milk powder or soy, and with low (1% of kcal) or high (3% kcal) ALA. Clear sexual dimorphism was observed whereby adiposity, lipolysis, and fatty acid (FA) re-esterification were increased in males fed high ALA diets compared to those fed low ALA, independent of protein source. Adiposity, lipolysis, and FA re-esterification were increased in females fed soy diets compared to those fed dairy, independent of ALA content. This thesis provides novel insight into the sex-specific regulation of WAT lipid metabolism by dietary proteins and ALA. ; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ; Dairy Farmers of Canada